Sorry Mack only just got to your PM, interested in taking part if that's still okay.

Sorry Mack only just got to your PM, interested in taking part if that's still okay.

Yes that's absolutely fine, Jade. Thanks, :)

 

 

Let the draw commence!

 

Mack

5) The Big Dog (IRE) 10 11-5 Peter Fahey IRE Aidan Coleman 16/1

 

About:

He’s not you know, instead a very tough, talented and reliable staying chaser. He’s won a National in Munster, finished third in one in Wales but if he’s to win the Grandest of them all, he’ll need to avoid making the odd mistake that he’s prone to.

 

Dobbo

30) Cloudy Glen (IRE) 10 10-4 Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch 50/1

 

About:

Carries the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings which are so synonymous with the great race but hard to get too enthusiastic over his recent efforts.

 

Sarah

4) Fury Road (IRE) 9 11-6 Gordon Elliott IRE Jonjo O'Neill Jr 66/1

 

About:

Got going too late in the Ryanair at Cheltenham but is talented and might just take to this test too. One of the Gordon Elliott armada and a player.

 

More information on the horses for you all:

 

(Mack)- The Big Dog

About: Big improver in the autumn, winning a couple of valuable 3m handicap chases in Ireland before a fine third in the Welsh National. Took an uncharacteristic fall in the Irish Gold Cup last time which is hardly the ideal preparation, but otherwise he's one of the more likely types.

 

(Dobbo)- Cloudy Glen

About: Hard to predict but was runner-up in the Kim Muir 2 years ago and won the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury on return last season. Jumped well but had a hard race on his return at Haydock and bombed out behind Corach Rambler at Cheltenham. Trainer and owners have enjoyed success in this over the years.

 

(Sarah)- Fury Road

Very smart on his day but hard to catch right. His third to Galopin des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup in February reads well though and he may appreciate this much stiffer test on a belated start in a handicap having been caught out in the Ryanair last time. 1 of 8 for Gordon Elliott.

Riser

3) Galvin (IRE) 9 11-11 Gordon Elliott IRE Davy Russell 18/1

 

About:

Davy Russell came out of retirement for Cheltenham, went back in it during the final day of that meeting, only to be resurrected over Easter to take the ride on this fellow. Tiger Roll’s jockey teams up with Gordon Elliott again and has a big chance of bowing out in glory – if in fact he is bowing out. Or is out of retirement.

 

Houdini

18) Cape Gentleman (IRE) 7 10-8 John Hanlon IRE Jody McGarvey 80/1

 

About:

Shark Hanlon was tasked with finding a National runner for a new American owner. Mission accomplished with this fellow but even his optimistic trainer admits there are some stamina doubts to answer.

 

King Rollo

23) Vanillier (FR) 8 10-6 Gavin Cromwell IRE Sean Flanagan 16/1

 

About:

Ice, Ice Baby. Sorry only me then. He’s a player – the horse, not good old Vanilla – after a fine prep in the Bobbyjo (see for yourself with the full replay below). So stop, collaborate and listen: get him on the shortlist.

 

More information on the horses for you all:

 

(Riser)- Galvin

About: Tough and genuine performer with a good Cheltenham Festival record, second to a stablemate with an even better one in Delta Work on his first go in a cross-country race last month. Has to meet that one on 7 lb worse terms here though. Davy Russell, seeking a third National win, back in the saddle.

 

(Houdini)- Cape Gentleman

About: Smart chaser at best and took a step back in the right direction on second start for this yard when behind Velvet Elvis at Fairyhouse 10 weeks ago. Never raced beyond 3m though (all wins over shorter) and he has plenty on his plate.

 

(King Rollo)- Vanillier

About: Grade 1 hurdles winner over 3m and ran an eye-catching race in Fairyhouse Grade 3 chase 7 weeks ago, closing all the way behind the classy Kemboy without being not knocked about. Should stay this far and if keeping the mistakes down he could go well.

LiamSime

14) Darasso (FR) 10 10-13 Joseph O'Brien IRE Luke Dempsey 80/1

 

About:

I backed him ante-post for the 2020 Champion Hurdle. No honestly, I did. I won’t be backing him for the 2023 Randox Grand National as he’s been out-of-sorts of late. But haven’t we all.

 

awardinary

31) Hill Sixteen 10 10-2 Sandy Thomson Ryan Mania 66/1

 

About:

The pride of sporting Dundee and proven around these big fences but probably needs a deluge or two to have a chance of sending his owners and legions of fans dancing for joy on the banks of the Tay.

