Grand National Runners: Pinstickers guide to Saturday’s big race and tips
Get our verdict and star rating for every Grand National runner as the world's most famous steeplechase fast approaches.
Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
When: Saturday April 9, 2022
Where: Aintree Racecourse, Merseyside
First prize: £500,000
TV: ITV1 & Racing TV (426)
MINELLA TIMES 🌟🌟🌟
Analysis: Given what he did 12 months ago he's very hard to rule out completely despite failing two finish in both starts so far this season. Took a heavy fall at Punchestown and pulled-up after making mistakes at Leopardstown so return to this place will need to spark a significant revival.
Trainer comment: "We think he loved it last year and I’d be very hopeful that going back there will reignite him again. Obviously he has been disappointing, but he did love it last year and we think he’s really coming back to himself now finally. We couldn’t be happier with him. You’re always trying to freshen them up. He’s done a bit of cross-country and various things like that. You’re always trying to keep them happy and enjoying themselves and he seems to be very much coming to himself."
DELTA WORK 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Analysis: Five-time Grade One winner whose fire has been rekindled with Cross Country success at Cheltenham. Trainer has often used that race as an Aintree springboard, including with Tiger Roll, and he holds strong claims even though he's saddled with a big weight.
SCHOOL BOY HOURS 🌟🌟🌟
Analysis: Won the valuable Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas but fluffed his lines at Cheltenham last time when one of JP McManus’ big hopes for the week with a mistake four out in the Kim Muir. Lively outsider having got in as a reserve on Friday morning.
ANY SECOND NOW 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Analysis: Classy individual who has quality graded and handicap form to his name including a Kim Muir win at Cheltenham (2019) and a fine third in this event 12 months ago. He was badly hampered that day too so merits extra credit, while he's clearly in good form after beating Escaria Ten at Fairyhouse last time. A mark of 159 - 7lb higher than last April - demands even more of him.
Trainer comment: “Having one of the favourites doesn’t come with any pressure. I think he has a live chance, like I thought Seabass had, like I thought he had last year, like I thought Jack High had, when he unseated at The Chair (2006). We have gone there with a few who have had live chances. He has a live chance and if he gets a clear round and if things go well for him, he shouldn’t be far away."
RUN WILD FRED 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Analysis: A model of consistency over the past couple of seasons and arguably never better than when second to Stattler in National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last month. Almost guaranteed to appreciate another step up in distance here and his jumping is generally very solid. Loads to like given he's also happy on much softer ground.
LOSTINTRANSLATION 🌟
Analysis: Looked to have the chasing world at his feet following top-class novice success at Aintree in 2019 and while he's won three times and finished third in a Gold Cup since then, he's largely proved unreliable. Cheltenham effort last month one of his more creditable efforts but there are better handicapped horses in this field.
BRAHMA BULL 🌟🌟
Analysis: Ran four very decent races earlier this season including when third in the Ladbrokes Trophy from a mark of 158. Gets in here off 157 so not beyond the realms of possibility he runs into the frame but more recent evidence less inspiring in terms of his general wellbeing.
BURROWS SAINT 🌟🌟🌟
Analysis: Gave Patrick Mullins a fantastic spin around here en route to finishing fourth last year and he's back on exactly the same mark (156) so certainly not out of it from a handicapping perspective. Also a year older which could help him see out the trip as he did look pretty legless after the last fence 12 months ago. Jumps for fun and handles any going so every chance he's in the first six once again.
MOUNT IDA 🌟🌟
Analysis: Remarkable winner of the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last March, ultimately beating the subsequent Ladbrokes Trophy hero Cloudy Glen in great style despite jumping out to her right for much of the race. Appeared to have ironed out those issues when winning first two starts (2m4f & 2m5f) earlier this campaign but old habit returned in the Mares' Chase back at the Cheltenham Festival recently. Could really enjoy this much longer trip but will surely be losing too much ground at the obstacles unless her trainer has worked a miracle in that department.
