2 Delta Work 9 years old, 11th 9 pounds
The party at the Cheltenham Festival last month, when loud applause echoed from the stands after he denied the legendary Tiger Roll victory in his final start. However, he would be a very popular winner at Aintree. The adaptability required to win in his first start over cross-country hurdles seemed like the last piece of the puzzle before his Grand National debut, and has since garnered plenty of support. With five Grade One chasing victories, he also has the class to do with his stamina, but this latest challenge comes 24 days after his tremendous effort at Cheltenham. With the juice detached from its price, some of the freshest horses are marginally preferred.
3 Easysland 8 years old, 11th 8 pounds
There seemed to be a long-term plan when this cross-country racing specialist – an easy winner at Cheltenham in March 2020 – joined Jonjo O’Neill from David Cottin’s French stable at the end of last season. If the plot, however, had three P’s on its disc indicating that it has been pulled three times since it indicates that it has gone somewhat wrong. He showed a bit more of his former brilliance before leaving behind Delta Work at Cross Country Chase last month, but he still weighs in at his best and has a lot to find in this season’s form to get anywhere near the box.
4 Any second now 10 years old, 11th 8 pounds
Every Grand National has one or three tough luck stories, but few match this sad story 12 months ago. Ted Walsh’s runner was traveling sweetly, not too far from the lead, when he stopped in his tracks falling to 12th, losing at least a dozen lengths. Mark Walsh returned to claim two of the two and continued to challenge the latter at Elbow, a remarkable effort under the circumstances. He is 7 pounds higher in the rankings this year, which is more than fair for his form for 2021, and has been renewed since he won the third place in February. With a little more luck, it will be very difficult to keep out of the box. Any Second Now (left, No. 15) clears the first fence in last year’s race. Photo: Steven Cargill / racingfotos.com / Shutterstock
5 Run Wild Fred 8 years old, 11th 7 pounds
There are faint echoes of Rule The World, the 2016 Grand National winner, for this eight-year-old trained by Gordon Eliot, a season 2 rookie in high-quality form over fences, but only one hunting win. Rule The World did not even make it to the front when it came home six years ago, and Run Wild Fred made it clear that endurance would not be a problem when he finished second at the National Hunt Chase in Cheltenham last time. It did not look like a horse with plenty of tools, however, and it would be a surprise if some more stingy guys did not get hit.
6 Lostintranslation 10 years, 11th 6 pounds
He seemed likely to be a force in the best fights for years to come when he won the Grade One Betfair Chase in November 2019, but has since won one of 10 starts. On the plus side, one of those defeats was almost third in the Gold Cup 2020 and he ran well under a heavyweight at Cheltenham last month, finishing eighth in the Ultima Handicap Chase. This still gives him something to find under another heavy load here, however, and the top 10 is probably as good as it is likely to reach.
7 Brahma Bull 11 years old, 11th 6 pounds
Some National Runners mark all the correct boxes. This means a lot of mistakes, especially the habit of throwing a sloppy jump or three in most races. He reappeared at the Cross Country Chase last month – which looks like one of the key pieces of form for this year’s race – as he ousted his rider. Aintree fences are not exactly what they used to be, but showing off one or more can be enough to cost you any chance of winning and it is likely to return among the also-rans. Sign up for Recap, the weekly feature newsletter.
8 Burrows Saint 9yo, 11st 5lb
He did just as well with the three winners from home last year, but failed to finish 27th behind the Minella Times. His final effort was also disappointing at the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February, a form that gives him little chance of beating either Any Second Now or Escaria Ten. While Willie Mullins sees him as his No. 1 nominee, that probably says more about the relative weakness of his team this year.
9 Mount Ida 8 years old, 11th 5 lbs
Another member of Elliott’s eight-man stall, but one of the less convincing candidates to give her coach an equal fourth record. Endurance is unlikely to be a problem – she seemed to be screaming for such a test for much of her career – but her jump is generally so at best and is accompanied by a tendency to turn sharply to the right. On a left-hand track like Aintree, this could cost her a lot, and her last run at the new Mares’ Chase in Cheltenham was disappointing. It is easily overlooked.
