April 8, 20223 yr Author Brett-Butler  5 Run Wild Fred (IRE) 8 11-07 Gordon Elliott IRE Davy Russell 14/1 About: A model of consistency over the past couple of seasons and arguably never better than when second to Stattler in National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last month. Almost guaranteed to appreciate another step up in distance here and his jumping is generally very solid. Loads to like given he's also happy on much softer ground.
April 8, 20223 yr Author Slick 3 School Boy Hours 9 10-05 Noel Meade IRE Sean Flangnan 25/1 About: Won the valuable Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas but fluffed his lines at Cheltenham last time when one of JP McManus’ big hopes for the week with a mistake four out in the Kim Muir. Lively outsider having got in as a reserve on Friday morning.Â
April 8, 20223 yr Author Skankhunt43 28 Noble Yeats (IRE) 7 10-10 Emmet Mullins IRE Sam Waley-Cohen 33/1 About: Bought for this event by the Waley-Cohens and ran a sound first race in their colours when staying on into ninth in the Ultima at Cheltenham. In good hands and relatively unexposed but only went chasing this season and seven-year-olds just don’t win Nationals, do they?
April 8, 20223 yr Author Klaus 1 Minella Times (IRE) 9 11-10 Henry de Bromhead IRE Rachael Blackmore 10/1 About: Given what he did 12 months ago he's very hard to rule out completely despite failing two finish in both starts so far this season. Took a heavy fall at Punchestown and pulled-up after making mistakes at Leopardstown so return to this place will need to spark a significant revival. Â
April 8, 20223 yr Author Rooney 40 Fortescue (GB) 8 10-05 Henry Daly Hugh Nugent 33/1 About: Connections have gambled by missing the Scottish National to see if they squeeze into the big one. He’s worth that roll of the dice given the weather forecast and a tenacious win at Ascot last time.
April 8, 20223 yr Skankhunt43 28 Noble Yeats (IRE) 7 10-10 Emmet Mullins IRE Sam Waley-Cohen 33/1 About: Bought for this event by the Waley-Cohens and ran a sound first race in their colours when staying on into ninth in the Ultima at Cheltenham. In good hands and relatively unexposed but only went chasing this season and seven-year-olds just don’t win Nationals, do they? Well, I assume that's because of child labour laws tbh, but I'm sure children could win if they were allowed to participate, what with being generally lighter than most other jockeys. Â
April 8, 20223 yr Author Here we go around again: Sarah  29 Mighty Thunder (GB) 9 10-10 Lucinda Russell Derek Fox 40/1 About: Won last season’s Scottish National but pulled-up in the Welsh version this time around and again in the Edinburgh National last time. A breathing problem was reported, and he’ll need to be fit and firing on Saturday if he’s to give Lucinda Russell a second Aintree win following in the hoofprints of One For Arthur.
April 8, 20223 yr Author Riser (Tiger Lily) 38 Domaine de L'Isle (FR) 9 10-06 Sean Curran Harry Bannister 100/1 About: Got a distant rear view of Snow Leopardess when plugging into fourth in the Becher Chase in December. At least that offers hope he’ll get round – albeit in his own time.Â
April 8, 20223 yr Author awardinary 19 De Rasher Counter (GB) 10 10-12 Emma Lavelle Adam Wedge 40/1  About: Hit hard by the handicapper for 2019 Ladbrokes Trophy win at Newbury and raced only sparingly since then. Shaped much better than bare return when fourth of five on belated comeback in Grade Two Denman Chase at Newbury in February and he's finally back down to the same mark as his Newbury triumph. Was pulled-up on only previous try beyond 4m, though
April 8, 20223 yr Author Houdini 33 Commodore 10 10-05 Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch 33/1  About: Ten now and already grey but really impressed with his jumping when winning at Cheltenham in December. Will be some sight over these fences having come in on Friday as the first reserve.Â
April 8, 20223 yr Author Steve201Â 11 Fiddlerontheroof (IRE) 8 11-04 Colin Tizzard Brendan Powell 16/1Â Â About: Grade One Tolworth Hurdle (soft) winner in 2020 and not far off the best staying novice chasers last season. Has made a smooth transition to open company this term, winning often-informative Listed race at Carlisle before a half-length second off 150 in the Ladbrokes Trophy. Narrowly denied by Fortescue after looking the winner at Ascot when last seen in February and he's 2lb well-in as that effort came following the publication of the weights for Aintree. Very much one of the leading British contenders for a yard that does well at this meeting.Â
April 8, 20223 yr Author Brett-Butler 15 Escaria Ten (FR) 8 11-01 Gordon Elliott IRE Adrian Heskin 11/1  About: Switch to fences sparked immediate and quite stark improvement last season and he was sent off 11/4 favourite for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, ending up a close third behind Galvin. Pulled-up in the Irish National but perhaps he'd had enough for the year by last April, whereas he's been very lightly raced this time and comes here on the back of a fantastic prep run when beaten a nose by Any Second Now in the Bobbyjo Chase (first-time blinkers). They meet on similar terms this weekend and chances are equally strong, though this horse is open to a touch more improvement.
April 8, 20223 yr Author Shankhunt43Â 2 Delta Work (FR) 9 11-09 Gordon Elliott IRE Jack Kennedy 9/1Â Â About:Â Five-time Grade One winner whose fire has been rekindled with Cross Country success at Cheltenham. Trainer has often used that race as an Aintree springboard, including with Tiger Roll, and he holds strong claims even though he's saddled with a big weight.Â
April 8, 20223 yr Author King Rollo 9 Mount Ida (IRE) 8 11-05 Gordon Elliott IRE Denis O'Regan 25/1  About: Remarkable winner of the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last March, ultimately beating the subsequent Ladbrokes Trophy hero Cloudy Glen in great style despite jumping out to her right for much of the race. Appeared to have ironed out those issues when winning first two starts (2m4f & 2m5f) earlier this campaign but old habit returned in the Mares' Chase back at the Cheltenham Festival recently. Could really enjoy this much longer trip but will surely be losing too much ground at the obstacles unless her trainer has worked a miracle in that department.Â
April 8, 20223 yr Author Mack 30 Cloth Cap (IRE) 10 10-10 Jonjo O'Neill Tom Scudamore 25/1  About: Was sent off the 11/2 favourite last year but was pulled-up after the fifth last with connections reporting a breathing issue. He hasn’t really fired at all this year and for all Jonjo O’Neill is confident of a big run, it’s hard to share his optimism on recent evidence.
April 8, 20223 yr Author Brer 35 Blaklion (GB) 13 10-08 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 40/1 About: Fared best of the home team in last year’s race when finishing sixth. Good record over these fences and twice a winner at Haydock this winter, but he’s 13 now and pulled-up in his prep race.
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