2021 Grand National Pinstickers Guide
I'm not particularly good at doing introductions for these kind of things but having missed out on the 2020 Grand National, I can't wait for this year's renewal. One major thing of note is the disappointment that Tiger Roll isn't attempting the unthinkable in taking a third Grand National like Red Rum did. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I have putting this together for what is my highlight of the entire year. Every runner gets a write-up and are rated on a scale between 1 and 10 (zero wouldn’t be fair as every horse has some sort of chance).
Number Horse Age Weight Trainer Jockey
1. Bristol De Mai 10 11-10 Nigel Twiston-Davies Daryl Jacob
In terms of recent top weights to line up for the Grand National, Bristol De Mai would be one of the classier individuals to attempt the challenge and he finally has a crack over these fences having been touted for this race, and the Topham when a five-year-old in 2016, for some time.
Renowned for his love of Haydock, being a three-time winner of the Betfair Chase, he has given his connections a lot of pleasure throughout his career, including when third to Al Boum Photo in the 2019 Gold Cup, and arrives fresh having missed Cheltenham with this in mind. This season began with a resurgence when defeating Clan Des Obeaux in the aforementioned Haydock contest in November, getting into a rhythm that very few are capable of matching, before a solid effort when chasing home 2018 Gold Cup hero Native River in the Cotswold Chase at Sandown.
He will undoubtedly have his supporters, being a flashy grey who loves to get on with things, but how he is ridden will dictate what chance he has of winning. If he's given plenty of light and ridden handy, that will play to his strengths as seen to best effect usually at Haydock. That said, a more patient ride, if Daryl Jacob decides to give him every chance of staying the trip, might prove to be his undoing. The ten-year-old's jumping has fallen to pieces when ridden in this manner, most notably when falling in the 2018 King George suggesting he can get claustrophobic which, even around Aintree’s wide berth, would have to be a huge concern.
Rating 5/10
2. Chris's Dream 9 11-7 Henry de Bromhead Darragh O'Keeffe
A horse who boasts plenty of ability having won twice at Grade 2 level and gone close to landing a Grade 1 when second behind The Storyteller at the start of this season at Down Royal. However, his form has tailed off markedly since that performance with a below-par run in the John Durkan followed by a lacklustre effort when pulled up in the Ryanair at Cheltenham last time. Considering how well his stable's runners were doing at Prestbury Park, the fact he ran so badly, along with major concerns about him staying the trip here, makes him very easy to pass over.
Rating - 1/10
3. Yala Enki 11 11-3 Paul Nicholls Bryony Frost
In the days where most racing fans complain about not seeing top-quality performers often, and rightly so, Yala Enki is a rare individual who embodies the true meaning of National Hunt. He's no spring chicken, this being his 46th career start, but the 11-year-old is still able to produce terrific weight-carrying performances and is a huge credit to those involved with him.
The son of Nickname, a rare stallion who was a top-class jumper trained in Ireland by Martin Brassil, has been on the go since being a three-year-old, winning over fences at Lyon-Parilly in October 2013, before moving to England in the autumn of 2014. As he hadn't won over hurdles in France, his trainer at the time, Venetia Williams, opted to utilise that status by taking the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton in January 2016 before sending him back over fences the following season, where he ran out a very impressive winner of the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock in December.
His first attempt over a trip further than 3m2f saw him land the 2018 Grand National Trial, again at Haydock, in conditions that were barely raceable with that effort appearing to leave its mark for the rest of the season. Most horses would be forgiven for not retaining their enthusiasm for the game after such a slog but the fact he has since finished third in three consecutive Welsh Nationals, carrying 11-7 or more on each occasion, and won a brace of Portman Cups suggests otherwise.
Last season saw him join Paul Nicholls where he built on a pipe-opener in the Ladbrokes Trophy in the two races mentioned above and also finishing third in the Grand National Trial before missing out on an Aintree bid. This campaign, however, has seen him as good as ever with a narrow second at Cheltenham in November backed up, again, with the Welsh National and the Portman Cup before finding a step up in grade too much over a trip too short when fourth to Native River in the rearranged Cotswold Chase at Sandown.
In-between Cheltenham and Chepstow, however, a visit to Aintree for a crack at the Becher Chase saw him capsize at the first fence which would raise a slight concern. That said, his jumping, on the whole, is relatively sound and he doesn't seem the type who would return here and be frightened like some in the past. The ground might end up being a shade quick for him, but he has won on good to soft and there will be none staying on stronger than him in the closing stages. A definite each-way chance.
