Even with a reduced field taking part this year, the Grand National is still the only race which unanimously captures the public imagination. With just under three weeks to go until the big race, Joe Napier has run his eye over the remaining runners to come up with two ante-post selections worth backing.
Corach Rambler is a warm order to prevail for the second year running after a magnificent third in the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival. That meeting proved a great springboard for him a year ago, but though that Gold Cup form would suggest he is extremely well-in off 159, he ended up finishing the race quite tired, barely hanging on for the bronze medal spot.
He may well have left a second Grand National back in Prestbury Park, and there are many viable alternatives to ignore the 5/1 about Lucinda Russell’s horse. Here are the two I would be taking him on with at this stage.
Recommended Bet – Galvin (1pt e/w – 20/1 with CopyBet)
Horses who fall at the first in the Grand National gain a tainted reputation if ever attempting glory in the race again. However, GALVIN was a victim of the surprise carnage that unfurled at the first a year ago, getting tight to the fence and then running into the back of a pair of rivals, unseating poor Davy Russell on his final go at the National.
Then a nine-year-old, he was a big drifter on the day, sailing out to 22/1, so the vibes were not particularly strong anyway. It will be worth monitoring that again this year, but his unseat ultimately looks unlucky when watched back and his overall profile is of a much sounder jumper.
Since last season, where he was given a mark of 166 by the British handicapper, he has been dropped 11lb in the ratings. As such, he goes in here as number 19 in the handicap rather than number three, and will carry a weight only a little over 11st should all hold their ground now Hewick has been intentioned elsewhere.
It is not as if his form has suggested a massive tailing off now he has reached double figures in age either. He has finished mid-division in a pair of Cross Country handicaps at Cheltenham, but was far from disgraced either time, and his fourth-placed effort in the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle, contested so notably by Tiger Roll in preparation for this race, was competitive.
His final prep was denied by the weather with the Glenfarclas Chase abandoned at the Cheltenham Festival, but fitness is unlikely to be an issue with that Boyne Hurdle run likely to have set him right enough. He retains significant potential to revel in this test and as long as he gets a clear sight of his first few fences, he is likely to get involved. At current odds, he will probably be the selection of Jack Kennedy too.
Recommended Bet – Mr Incredible (1pt e/w – 20/1 with CopyBet)
At the same price ante-post is MR INCREDIBLE, another of the unseaters in last season’s contest. Formerly borderline untrainable for Henry De Bromhead, the eight-year-old has been calmed and revitalised by Willie Mullins to make the frame three times in notable handicaps in the UK.
He was a staying on second in Warwick’s Classic Chase last term before performing a similar role when third in the Kim Muir off 12st at Cheltenham in 2023. Then followed his unseat at the second Canal Turn last season when still travelling kindly enough under Brian Hayes, though his was another hard luck story, being bumped before Hayes’ saddle slipped, giving him no choice but exit via stage left.
He is unfortunate to have been given a 5lb rise in the weights since then, but he will still start in the bottom half of the handicap and could still be improving for staying trips. His return this season saw him finish a gallant runner-up in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter, travelling smoothly throughout and perhaps lacking for a bit of match practice towards the end.
While the National now requires a touch of class where a slogger could have forgone some before, Mr Incredible is no one trick pony and should have enough ability to keep himself involved for the majority of the trip. As long as he stays within touching distance, few will be staying on better come the bitter end.
GG Top 10 Chasers – March 2024
In our new feature, GG are beginning our series of Top 10s across the world of racing. Off the back of the Cheltenham Festival, we start with GG’s own opinion of the top 10 chasers in Britain and Ireland, which will be updated monthly. 1. Galopin Des Champs The Gold Cup hero is readily proving…
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