William Hill NRMB On The Grand National Handicap

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 2m 56.94s

(4)

Torcello^b¹⁵¹

Age: 10| Weight: 9-11| J: C Lee| T: S Lycett| OR: 87| D

4/1

Winless last season but he went close when dead-heating for second in a valuable handicap at the Newmarket Guineas meeting. Performed with credit in another prestigious handicap at the big Goodwood meeting during the summer and he will be a big player if fully tuned-up for this.

Form: 1/82645-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(3)

Throne Hall^p⁹^{(ex 4)}

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 76| D

8/13

Brought the curtain down on a losing run in some style when landing an amateur riders' handicap at Doncaster (1½m, soft) 9 days ago. Will go up by considerably more than the 4 lb penalty he carries for that 10-length success when reassessed. Obvious claims.

Form: 9054-41

(1)

Billy No Mates¹⁸⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 79| D

3/1

Signed off last season on a high, registering a third win over 1¾m at Haydock (soft) in September. Well on top at the finish and a 4 lb rise is hardly draconian but his record when fresh isn't great and a career-best will be needed if he's to see off Throne Hall and Torcello.

Form: 740321-

Non-Runners

(2)

Clan Chieftain²²⁶

Weight: 9-6| Age: 4

T: R M Beckett J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Throne Hall (8/13), Billy No Mates (3/1), Torcello (4/1), Clan Chieftain (9/2)

It's hard to look beyond THRONE HALL, who bolted up at Doncaster's Lincoln meeting and he is streets ahead of the handicapper under a 4 lb penalty here. Torcello boasts several pieces of high-quality handicap form and he is clear second choice ahead of Billy No Mates.