Rating – 8/10
4. Ballyoptic 11 11-1 Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies
A former winner at the Grand National meeting having taken the Sefton Novices' Hurdle back in 2016 who possesses a lot of ability and comes from a stable who have a superb record over these fences, with two National winners in Earth Summit (1998) and Bindaree (2002).
His breeding offers plenty of hope that he is the ideal Aintree type, sire Old Vic producing winners including Comply Or Die (2008) and Don't Push It (2010), but form figures of FF0 around the course doesn't inspire much confidence. There were signs of promise in the Classic Chase at Warwick, in what has been a disappointing season for him, but the advice is to look elsewhere.
Rating - 3/10
5. Definitly Red 12 11-1 Brian Ellison Henry Brooke
Finally makes his second appearance in the Grand National having been desperately unlucky when badly hampered in 2017 at Becher's first time and the saddle slipping which resulted in him being pulled up.
He was being prepared with this race in mind last year, running a nice race when fourth in the Becher Chase, and would have boasted solid credentials on the evidence of winning at Kelso in February 2020. The Charlie Hall at the start of this campaign saw him in clear need of the run and he was creeping into contention when falling on his next start in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle. Returning from a break, he went back to Kelso when a staying-on fourth to Cloth Cap and that effort should bring him on nicely.
He had arrived 10lb well-in when tackling the race back in 2017, but the veteran performer has been tremendously consistent over the years, winning 15 of his 37 races, and is certainly no back number despite his advancing years.
Rating - 9/10
6. Lake View Lad 11 11-0 Nick Alexander Brian Hughes
The 2019 Grand National saw this horse arrive in the form of his life, following victories in both the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle & the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby and a placed effort at the Cheltenham Festival, but he was unable to land a blow with conditions being too quick for him, eventually pulling up before the third last.
He didn't get his head in front on three occasions last season but managed to when landing the Many Clouds Chase over the Mildmay course in December when proving too strong for Santini and Native River, a contest that turned into a farce due to the fences up the home straight being omitted due to the low sun. However, he hasn't gone on from that effort, finishing a well-beaten fifth at Sandown behind Native River and he filled the same spot when struggling behind Cloth Cap at Kelso. This challenge appeared not to suit him in 2019 and he faces a stiff assignment on recent evidence, despite having had a wind operation and cheekpieces applied for the first time.
Rating - 3/10
7. Burrows Saint 8 10-13 Willie Mullins Mr Patrick Mullins
2019 Irish National winner who appears to be the standout for all-conquering Willie Mullins stable that sent out Hedgehunter to win this in 2005. He won at Fairyhouse despite being inexperienced over fences and was being prepared for last year's renewal before its cancellation. Each run this season has looked a stepping stone towards Aintree with regards fitness. His first run for over 11 months saw him blow up massively when second over hurdles at Clonmel, beaten 45 lengths by Mary Frances, before finishing sixth in the Galmoy Hurdle to Sam's Profile at Gowran Park in January.
His prep run over fences came in the Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse, a race Mullins always uses for his leading Aintree hopes, where he travelled and jumped particularly well until getting tired between the final two fences behind his re-opposing stablemate Acapella Bourgeois. The habit of him going out to his right at obstacles was a slight issue but, having watched back the Irish National in a much bigger field, his jumping was generally straighter, as he had less room to manoeuvre, so the return to a hurly-burly style contest should ease those worries. He ticks plenty of boxes and the suspicion is we may not have seen the best of him yet. Big chance.
Rating – 9/10
8. Magic Of Light 10 10-13 Jessica Harrington Robbie Power
Nickel Coin was the last mare to win the race back in 1951 and Magic Of Light gave it her best shot when only finding Tiger Roll too strong when runner-up in 2019, despite her jumping leaving a bit to be desired on occasions. Last season obviously revolved around a return to Merseyside, as she showcased her prowess when winning against her own sex at Newbury in December 2019, but it may have been a blessing in disguise that the event was cancelled 12 months ago as she would have arrived with a point to prove following a below-par effort over hurdles at Navan in February.
She has followed a similar campaign this time around having won again just before Christmas at Newbury before finding Roksana to be a cut above the opposition when runner-up at Ascot over hurdles in January. A tilt at the inaugural running of the Mares' Chase showed that she wants a lot further than 2m4f these days as she was outpaced at the top of the hill, but she wasn't knocked about by Robbie Power once her chance had gone. That effort will have left her spot on for her attempt to go one better than two years ago and another bold bid appears to be on the cards.