LONGHOUSE POET 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Analysis: Always had a touch of class from his novice hurdling days and having to miss a year (December 2020-December 2021) appeared to have done him the world of good when winning the Thyestes on just his second start in a handicap at Gowran Park this January. Subsequent spin over hurdles purely to put him right for this weekend and every chance he still has another major personal best in the locker with testing ground very much his forte.
Trainer comment: "He is fine. We are really looking forward to the race. He has only had six runs over fences, but he is a good, sound jumper and the ground will be fine for him. He won the Thyestes nicely, albeit narrowly, but there were some good, touted horses in it, such as Escaria Ten (who reopposes). You’d be hopeful, if he finished in the first four or five – we’d be over the moon."
FIDDLERONTHEROOF 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Analysis: Grade One Tolworth Hurdle (soft) winner in 2020 and not far off the best staying novice chasers last season. Has made a smooth transition to open company this term, winning often-informative Listed race at Carlisle before a half-length second off 150 in the Ladbrokes Trophy. Narrowly denied by Fortescue after looking the winner at Ascot when last seen in February and he's 2lb well-in as that effort came following the publication of the weights for Aintree. Very much one of the leading British contenders for a yard that does well at this meeting.
TWO FOR GOLD 🌟🌟
Analysis: Looked booked for a minor role before unseating David Bass in last year's Topham, which wasn't a great first experience of these famous fences but hasn't let that put him off this season, winning narrowly at Doncaster and Lingfield around the turn of the year. Just outclassed by Fakir D'Oudairies in Grade One Ascot Chase last time out and likely to go down fighting once more here as he looks something of a dubious stayer for 4m2f.
SANTINI 🌟🌟
Analysis: Top-notch stayer for Nicky Henderson a couple of seasons ago, finishing a neck second in the 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup among other high-class efforts. Form not quite so hot since starting out for new trainer but second to Chantry House on Trials Day showed he's still got plenty of appetite for jumping and galloping and he's long looked in need of a serious stamina test. Rain in the build-up would hardly damage his claims either but others do look a bit better treated and open to improvement.
SAMCRO 🌟
Analysis: Looking a shadow of his former self these days and has had his well-documented issues. Doesn't look value for his BHA mark (152) currently and while his trainer has pulled a few rabbits from his hat over the years, this project looks beyond even him.
ESCARIA TEN 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Analysis: Switch to fences sparked immediate and quite stark improvement last season and he was sent off 11/4 favourite for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, ending up a close third behind Galvin. Pulled-up in the Irish National but perhaps he'd had enough for the year by last April, whereas he's been very lightly raced this time and comes here on the back of a fantastic prep run when beaten a nose by Any Second Now in the Bobbyjo Chase (first-time blinkers). They meet on similar terms this weekend and chances are equally strong, though this horse is open to a touch more improvement.
GOOD BOY BOBBY 🌟🌟🌟
Analysis: Dependable jumper with an admirable will to win, something on show when scoring twice at Wetherby earlier in the season. Hard to believe there aren't better handicapped rivals in the race but he's versatile ground-wise and could be running on when others have cried enough. The choice of Daryl Jacob.
Jockey comment: “I’m very much looking forward to riding him. I came up on Wednesday to walk around the track with my wife and kids. Looking at the track this year, I think the race is really suited to him. He’s a horse that I feel, with the race getting closer and closer, I’m getting more and more confident about his chances. I think he’ll take to the fences really well. Nigel is due a Grand National winner and there are lots and lots of positives."
ROMAIN DE SENAM 🌟
Analysis: Didn't stay the trip when pulled-up in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter last month when making his debut for the David Pipe yard. Could face a similar fate here having got in as the third and final reserve.
Trainer comment: “It’s always great to have a runner and it’s Philip Armson’s first ride over the fences. He doesn’t seem to be the quickest but he’ll keep galloping and if he takes to it, who knows how well he could do.”