10 Longhouse Poet 8 years old, 11th 4 pounds
Martin Brassil hit the bullseye with Numbersixvalverde, his first Grand National racer in 2006, rode the same horse to finish sixth a year later and then sent Double Seven to finish third in 2014. This is his first National has since raced and won the super-competitive Thyestes Chase – a race that Numbersixvalverde landed the season before his victory at Aintree – in January, with several of today’s rivals defeated. As an eight-year-old just starts his seventh chase, he has more room for improvement than most and around 16-1 is a great bet to further improve Brassil’s excellent record in the world’s most famous style. Great National March
11 Fiddlerontheroof 8 years old 11th 4 lbs
A living candidate to be the best of the British trained runners, but even that would not be a guarantee of a two-way return given the power of the Irish challenge. However, the eight-year-old’s home form is stable, and Colin Tizzard has also resisted the urge to run him to Cheltenham, despite a stellar run at the Ladbrokes Trophy in November that could have persuaded him to aim for the Gold Cup. A sound jumper that goes to any terrain, although its endurance has not been tested in a marathon trip and the most reliable occupants can be supported at the same price.
12 Two For Gold 9 years old, 11th 3 pounds
Beaten to less than two lengths in a Grade One race at Ascot last time, which is possible for a horse that takes weight from many of the most important fancy. It was over two miles and five stages, however, and in addition to questioning his endurance, the fact that he fell on his first attempt over these fences – at the Topham Trophy last season – is another concern. Kim Bailey, his coach, knows what it takes to win it, having put Mr Frisk in 1990, but a value around 40-1 seems fair.
13 Santini 10 years old, 11th 2 pounds
A top-class hunter at his best, he fell from his neck at the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March 2020. If he has been on the decline of his career ever since, he was quite kind. A change of scenery may have helped, as he switched from Nicky Henderson to Polly Gundry this summer and was close to the leaders for much of the track in last month’s renewal. One of the many who could perform well for a long time if he is fired by the fences, while he is unlikely to keep his challenge beyond the second last.
14 Samcro 10 years old 11 pounds 1 pound
He was hailed as a potential great of all time when he scored a series of victories as a beginner hurdle in 2017/18, although his owner Michael O’Leary said at the time “he will never be as good as the outside campaign” The 10-year-old had his moments, including three Grade One victories and, as Elliott points out, “it would be something Samcro to do” to “run a huge race”, but it would be something Samcro to finish 16th – as he did in his first start in a chase handicap – and this is the most reliable scenario. Samcro (second left) remains a difficult runner to predict. Photo: Tom Jenkins / The Guardian
15 Escaria Ten 8 years old 11th 1 pound
He matched Any Second Now in their form at Bobbyjo Chase in February, when last year ‘s third gave Eliot’ s eight – year – old – λί 1 more than he would have done on Saturday – and hit him in the nose. The timing of that fight was also very strong and a real step forward for Escaria Ten’s return behind Longhouse Poet at Thyestes Chase. He probably felt the results of a great effort at Cheltenham when he was promoted to last year’s National Team of Ireland and was definitely on the shortlist.
16 Good Boy Bobby 9 years old, 10th 13 pounds
Owners Isaac Souede and Simon Munir have four runners and their No. 1 rider, Daryl Jacob, chose to ride him, although he remains an 33-1 outsider to give them a first National Success. He won at the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Christmas, while a change of tactics from his usual front may be responsible for a shorter streak last time. Unproven beyond three miles, it has a lot to find with market leaders and there is no obvious reason why it should bridge the gap by going up the road.
17 Lord Du Messnil 9 years old, 10th 13 pounds
A decent winner of the Grand National Trial in Haydock – on the heavy ground he loves – in February 2021, but his form looks more like an evil Scrabble hand, with three P’s and one U. They never appeared in last year’s race, much faster ground, and conditions are again against him this time. It would be a cheeky knife from all sides if the skies opened on Friday, but otherwise they easily dominated …