Rating – 8/10
9. Acapella Bourgeois 11 10-12 Willie Mullins Danny Mullins
A likely front-runner who has threatened several times in his career that he could be a top-class individual, including when in the care of Sandra Hughes when winning Graded contests in both novice disciplines. Since joining Willie Mullins, his highlight would be back-to-back victories in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse and he arrives having claimed the scalp of stable companion and one of the ante-post favourites for this, Burrows Saint, in February.
That performance entitles him to run in this but, despite finishing third in the 2019 Irish National to Burrows Saint, the impression left is that the 11-year-old would prove a lot happier dominating a smaller field than what he encounters on this occasion.
Rating – 6/10
10. Talkischeap 9 10-12 Alan King Tom Cannon
It's unusual to see a Grand National contender having one of his prep runs on the fibresand at Southwell in a novice event on the Flat but the nine-year-old did just that on his return to the track this campaign when finishing fourth in January. He then placed in a Jumpers' Bumper at Lingfield before switching to fences when finishing last at Kempton in February.
He'd looked an ideal contender for a future National when taking the 2019 Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown on decent ground but he has clearly had his issues, most notably having wind surgery after his return to action in November of that year, and has a lot to prove.
Rating – 3/10
11. Tout Est Permis 8 10-12 Noel Meade Sean Flanagan
Another of the greys in the line-up who progressed nicely up the handicap ranks a couple of seasons ago when he made a mockery of his mark in landing the Troytown at Navan in November 2018. Last season saw him mix and match over both kind of obstacles with him finishing a good third in the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival.
A couple of placed efforts behind The Storyteller in the autumn would offer some encouragement, but he has gradually tailed off in terms of form and his most recent effort, when falling at Down Royal after not jumping that fluently, leaves him with plenty to find.
Rating – 2/10
12. Anibale Fly 11 10-12 Tony Martin Denis O'Regan
A well-handicapped horse on the pick of his form, twice-placed in the Gold Cup, third in 2018 and second in 2019, Anibale Fly has usually arrived here following arduous races at Cheltenham, but this season has proven completely different in that regard.
Instead, he comes into this off one run, when last in the Bobbyjo to Acapella Bourgeois in February, which raises question marks about his well-being. Particularly as in seasons gone by, he had been kept busy by connections in building up towards the spring Festivals. The suspicion is that he's had his chance of victory and others appeal more.
Rating - 5/10
13. Mister Malarky 8 10-12 Colin Tizzard Jonjo O'Neill Jr
Dubacilla finished fourth back in 1995 for owner-breeder Henry Cole, following on from her half-brother, Just So, who had filled the runner-up spot the year before, and that family is finally represented once again with her grandson, Mister Malarky.
Just like his relatives, he needed some time to mature. A season over hurdles offered up one victory in seven starts but the switch to chasing brought about instant progression. He was one of the most improved horses in training during the 2018-19 campaign, moving up 24lb in the handicap due to three victories, including the Reynoldstown at Ascot, and ending his season with some fine performances in defeat at both Cheltenham, when fourth in a red-hot RSA, and second in a competitive handicap over the Mildmay course here.
The first half of last season saw him not kick on as expected until he finally turned a corner in a Grade 3 handicap at Kempton, formerly known as the Racing Plus Chase, before similar happened at the start of this campaign. However, a win in the Silver Cup at Ascot before Christmas and his recent third in the aforementioned Kempton contest showcase that he can be very competitive in these staying handicap chases.
While having never facing a trip this far to date, his pedigree definitely offers hope that there could be further improvement to come and, despite his inconsistency, a big run is expected for a team who despite having no winners at the Cheltenham Festival, can take solace in their horses performing with credit.
Rating – 9/10
14. Kimberlite Candy 9 10-10 Tom Lacey Richie McLernon
A horse who has improved plenty since having cheekpieces applied last season here in the Becher Chase, when second to Walk In The Mill, before underlining further his Grand National credentials with a runaway success in the Classic Chase at Warwick. He was well fancied for last year's contest as a result of that success, despite the handicapper giving him 13lb for that victory, until its cancellation.
His sole outing this season came back over these fences when filling the runner-up spot once again behind Vieux Lion Rouge in the Becher Chase. He was fairly weak in the market that day, suggesting the run was needed, but still emerged with plenty of credit having jumped well in the main. Connections have kept him fresh, some of his best performances coming after a break, but that approach for such an arduous test has, over the years, not worked out well for win purposes.