COKO BEACH 🌟🌟
Analysis: Won the Thyestes last January before career-best Grade Two novice win at Navan the following month. Fair seventh in the Irish Grand National and back to that sort of level when fourth behind Death Duty at Punchestown a couple of months ago. Way below his best in subsequent outing but probably best ignored and no forlorn hope here despite stamina doubts.
DE RASHER COUNTER 🌟🌟
Analysis: Hit hard by the handicapper for 2019 Ladbrokes Trophy win at Newbury and raced only sparingly since then. Shaped much better than bare return when fourth of five on belated comeback in Grade Two Denman Chase at Newbury in February and he's finally back down to the same mark as his Newbury triumph. Was pulled-up on only previous try beyond 4m, though.
Trainer comment: "The Grand National was always the target race for De Rasher Counter from the start of last year,” said Lavelle. His whole campaign has been built around this race. He ran a lovely race in the Denman – we left plenty to work with – but he jumped in his exuberant manner and travelled really well and came out of it really well. He just got a little bit tired, which was understandable. He has been away since then. He’s done plenty, he looks great and he won a Ladbroke off 149 and he is back to that mark, and I’d have to be really, really happy with how he is."
KILDISART 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Analysis: Spent well over a year off the track before an eyecatching return over an inadequate distance at Newbury last month and he's clearly back on a fair mark too given he won off this rating (148) over the Mildmay Course here in 2019 and was second off 2lb higher in the following year's Ultima at Cheltenham. Versatile ground-wise and fresh off a very light campaign. Looks one of the most likely of the home team.
Trainer comment: “He is in great order. It is always a life-long ambition to have a National runner when you are a trainer and this is our first, so we are really looking forward to it, as you can imagine. He has been in great order at home and his prep run was flawless as far as we were concerned, and so we are very much looking forward to it. I think he will stay every yard of the trip. He jumped beautifully when we schooled him over the National fences last Friday and we are in a really good place with him. We know we need luck in running, but I think he goes there as an exciting horse. I think he ticks a lot of boxes."
DISCORAMA 🌟🌟🌟
Analysis: Quietly fancied for last year's National when appearing to not quite see out the distance en route to finishing seventh. However, he'd missed his prep run after undergoing a breathing operation and he could be better primed this time around following a pleasing spin over 3m at Fairyhouse in early-February. Forecast rain certainly isn't an issue and he holds serious each-way claims.
Trainer comment: “He had a wind operation. It was sort of a last-ditch wind operation and once we got him back, we couldn’t get him a prep run. He went to Aintree without one and thus he didn’t get home. He looked to be travelling very well at the third-last and just didn’t get home – and that is not like him. Normally, he goes to the line. I’m hopeful that if he gets the same luck in running as he did last year, and he jumps as well and if he could find a clean passage as he did last year, he will run a very respectable race."
TOP VILLE BEN 🌟🌟
Analysis: Gutsy, likeable performer who tends to wear his heart on his sleeve. Looked to be relishing the challenge on his first try over this course prior to falling heavily at the 12th fence in the Becher earlier this season but it hasn't dented his confidence. Understandably got weary in desperate conditions in a Grade Two hurdle event at Haydock last time and well worth his place in this line-up as he's not handicapped out of things on best form.
ENJOY D'ALLEN 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Analysis: Snapped up by JP McManus early last month having had what looks like an ideal campaign with this race in mind. Shaped well in two handicap hurdles and ran a fine race when third to School Boy Hours in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. Minella Times was placed in the same race en route to winning here 12 months ago and, having been a staying-on third in last year's Irish National, he looks sure to appreciate the return to a marathon trip.
