It pains one somewhat to say this, given who owns him, but I really think that HARRY THE VIKING has the potential to run away with the heat this term and give Mr Nicholls, the forum’s third favourite trainer, back to back Grand National victories.
Although the old boy has been somewhat below par this term he has been trained specifically for the Aintree showpiece all season and seemingly has a very attractive weight of 10-2 – I really do think he has the potential to be a good stone better than his current mark of 140. The distance should be no trouble as well given that he was a staying on 2nd in the 4 mile NH Chase at last years Cheltenham Festival. On that occasion he was beaten 2 lengths by TeaForThree but is now 11 pounds better off with that one – further proof of his attractive handicap perch and his ability to perform against very decent campaigners. Is also usually a very sound jumper with the ability to both travel well and quicken impressively at the business end of a contest – three attributes that you need at Aintree over the big ‘uns.
Is currently number 54 in the list but would be fairly confident that enough would come out to allow Harry The Viking to get in at the foot of the weights. 33/1 looks a very attractive price re this one, methinks.