Yes, horses have placed with limited appearances during the season. Clan Royal, for the same owner, won the Becher Chase as his sole run before finishing second to Amberleigh House in 2004, Mely Moss, runner-up in 2000, and State Of Play, who finished fourth in 2011, hadn't even run in that season (which isn't allowed these days), but match practice appears to be the key for National winners and that would be a concern. Add in the fact the ground is likely to be on the faster side, all of his best form coming on soft ground, and he's one near the head of the market that has questions to answer.
Rating – 6/10
15. Any Second Now 9 10-9 Ted Walsh Mark Walsh
From a limited amount of runners, just seven horses with a combined total of 11 appearances between them, anything Ted Walsh sends over for the Grand National has to command plenty of respect. Bar Roc De Prince, a no hoper in 1992, and Rince Ri, who was long past his best in 2006, all of his other runners have ended up near the head of the market.
Seabass was sent off 8/1 joint favourite when third in 2012 and outright favourite at 11/2 the following year, with his other runner Colbert Station also well fancied at 12/1, when finishing down the field. Jack High was a popular choice in 2006, sent off 9/1, before unseating at the Chair and let's not forget Papillon, who was subject to a major gamble when giving Ruby Walsh a day he will never forget in 2000, having been backed in from 33/1 the day before to 10/1. Just like the aforementioned quartet, Any Second Now has been well backed for the second year in succession having been one of the favourites until it was cancelled.
Best known at the beginning of his career for a shock 66/1 victory on his racecourse debut at Navan in December 2016, he followed that up with a Grade 2 success at Punchestown before switching to fences later in the year when running some decent races despite not getting his head in front in his first season, his second to Footpad in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown the highlight.
The 2019 Kim Muir at the Cheltenham finally saw him shed the maiden tag over fences and last season's build up towards Aintree went to plan with a string of consistent efforts before dropping back to the minimum distance to win at Naas in February. The campaign mapped out over the past few months saw him have a couple of spins over hurdles before pulling up on atrocious ground in the Thyestes at Gowran. With the weights announced in February, he stepped forward considerably with an impressive victory in the Webster Cup, again over 2m, at Navan, beating a useful type in Castlegrace Paddy by 10 lengths.
His trainer isn't afraid of an unorthodox preparation, both Papillon and Seabass had strong form over shorter distances, and the fact he stayed so well in the 2019 Kim Muir over 3m2f suggests he has the ideal profile for the race. Jumping has rarely been an issue during his career, bar a fall in the 2019 Irish National, so confidence is high with him ticking plenty of boxes.
Rating – 10/10
16. Balko Des Flos 10 10-9 Henry de Bromhead Aidan Coleman
2018 Ryanair Chase winner who has never scaled those heights since that stunning display when proving too strong for Un De Sceaux. His last respectable effort came here in the 2019 Betway Bowl when third to Kemboy and connections were hoping a change of scenery to the cross-country sphere would make a difference to him when seen at Cheltenham last month.
The plan didn't come to fruition as he landed too steep at the cheese wedges, giving Rachael Blackmore no chance to keep the partnership intact, and unseated rider. He recently sold for £110,000 to a new syndicate, no comments on that here, and, on the face of it, has plenty to find with the step up in trip unlikely to benefit him.
Rating - 3/10
17. Alpha Des Obeaux 11 10-9 Denise Foster Jody McGarvey
Once a smart hurdler for Mouse Morris, where he finished runner-up in the 2016 Stayers' Hurdle to Thistlecrack, he tried this race when with his former handler back in 2018 but suffered a heavy fall at the Chair having taken to the challenge well.
After that, the son of Saddler Maker joined Gordon Elliott where he became more consistent in holding his form and showed no ill-effects of his 2018 fall when finishing third in the 2019 Becher Chase. However, he has been running poorly this season and despite his recent fourth to Tiger Roll in the cross-country at Cheltenham, others are likely to have his measure.
Rating – 4/10
18. Ok Corral 11 10-8 Nicky Henderson Mr Derek O'Connor
The pressure's finally off Nicky Henderson after his quest for Grand National glory came true in 2019. Unfortunately for him, it was the American equivalent, run over 2m5f and won by Brain Power who wouldn't get 3m, let alone 4m2f, in any scenario and grave doubts would be warranted had he ever tackled these unique fences.
