Forty horses line up for the Randox-sponsored £1million showpiece, ready to tackle 30 fences, many with household names such as Becher’s Brook, The Chair, Valentine’s Brook and the Canal Turn.
These fences aren’t as scary as they once were. Rightly, animal welfare is now a priority. But the historic race, which dates back to 1839, is still an exciting sight.
Last year it was forced behind closed doors by the pandemic, having been completely canceled in 2020. But it is back in all its glory on Saturday (5.15pm) and will be enjoyed by 70,000 people on the course and an audience global television reach of up to 600 million people. You can watch it live on ITV.
It remains the one day of the year when most of us have a flutter, whether it’s a few pounds each way or a sweep at work or our local pub. Bookmakers expect around £200m to be wagered on the big race.
This year’s race promises to be more competitive than ever, even if it misses the presence of the double winner TIGER ROLLwho retired after the Cheltenham Festival last month.
Last year’s race made history when Rachael Blackmore became the first female rider to triumph aboard MINELLA’S TIME. They’re back for more, but the horse was weighed down by the maximum weight and was in poor shape.
Surprisingly, ten of the top 11 places 12 months ago were taken by horses trained in Ireland. Once again, Irish handlers such as Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott are well represented.
So when trying to find the winner, do you study the form or insert a pin? To help you decide, our guide identifies 12 horses likely to have a say in the outcome. A couple of lively underdogs, Mount Ida and Fortescue, just failed to qualify!
Note: the numbers do NOT relate to their order on the race card. And the prices listed were correct at the time of going to press.
MY OPINION – 1 Escaria Ten, 2 Any Second Now, 3 Fiddlerontheroof, 4 De Rasher Counter, 5 Delta Work
It is very rare for a horse with as little experience on the fences (just seven starts) as Gordon Elliott’s French-bred 8-year-old (pictured left) to win the National. But he’s a classy stayer who’s been race-ready since a fine effort at the Cheltenham Festival last season. After an eye-catching seasonal reappearance, he finished just a mustache behind likely race favorite Any Second Now last time out. Guaranteed endurance and also an impeccable sweater.
Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images
Trained by Ted Walsh, father of brilliant former jockey Ruby, who teamed up to guide Papillon to national glory in 2000. This 10-year-old, owned by two-time winner JP McManus, was a top fantasy for the 2020 race which has fell victim to the Covid-19 pandemic and would have won last year if he hadn’t made a jerky blunder and then been seriously hampered by a faller. He is pictured (right) racing to third place. Could this be the third lucky time for him this year?
Photo: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
A classy and consistent 8-year-old who I think is comfortably the choice of the UK-trained contingent in the race. Admirably, Colin Tizzard’s charge only managed to make the frame once in 18 starts and regularly kept company at freshman or sophomore contests. He endured an extremely tough warm-up run six weeks ago and has never gained more than 3m or more, but he is tough and has shown enough to suggest he will stay in the Aintree Marathon.
Photo: David Davies/Getty Images
Owned by the Makin’ Bacon Partnership, Emma Lavelle’s 10-year-old is the most bizarrely named runner this year. But if you’re looking for a big-ticket underdog to surprise, he might be the answer. He was given a handicap rating identical to the one with which he won the Ladbrokes Trophy (formerly Hennessy Gold Cup) three seasons ago and although he has been plagued with injuries and absences since, he has formed very well behind quality opposition in his seasonal return. months ago.
Photo: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
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Source: www.thestar.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-04-08 21:49:12