Trainer comment: “We think this is a lovely, lovely staying chaser. He is doing everything right and we think we have him there in great nick. We’ve made no secret of the fact that we have trained him for Aintree all year. We said we’d get him out over hurdles early this year and he ran a lovely race over two and a half miles on good ground at Fairyhouse. The plan was to then have him fresh for the Paddy Power to see how he’d run. We were very, very happy with how he ran in the Paddy Power – he ran a cracker. He wasn’t beaten very far and gave a lot of weight to the horses that finished in front of him. He then got in at the bottom of a €100,000 handicap hurdle at Leopardstown and we were thrilled with how he ran with a staying-on fifth on ground that was probably quick enough for him. We felt he didn’t need another run after that and he will go to Aintree fresh.”
ANIBALE FLY 🌟
Analysis: Having his fourth try in the National having finished fourth in 2018, fifth in 2019 and pulled-up in 2021. Runs off a vastly reduced mark these days but he's not getting any sharper and will find younger legs too good for him in all likelihood.
DINGO DOLLAR 🌟🌟
Analysis: Has won on soft ground but most his very best form has come on a decent surface, including last year's highlight when second in the Scottish Grand National from just 3lb lower. Shaped nicely in two starts earlier this season and testing ground probably the excuse when struggling in last month's Kelso prep. Needs the sun to come out, in which case he could be a lively outsider.
FREEWHEELIN DYLAN 🌟🌟
Analysis: 150/1 winner of last season’s Irish National and that offers hope if you draw him in the office sweepstake for all his efforts this season temper enthusiasm when it comes to handing over cash to back him.
Trainer comment: “He needs a bit of luck and I hope we didn’t use up all the luck last year. He seems in good form. All is good. I’m happy. His form has been in and out since winning the Irish National, but he is a top-of-the-ground horse. He is a summer horse and I think conditions over there will suit him. He enjoys his jumping."
CLASS CONTI 🌟
Analysis: Got round in 15th last season but you barely saw him on your TV screens and hopes not high of a more prominent show this time around on the back of three lacklustre runs this term.
NOBLE YEATS 🌟🌟
Analysis: Bought for this event by the Waley-Cohens and ran a sound first race in their colours when staying on into ninth in the Ultima at Cheltenham. In good hands and relatively unexposed but only went chasing this season and seven-year-olds just don’t win Nationals, do they?
MIGHTY THUNDER 🌟🌟
Analysis: Won last season’s Scottish National but pulled-up in the Welsh version this time around and again in the Edinburgh National last time. A breathing problem was reported, and he’ll need to be fit and firing on Saturday if he’s to give Lucinda Russell a second Aintree win following in the hoofprints of One For Arthur.
Trainer comment: “He wouldn’t want the ground too soft. He would have a chance at his best. He will have to produce his best, but he is a Scottish National winner and Scottish National winners have a good record in the race. He stays and he jumps. Then it depends on the class of the others. I thought he ran a good race at Wetherby first time. Then it was heavy at Aintree and we didn’t run him, then it was heavy at Chepstow and we shouldn’t have run him. He gargled at Musselburgh when he clearly cantered to the front and stopped. I think, hand on heart, he would have won. So he has had his throat lasered and it is just if that has worked now. I just don’t think some of those horses will want softer ground."
CLOTH CAP 🌟🌟
Analysis: Was sent off the 11/2 favourite last year but was pulled-up after the fifth last with connections reporting a breathing issue. He hasn’t really fired at all this year and for all Jonjo O’Neill is confident of a big run, it’s hard to share his optimism on recent evidence.
SNOW LEOPARDESS 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Analysis: Wonderful mare who was a gallant winner of the Becher Chase over these fences before warming up for the big one with a good win at Exeter. You’ll read a lot about her in the build-up and she’s definitely worth her place towards the head of the betting, especially if it's wet.
Trainer comment: "I’ve got no issues with her stamina whatsoever. Yes, it looked like she was tying up in the Becher Chase, but that is because she had been in front for two and a half miles into a driving headwind and driving rain. She will relish the trip. My only worry is the speed at the start and is she quick enough to get into a nice, handy, prominent position? I won’t give any instructions to Aidan as he knows her inside out. I will say get her into a nice rhythm and enjoy it. We’ll take her to the paddock lateish, it's the way she is – she’s very relaxed at home but on the racecourse you can see at the start she jig-jogs around and is a bit like a rocking horse. But that’s fine, it’s normal for her."