His sole representative this year, Ok Corral, has always shown plenty of ability throughout his career despite not being the most robust of individuals. His bumper form was particularly strong, a second to Yorkhill at Punchestown in April 2015 earmarking him as potentially a very smart performer, but niggly issues kept him off the track for over two years, eventually making his hurdling debut at Kempton in May 2017 in which he won effortlessly.
A second in the Albert Bartlett the following March was his best performance over timber before a switch to chasing where success at Warwick earned him ante-post favouritism in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham but he was never able to land a blow and was ultimately pulled up. The Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury, where he was fancied to go close the following season, saw him race far too freely and he was beginning to head towards the frustrating category, his next start at Cheltenham backing that up, but he returned to form when landing the Skybet Chase at Doncaster when seemingly improving for a sounder surface.
He has only raced once this season in what was just a pipe-opener, that ensured he qualified to run in the race, but he showed very little, making numerous mistakes in rear before pulling up in the Ultima at Cheltenham and returning lame. That kind of preparation doesn't offer much hope in his chances and stamina limitations means he is unlikely to be the one to break his trainer's Aintree hoodoo.
Rating – 3/10
19. Takingrisks 12 10-7 Nicky Richards Sean Quinlan
A former Scottish National winner in 2019, when having the favourite Cloth Cap back in third, who has shown himself to be as well as ever this season with his last couple of performances, a fourth in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle backed up by him landing the Skybet Chase at Doncaster.
A hugely likeable individual, having also won the 2019 Rehearsal, who is likely to run a big race and the fact he is unexposed in terms of a stamina test of this nature could unlock further improvement. He could very easily sneak into the placings.
Rating – 7/10
20. Shattered Love 10 10-7 Denise Foster Kevin Sexton
A mare who was once a top-class novice chaser having won twice at the highest level, including success in the 2018 JLT at the Cheltenham Festival, before chasing home dual-Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo in the Ryanair Gold Cup at Fairyhouse. She also ran Min close when runner-up to him in the following season's John Durkan but her form since that performance has been hit and miss.
This season has mostly seen her in decent form, albeit those efforts have come against her own sex, with a victory at Clonmel backed up with a placed effort behind Elimay over an inadequate 2m at Naas and when third in the Mares' Chase to Colreevy at Cheltenham.
However, she was fancied to give a strong account in the 2019 Irish National but was pulled up without getting involved and the likelihood is that she needs a small field to show her best form.
Rating - 4/10
21. Jett 10 10-7 Jessica Harrington Mr Sam Waley-Cohen
Bought specifically to run in the Grand National by his owner Robert Waley-Cohen last year, he had caught the eye on a few occasions with this in mind, including when getting the better of Alpha Des Obeaux at Punchestown in October 2019 and his fourth to Delta Work in the Irish Gold Cup last February.
However, his recent performances haven't cut the ice and although he jumped these fences well enough when running in the Becher Chase in December, the fact he hasn't seemed to finish any of his races off this season, including when tried in blinkers at Thurles last month, tempers any enthusiasm despite the yard's form improving over the past few days.
Rating - 2/10
22. Lord Du Mesnil 8 10-6 Richard Hobson Nick Scholfield
One of the biggest improvers during the 2019/2020 season, Lord Du Mesnil went up 38lb in the handicap, having won three of his seven outings and finishing second on each other occasion, with success involving a brace of staying chases at Haydock in the space of nine days, taking both the Tommy Whittle and The Last Fling. Following those victories, he stepped forward again in defeat with fine efforts in both the Grand National Trial and the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham.
The eight-year-old appeared to need some time to come to hand with a spin over hurdles and a run in the Grand Sefton getting him to the Welsh National where he didn't perform up to scratch. However, a return to front-running tactics brought out the best in him when returning to Haydock for the Grand National Trial in February as he toughed it out in the closing stages. As a result he is 5lb well-in on this occasion, but he will need to jump these fences better than he did in December and the lack of rain is definitely not in his favour.
Rating – 5/10
23. Potters Corner 11 10-6 Christian Williams Jack Tudor
In years to come, the quiz question “Who won the 2020 Virtual Grand National?” will undoubtedly feature plenty of times and the algorithm predicted the most likely winner to be Potters Corner. A resolute stayer, he won both the Midlands National at Uttoxeter and the Welsh National at Chepstow in 2019 having overcome a couple of falls at the business end of races, including when holding every chance in the Eider at Newcastle.