 

Brett-Butler

40) Born By The Sea (IRE) 9 9-10 John Gilligan IRE Phillip Enright 80/1

 

About:

He’ll be a big price – and understandably so – so one for those who can see the beach when they fling open their curtains on a morning. Or those who moved inland but used to be able to.

 

More information on the horses for you all:

 

(LiamSime)- Darasso

About: Admirable dual purpose performer who was third in the Kerry National in September and scored at Thurles in December. Well beaten the last twice though and looks up against it on his first go in a marathon handicap.

 

(awardinary)- Hill Sixteen

About: Close second in the mud over these fences in the 2021 Becher but patchy form since, well held again at Kelso (lost a shoe) after 4 months off/another breathing operation at Kelso 3 weeks ago. Cheekpieces go on and he should stay this far. Jockey rode the 66/1-winner of this in 2013.

 

(Brett-Butler)- Born By The Sea

About: Useful handicap chaser at his best who has failed to figure (albeit faced with stiff tasks) last 4 starts and would be a surprising winner from out of the weights.

PeteFromLeeds

11) Coko Beach (FR) 8 11-0 Gordon Elliott IRE Harry Cobden 50/1

 

About:

He’s grey and cut a fine sight out in front for much of last year’s race. He didn’t stay – nor did he in the Irish National previously. If you like to back a horse you’ll get to see a lot during the race on ITV then you could do a lot worse. If you want one who’s in front on ITV at the winning post, you could do a lot better.

 

Oliver

7) Delta Work (FR) 10 11-4 Gordon Elliott IRE Keith Donoghue 8/1

 

About:

Owned by Michael O’Leary, trained by Gordon Elliott and the winner of the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase. He’s not Tiger Roll but is a very plausible Randox Grand National winner for the same team minus Davy Russell. Who is still out of retirement as I type this.

 

Steve201

24) Velvet Elvis (IRE) 7 10-6 Thomas Gibney IRE Darragh O'Keefe 33/1

 

About:

Second to Any Second Now at Navan last time and fans of the King (Presley not Charles) will be lining up to back this fellow. Can’t have them all on the shortlist though.

 

Doctor Blind

19) Roi Mage (FR) 11 10-8 Patrick Griffin IRE Felix de Giles 50/1

 

About:

I spent ages trying to get the English translation and think it’s wise man – something I’m clearly not. Another useful Irish staying handicap chaser who if he gets the break might pick up some gold.

More information on the horses for you all:

 

(PeteFromLeeds)- Coko Beach

About: Gordon Elliott-trained grey who led for a long way in the Thyestes won by Carefully Selected before scoring himself for the first time in 2 years at Punchestown 8 weeks ago. Didn't get home in the 2021 Irish National or in this 12 months ago (eighth off 5 lb lower).

 

(Oliver)- Delta Work

About: Last year's third won the Cross Country Chase for the second year running at Cheltenham last month, seeing off Galvin having denied National hero Tiger Roll 12 months earlier. It was a big effort from him from 1 lb higher in 2022 having made early mistakes and he'll be sharper this time. Big player.

 

(Steve201)- Velvet Elvis

About: Made all at Fairyhouse in February and fair run behind Any Second Now at Navan 4 weeks ago. Stamina to prove here though (finished tired in last year's Irish National) and hard to see him in the shake up.

 

(Doctor Blind)- Roi Mage

About: Eight-time winning chaser who struck for new yard at Down Royal last spring. Second to Longhouse Poet bidding for the repeat 4 weeks ago and plenty of others have stronger claims given he's prone to mistakes.

Here we go with the second part of the Grand National Sweepstake Draw:

 

Brett-Butler:

 

28) Mr Incredible (IRE) 7 10-4 Willie Mullins IRE Brian Hayes 12/1

 

About:

 

Has his quirks (has refused to race) but also a ton of ability, placed in valuable staying handicap chases the last twice, his effort flattening out as he wandered badly on the run-in in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last month. Will stay and has it in him to run a huge race if taking to the test.

King Rollo:

 

15) Le Milos 8 10-11 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 14/1

 

About:

Has improved further for new yard this term, winning hot Newbury handicap chase in November (Corach Rambler fourth) and shaping best in second on first run since at Kelso 6 weeks ago, sent for home earlier than ideal. Had a hard race there but is very much the type who'll take well to this test.

 

Brer:

 

33) Recite A Prayer (IRE) 8 10-1 Willie Mullins IRE Jack Foley 66/1

 

About:

Won the Killarney National last spring and good efforts at Listowel/Clonmel in the autumn. Well beaten over these fences in the Becher and at Leopardstown in December though and looks down the Willie Mullins' pecking order back from a break.