AGUSTA GOLD 🌟
Analysis: Sent to Willie Mullins to win a Grand National but by the trainer’s admission he’s yet to find the key to her. Best run of the season was at Down Royal last time, but she has a mountain to climb despite having WPM on her rug in the parade ring.
COMMODORE 🌟🌟🌟
Analysis: Ten now and already grey but really impressed with his jumping when winning at Cheltenham in December. Will be some sight over these fences having come in on Friday as the first reserve.
DEISE ABA 🌟🌟
Analysis: Loves Sandown and went close to winning a third Masters Chase there in February. This is his first go at a Randox Grand National and hard to make a convincing case for him making a winning debut.
BLAKLION 🌟🌟
Analysis: Fared best of the home team in last year’s race when finishing sixth. Good record over these fences and twice a winner at Haydock this winter, but he’s 13 now and pulled-up in his prep race.
POKER PARTY 🌟
Analysis: Form figures of OOP say it all about his current form though he is a former National winner – the Kerry one. Henry De Bromhead has pulled many a rabbit out of the hat over the last couple of years but winning the National with his fellow would be his greatest trick yet.
DEATH DUTY 🌟🌟🌟
Analysis: Enjoying something of a revival of late and ran well – as was expected – when sixth in the Ultima at Cheltenham. He couldn’t cope with the younger legs of less exposed horses there but they're a little thinner on the ground in this field. Player.
DOMAINE DE L'ISLE 🌟🌟
Analysis: Got a distant rear view of Snow Leopardess when plugging into fourth in the Becher Chase in December. At least that offers hope he’ll get round – albeit in his own time.
ECLAIR SURF 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Analysis: Slashed in the betting for this race while he spent Saturday in his box thanks to his Eider Chase conqueror Win My Wings running away with the Scottish National. Could be right among the best of the British if making the cut.
Trainer comment: "It is great that we got Eclair Surf in and that it has worked out, but it has definitely not been the most relaxing week. The thing is, if someone decides not to run because they want to run somewhere else, that is one thing. When someone is forced not to run because something has gone wrong, ie Nicky (Henderson) with Caribean Boy, then it is never nice. You don’t jump up and down, because you know how depressing it can be when it happens to you. The fact that Farclas wasn’t declared meant that we got in under that basis, so it is great. It is great for the owners, for the team here it is very exciting to think we have two runners in a Grand National, but not just two runners – they are two who have genuine chances and genuine reasons for having chances. It is exciting.”
FORTESCUE 🌟🌟🌟
Analysis: Connections have gambled by missing the Scottish National to see if they squeeze into the big one. He’s worth that roll of the dice given the weather forecast and a tenacious win at Ascot last time.
VERDICT
Irish runners completely dominated 12 months ago and while Snow Leopardess, Kildisart and Eclair Surf (if getting a run) all score highly for the home team, they might be left battling for place money.
Gordon Elliott has an incredibly strong squad lined up for the race he's won three times in the past and neither Run Wild Fred, Farclas, Delta Work nor ESCARIA TEN would be a surprise winner.
Preference is for the latter, who gets in on a good mark, is almost guaranteed to see out the trip and arrives fresh and well following a fine prep run against Any Second Now in what has become a pretty key trial.
Fiddlerontheroof is likely to give each-way backers a solid run for their money, while Enjoy D'Allen and Longhouse Poet have both been quite well found in the market now. Noble Yeats looks a big price as while he's only seven he has plenty of experience and a touch of class to boot.
- ESCARIA TEN
- Run Wild Fred
- Kildisart
- Longhouse Poet
- Fiddlerontheroof
- Noble Yeats
- Enjoy D'Allen
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