He made a pleasing return with Aintree in mind having finished third over Cheltenham's cross-country fences in November when clearly learning on the job. His subsequent efforts have come over hurdles where he isn't likely to be seen to best effect, but he did miss the Cheltenham Festival due to a late setback and would ideally want the ground to be softer despite having winning form on a decent surface.
Rating - 6/10
24. Class Conti 9 10-6 Willie Mullins Brian Hayes
From a well-bred family, being a half-brother to both Silviniaco Conti and Ucello Conti who both have run in the race in recent years, he has been knocking on the door on his last couple of starts having placed in the Thyestes for the second year in a row before finishing fourth on his most recent outing in the Leinster National at Naas.
However, his finishing efforts on both occasions were reminiscent of Ucello, one who always travelled strongly but never found much at the business end, and his stamina for 4m2f will be severely tested.
Rating - 4/10
25. Milan Native 8 10-6 Denise Foster Mr Jamie Codd
Gained plenty of experience in his first season over fences as he placed on a trio of occasions before landing the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival when improving for the step up to 3m2f which placed him on a few shortlists for this.
The return to action saw him get the better of Discorama at Galway before being completely outclassed by the Gold Cup winner Minella Indo at Wexford where he boasted a fitness edge. Since then, his form has been somewhat underwhelming having pulled up in the Porterstown at Fairyhouse and finishing down the field in both the Paddy Power at Leopardstown and the Ultima at Cheltenham.
The latter effort was his first after a wind operation and he was unable to get into contention having not jumped with much fluency. The fact that Jack Kennedy gets off him to ride Farclas doesn't bring much confidence either.
Rating - 4/10
26. Discorama 8 10-6 Paul Nolan Bryan Cooper
Well backed in the days leading up to the race with him only recently getting the green light to run after facing a battle against the clock to make it. He is one who should cope with the demands of this course, having placed at the Cheltenham Festival on all three of his outings there, and is relatively unexposed with regards a stamina test, having finished second in the attritional National Hunt Chase of 2019.
This campaign has seen him out twice in the autumn when beaten a short-head by Milan Native at Galway before a disappointing effort at Cheltenham's November meeting where he raced too freely. With a better preparation, he would be high on the shortlist but the fact he hasn't been out on a racecourse since that display raises some concerns, even allowing for the fact he has had a wind operation.
Rating – 6/10
27. Vieux Lion Rouge 12 10-5 David Pipe Conor O'Farrell
A marvellous horse over these fences, being a dual winner of the Becher Chase who has jumped 223 fences without coming to grief, and will give his rider, who partnered him in December, the thrill of a lifetime. That being said, stamina will be a premium once again and he is more likely to jump round without making an impact on proceedings.
Rating – 5/10
28. Cloth Cap 9 10-5 Jonjo O'Neill Tom Scudamore
Trainer Jonjo O'Neill has enjoyed his best season for a while in terms of big race winners, landing the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival with the reformed Sky Pirate, and has an excellent chance of winning his second Grand National following Don't Push It back in 2010.
Cloth Cap boasts all the right ingredients to be an Aintree horse. His owner, Trevor Hemmings, bids for an unprecedented fourth victory after Hedgehunter (2005), Ballabriggs (2011) and Many Clouds (2015) all took the world's greatest steeplechase. O'Neill had a poor record in the race as a jockey but this improved greatly once he switched his hand to training with placed efforts from the likes of Clan Royal, Simply Gifted and Sunnyhillboy, who was agonisingly beaten in the dying strides by Neptune Collonges in 2012. Jockey Tom Scudamore brings family history to the table with his grandad, Michael, riding Oxo to win in 1959 and his father, Peter, being associated with Earth Summit and Bindaree, when working closely with Nigel Twiston-Davies and, more recently, with the legend that is One For Arthur (no bias here) in 2017 with partner Lucinda Russell.
A slow burner early on in his career, he stepped forward once sent chasing in the autumn of 2018, winning twice at Stratford and Catterick, before having a crack at the Scottish National the following spring where he acquitted himself with plenty of credit for one so inexperienced to finish third. The following season saw him struggle on softer ground than he would like but the past few months have seen him blossom. Into the horse connections believed he was.
His third to King George winner Frodon at Cheltenham in October, when shaping well for a long way, blew the cobwebs off for the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury where a change of tactics, along with first-time cheekpieces, saw him blitz the opposition from the front with a brilliant round of jumping that showcased his credentials for this race.