 

35) Our Power (IRE) 8 10-0 Sam Thomas Sam Twiston-Davies 20/1

 

About:

Improving and likeable chaser who has won valuable 3m handicaps at Ascot and Kempton 4 months apart this term, jumping soundly and holding on gamely 7 weeks ago. Done well to get a run as a progressive sort (due to be 4 lb higher in the future) and well in the mix if he stays.

 

 

Oliver:

 

13) Gaillard du Mesnil (FR) 7 11-0 Willie Mullins IRE Paul Townend 14/1

 

About:

Very smart grey who was third in last year's Irish National and proved all stamina when landing the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last month. Not always fluent there though and did have quite a hard race. 1 of 4 for Willie Mullins (won this just once, in 2005).

Dobbo:

 

29) Mister Coffey (FR) 8 10-4 Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville 50/1

 

About:

 

Talented but rather frustrating performer who was placed again at the Cheltenham Festival when third to Gaillard du Mesnil in the NH Chase, wilting from 2 out. Didn't take to these fences in last year's Topham and with his stamina doubts he's unlikely to be Nicky Henderson's first winner in this.

Doctor Blind

 

37) Francky du Berlais (FR) 10 10-0 Peter Bowen Ben Jones 66/1

 

About:

 

Notched up a second win in the valuable Summer Plate at Market Rasen last summer. Looked energised by step up to a marathon trip in cross country race at Cheltenham in January and shaped well again on that course last month (might have hung on for third if finishing). Could go well for a long way.

LiamSime:

 

22) Minella Trump (IRE) 9 10-6 Donald McCain Theo Gillard 40/1

 

About:

The winningmost horse of last season (won 8 of his 9 starts at up to 3m, mostly in small-field contests). Should have come on for his first run in 10 months at Bangor 3 weeks ago but doesn't look well enough handicapped to take this for 2011's winning trainer.

 

Steve201:

 

26) Corach Rambler (IRE) 9 10-5 Lucinda Russell Derek Fox 7/1f

 

About:

Leaped into favouritism for this with a second successive win in the Ultima Handicap at the Cheltenham Festival, idling late having quickened smartly to lead. 10 lb well-in and Scottish yard won this with One For Arthur in 2017. Obvious chance if he doesn't get too far back.

PeteFromLeeds:

 

10) Carefully Selected (IRE) 11 11-1 Willie Mullins IRE Michael O'Sullivan 50/1

 

About:

Very lightly raced for an 11-y-o but better than ever back from 33 months off this term, relishing the slog through the Gowran mud as he edged out Dunboyne in the Thyestes in January. Better than the result at Fairyhouse since but wouldn't be sure to take to these fences. Excellent young rider up.

awardinary:

 

16) Escaria Ten (FR) 9 10-10 Gordon Elliott IRE Adrian Heskin 66/1

 

About:

 

Very smart staying chaser on his day but is a weak finisher, running a tame race at Cheltenham last month. Held in ninth from a similar mark in this last year and hard to fancy. Usual headgear removed.

Jade:

 

27) Enjoy d'Allen (FR) 9 10-5 Ciaran Murphy IRE Simon Torrens 80/1

 

About:

Dual winning chaser who got no further than the first in this last year having been purchased by top owner and he's been well held since, going with little fluency at Fairyhouse 7 weeks ago. Tongue tie back on.

 

1) Any Second Now (IRE) 11 11-12 Ted Walsh IRE Mark Walsh 16/1

 

About:

Has come alive in this race for the last 2 years, arguably unlucky not to win when third in 2021 and finding only Noble Yeats too good 12 months ago, briefly looking like the winner at the last. Warmed up with a smooth Navan success from Velvet Elvis last month but is 8 lb higher third time around.

Sarah:

 

38) Fortescue 9 9-13 Henry Daly Hugh Nugent 50/1

 

About:

Useful chaser who relished the emphasis on stamina when landing a listed handicap at Ascot (3m, heavy) last season. Hasn't taken to this course in 2 tries though, never going well from the third in this last year and looking laboured in the Becher in December. Different headgear. Hard to fancy.

Riser:

 

36) Dunboyne (IRE) 8 10-0 Gordon Elliott IRE Jack Tudor 66/1

 

About:

Off the mark over fences in the Gowran mud in November and went close behind Carefully Selected in valuable handicap there in January. Kept on from a long way back in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last month and sterner headgear tried upped markedly in trip now.

Mack:

 

9) Lifetime Ambition (IRE) 8 11-3 Jessica Harrington IRE Sean O'Keefe 25/1

 

About:

Good jumper who took pretty well to these fences in the Grand Sefton in November before chasing home The Big Dog in the Troytown at Navan. Well held since (over hurdles latest) and is a doubtful stayer. Others preferred.