Without delving into the formbook, the 2 that immediately leapt out at me were: Noble Yeats 16/1 and Hewick 33/1 Noble yeats is a stone better off with last year's winner Corach Rambler for 8.5l and showed he is probaly even better this year when just holding off Paisley Park in the 3mile Cleveland Hurdle. Clearly loves the course having won the Grand Naional and the Mildmay when only a 7yo. Last year's 4th came following a hard race in the Gold Cup. He won't be repeating that route this year Hewick is a horse I would have never considered, just like I didn't consider him for the KG. Clearly his stamina came into play having been struggling to keep up for most of the race. Over this extended distance it won't be so difficult to keep up and his turn of foot could be decisive if he's thereabouts at the finish Corach Rambler has an obvious chance but does carry 11lb more this year. He is unbeaten in 2 at Aintree having also won the Mildmay as a 7yo Vanillier is the form horse, I guess, being 9lb better off with Corach Ramble for 2¼l. These 2 head the betting this year at 12/1 and 14/1 respectively
I really like the look of number 50, Gevrey. I’ll ignore his last two runs because I firmly believe that is Elliott protecting his mark. He looks a right stayer and a great jumper when he’s in his rhythm. I think this race could be ideal for him. ‘Just’ needs 16 above him to pull out. Vanillier seems an obvious contender and worthy favourite. Like you mention Ron, he’s a lot better off with Corach and he finished like a train. He was maybe just held onto a little bit too long. Carrying a low weight again. He should be bang there.
Interesting comments yesterday by Willie Mullins about I Am Maximus, the gist of which was….. ” If he’s still there on the second circuit, you wouldn’t want to be on anything else.” He’ll certainly be rated higher in the future than his current 158 rating, Given the way he slaughtered Vanillier yesterday- and is 4lbs better off at Aintree- it’s difficult to hold out any chance for the latter.
His Chase form going left handed would be a massive worry. He did win a NH flat and Maiden Hurdle for Nicky Henderson going left handed though so maybe not devoid of all hope. Will surely go close if jumping well.
I think at this point in proceedings I'm contractually obliged to point out the record of Lieutenant Henderson in the big race. Since Liberthine took fifth in the 2007 Grand National Nicky Henderson's record in the Grand National reads -FU9U0FPP0UF0P8. Cor blimey that's a difficult round on 'Countdown'.
That’ s not too bad, if you’re Irish. Yes, he’s unseated rider three times and nowhere three times, but he’s has three firsts and pissed it three times..FFFPPP.
MeetingOfTheWaters caught my eye with the way he finished his race yesterday. I think that’ll be one that I wager on.
I thought Kitty’s Light ran an excellent GN prep in the Ultima. Staying on never nearer 7th on ground that wouldn’t suit. KL is one of my fav horses and I’d love to see him run well at Aintree. He’s not that big and his come from behind run style will doubtless lead to a few dodgy moments but he definitely doesn’t lack in heart. 33/1 currently.
Yeah, I like him too. He looks similar to Tiger Roll in stature. I just think the horses running in the GN maybe a little too classy for him, but, he did win all the big races last season, in style.
A few months ago bet Mr Incredible 33/1 e/w and just when I was giving the bet as lost he reappears today after a year out making a tremendous run at Uttoxeter with a huge weight. I don't know if he'll have time to recover, and I don't even know if Mullins is going to take him to Aintree, but if he runs, I see a chance.
Corach Rambler did seem to have a very hard race in the CGC and in my opinion will need to have some constitution to return from that gruelling effort just 29 days later and win a GN. He seemed to expand an enormous amount of energy in the first instance staying on the coat-tails of the field in the first couple of miles and then, even more so, when he was driven from the top of the hill to early in the home straight to deliver his challenge. From the latter point he really seemed to tire and seemingly crossed the line looking Tired with a capital 'T'. Corach Rambler has, of course, gone from the Festival to the GN before with great success but I'd guess that his effort in '24 will have taken a huge lot more out of him than his '23 run at Cheltenham. Some will see it as a wonderful 'prep' but to me it looked very draining. As low as 5/1 in places for the GN which looks very, very short even with a reduced field this term.
Horses scratched Hewick Asterion Forlonge Threeunderthrufive Letsbeclearaboutit James Du Berlais Longhouse Poet Monbeg Genius Busselton Diol Ker Macs Charm Dunboyne Mister Coffey Moroder Fiddlerontheroof Gevrey Highland Hunter Revels Hill Surprisingly, my horses are still on the list of runners.