Given a break after that, he returned at Kelso at the start of last month where, once again, he proved to be in a different league to his rivals when producing a career-best performance to slam Aso by seven-and-a-half lengths. If the handicapper could reassess his mark, he would be 14lb higher so this appears a golden opportunity for him to strike while the iron is hot, especially with conditions in his favour.
Rating - 8/10
29. Cabaret Queen 9 10-5 Willie Mullins Sean O'Keeffe
A dual-National winner in Ireland, having taken the Munster at Limerick in October 2019 and the Kerry at Listowel last September, both of those races over 3m, but she was all out to beat Moyhenna in the latter-named contest, suggesting her stamina was at the end of its tether, and her recent form has been lamentable, running no sort of race when pulled up in the Mares' Chase at Cheltenham. She would be a shock winner all things considered.
Rating - 1/10
30. Minellacelebration 11 10-5 Katy Price Ben Poste
Colours that have been carried to victory over these fences in the shape of I Hear Thunder in the 2006 Grand Sefton and he is a first runner in the Grand National for owner, trainer and jockey. A three-time winner over the Mildmay course, including when an impressive winner of a Veterans' Chase in October, he had excuses on both his attempts over these fences with the ground being too soft in the 2019 Becher Chase and the saddle slipping in December, giving his rider no chance of staying on board.
He does boast some stamina in his pedigree, his dam being an unraced half-sister to Ad Hoc, who ran in several Grand Nationals and was unlucky when brought down in 2002, and with conditions to suit, it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see him outrun his odds.
Rating – 6/10
31. Canelo 8 10-4 Alan King Tom Bellamy
A horse whose improvement seems to have come about since being applied with cheekpieces here in November when taking a handicap chase on the Mildmay course by five lengths. That was followed by a decent second at Newbury to a well-handicapped type of Christian Williams in Cap Du Nord before he went one better in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby over the Festive period.
However, the eight-year-old hasn't quite kicked on from that success with him suffering two defeats at Doncaster, his most recent of those when third in the Grimthorpe, and it is possible that he is now in the grip of the handicapper. Add in stamina concerns and it doesn't appear likely he can improve his trainer's poor record in this contest.
Rating - 5/10
32. The Long Mile 7 10-4 Philip Dempsey Luke Dempsey
One of the younger members of the field who has stepped forward plenty since being switched to chasing last season, winning no less than four handicaps at trips ranging between 2m and an extended 2m3f. His victory at Limerick over Christmas by 22 lengths earmarked him as a chaser firmly on the upgrade and he stepped up again when third in the Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse, his first run over anything further than 3m.
While he boasts an interesting profile, this may just come a year too soon and the experience gained is unlikely to be lost with regards a future bid at the race.
Rating – 6/10
33. Give Me A Copper 11 10-4 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden
A horse who has clearly been very difficult to train as this will be his 14th appearance on a racecourse and just his 10th outing over fences since his chase debut in October 2017. He has gone particularly well fresh, as shown when landing the 2019 Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton, and his return this campaign saw him go close once again when runner-up at Doncaster in December.
However, he was pulled up in the Skybet Chase over the same course and distance in January and it would take a massive leap of faith to have any conviction in his Aintree claims.
Rating - 3/10
34. Farclas 7 10-3 Denise Foster Jack Kennedy
2018 Triumph Hurdle winner who attempts to follow in a similar vein to Tiger Roll with his career going in a similar direction having struggled in his second season over hurdles. He won a trio of chases in the summer of 2019 before returning last November at Punchestown when shaping well on his handicap debut over fences.
His subsequent performances, all in ultra-competitive handicaps, have seen him perform with the utmost credit, his third in the Paddy Power over Christmas and fourth at the Dublin Racing Festival followed by him bumping into The Shunter at the Cheltenham Festival where he was slightly unlucky, but he now takes a massive step up in trip and that, along with his jumping which can be slightly suspect at times, may stop him from being in the mix.
Rating – 5/10
35. Minella Times 8 10-3 Henry de Bromhead Rachael Blackmore
Henry de Bromhead arrives having become the first trainer to win the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and the Gold Cup all in the same season and, in Minella Times, he has the potential to do the unthinkable in adding this prize to his excellent CV. Likewise Rachael Blackmore, who is fresh from being leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival and boast strong claims in becoming the first female rider to win the race.
The eight-year-old has continued to improve throughout his career. He displayed some promise over hurdles, notably when third to National Hunt Chase winner Galvin at Navan in January 2019, before taking a decent step forward once sent chasing in the summer of that year. A winner on his handicap debut over the larger obstacles in a decent race at Navan over 2m4f in December 2018, he built on that when second later that month at Limerick but ended his campaign when running poorly at the Dublin Racing Festival.
He has since bounced back with victory on his return at Listowel in September before finishing second over 3m in the Paddy Power Chase at Christmas to a well-handicapped rival in Castlebawn West and at the Dublin Racing Festival over 2m5f to the same owner's Off You Go.
Both of his recent Leopardstown efforts underlined his economical jumping and his ability to travel well, both important factors needed in an Aintree horse, and while the step up in trip is a bit of an unknown, his sire, Oscar, has produced a couple of placed horses in Oscar Time (second in 2011 and fourth in 2013) and Teaforthree (third in 2013). He is the type that you could imagine being thereabouts crossing the Melling Road for the last time and cannot be discounted lightly.
Rating – 8/10
36. Sub Lieutenant 12 10-3 Georgie Howell Tabitha Worsley
A half-brother to 2014 Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere who proved his liking for these fences when runner-up in the 2019 Topham to Cadmium in a contest where he appeared to be flat out for the majority of the event. He boasts some high-class form, a runner-up in the 2017 Ryanair to Un De Sceaux, and has run well on more than one occasion at this meeting.
Bought for £50,000 in September with the aim of making it to the National, his first run for new connections was a fair effort when fourth to Mister Malarky at Ascot just before Christmas and he filled the same spot over the same course and distance in February. Although having her first ride in the race, Tabitha Worsley has already tasted success over these fences having scored on Top Wood in the 2019 Foxhunters and she is likely to have a fantastic spin if jumping like he did in the Topham. He probably isn't as good as he once was but there are worse 100/1 shots in the field.
Rating – 6/10
37. Hogan's Height 10 10-3 Jamie Snowden Gavin Sheehan
2019 Grand Sefton hero who relished the challenge of these fences before running out a very impressive winner on that occasion. Unfortunately, things haven't quite gone to plan for him since with his two runs this season, pulling up over hurdles at Wincanton and finishing tailed off behind Tiger Roll at Cheltenham, not showing him in the best light. These fences may spark a revival but he has a lot to prove, especially with his stamina unproven.
Rating - 1/10
38. Double Shuffle 11 10-2 Tom George Jonathan Burke
A classy operator at his very best, having finished second in the 2017 King George to Might Bite at Kempton, who gained his first victory in just over four years at the aforementioned venue in January which guaranteed him a place in the field. However, he was subsequently put in his place when sixth back at the same course the following month and he doesn't make much appeal on the evidence of his previous visits to Merseyside.
Rating - 2/10
39. Ami Desbois 11 10-2 Graeme McPherson Kielan Woods
Mentioned as a potential Grand National horse by his trainer as early as 2017, Ami Desbois was a decent novice hurdler, placing in a Challow Hurdle, before winning his first two outings over the larger obstacles.
Despite arriving here on a 15-run losing streak, he's made up into a decent handicap chaser, finishing second on both his outings this season at Kempton, when behind Double Shuffle, and Doncaster, but this is undoubtedly the toughest assignment of his career and he appears to be up against it with stamina to prove.
Rating - 4/10
40. Blaklion 12 10-2 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
A former RSA and Becher Chase winner for Nigel Twiston-Davies, he once finished fourth in this back in 2017, but he isn't the force of old, based on his three starts this campaign since returning from an injury, and would be a shock winner.
Rating - 1/10
Conclusion
Cloth Cap has been all the rage for this since landing the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury and justified his position at the head of the market with an authoritative display at Kelso last month. He would be a stone higher in the weights, carrying 11-5, if the handicapper had his chance to reassess the race and he warrants the utmost respect. That said, odds of 4/1 are short enough with regards a 40-runner Grand National and he is worth opposing with ANY SECOND NOW. His trainer Ted Walsh is no stranger to success on Merseyside having won it with Papillon back in 2000 and he boasts the ideal blend of speed, a Grade 2 winner over 2m on his latest start at Navan, and stamina, a winner of the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival in 2019. Irish National winner Burrows Saint has been brought along steadily this season and is the pick of the Willie Mullins contenders, while Minella Times bids to cap an unbelievable couple of weeks for Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead. Of the outsiders, Mister Malarky, who boasts a strong Grand National pedigree, Definitly Red and Yala Enki are worth considering for each-way purposes.
Any Second Now
Burrows Saint
Mister Malarky
Definitly Red
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