April 8Apr 8 Author Here we go then with the first part of the draw:@Riser 25 The Real Whacker (IRE) 10 10-9 Patrick Neville Gavin Sheehan 66/1About:Never quite gone on from his win in the 2023 Brown Advisory where he defeated Gerri Colombe with just a solitary win to his name since then albeit in the 2024 Grade 2 Charlie Hall. Has plied his trade in top class company for the most part of late but his recent form does leave something to be desired and he was well beaten over hurdles last time and whilst he may complete the course he’s likely to have plenty to do in front of him.
April 8Apr 8 Author @Dobbo1 I Am Maximus (FR) 10 11-12 Willie Mullins IRE Paul Townend 7/1fAbout:The 2024 Aintree hero and last year’s runner-up returns under top weight for the second year running. A fair fifth in the Irish Gold Cup on his most recent start and second in the Savills Chase before that. Proven over the National fences and clearly trained for this, but no horse aged 10 or older has won since 2014, and the burden of 11st 12lb is a serious task but on his past experience will stand him in good stead and there is the prospect of him running another sound race around a course that suits.
April 8Apr 8 Author @Brett-Butler 19 Stellar Story (IRE) 9 10-11 Gordon Elliott IRE Robert Dunne 25/1About:The Albert Bartlett winner in 2024 when he touched off King George hero The Jukebox Man, however despite some smart placed form since then he has only managed to win once over fences, a three-runner affair on chasing debut. He does come into this though on the back of a good third to Grangeclare West in the Bobbyjo Chase where he was conceding 8lb to all bar one of his rivals. The fact that he finds plenty for pressure is an asset and whilst he should stay this trip softer ground would be preferable.
April 8Apr 8 Author @Cupid Stunts 30 Marble Sands (FR) 10 10-5 David Killahena & Graeme McPherson Kielan Woods 100/1About:Has lines of form behind some smart Grade One performers and won over 3m 3f at Cheltenham in November. Stamina is less of a worry than for many. Was 12th in last year’s Topham, where he didn’t appear to relish the Canal Turn but it would be debatable if he was quick enough for that relatively sharp test. Been kept fresh for this but has to be considered to be a longshot for a race such as this.
April 8Apr 8 Author @Houdini 23 Perceval Legallois (FR) 9 10-9 Gavin Cromwell IRE Harry Cobden 33/1About:Only run twice since falling at Valentine’s on the first circuit last year when a well fancied 10-1 chance for the race having won his previous two races. Not seen since New Year’s Day when beaten 31L at Tramore by Heart Wood although he was given an easy time in that and has clearly been waiting for this. Has had his jumping issues though and that would be a worry for anyone supporting him here.
April 8Apr 8 Author @Steve201 16 Oscars Brother (IRE) 8 10-13 Connor King IRE Daniel King 16/1About:Part of a very strong hand that owner JP McManus will hold in this year’s National this progressive novice has proved to be a revelation since being sent over fences only finishing out of the first two when set his stiffest task last time at Cheltenham in the Grade 1 Brown Advisory. Finishing a creditable 4th there doing all his best work in the closing stages in the manner of one who will relish a real staying test. Unexposed and progressive but fighting against a stark historical trend of being a novice and the last of those to win was Rule The World in 2016 (the first since 1958), softer ground would also suit but very hard to rule out of the equation.
April 8Apr 8 Author @Viper* 14 Favori De Champdou (FR) 11 11-1 Gordon Elliott IRE Danny Gilligan 28/1About:Being campaigned much like Tiger Roll for the same connections. Second in the cross-country at Cheltenham and a winner of a big Leopardstown handicap in December where he sprang a 66-1 shock. Stamina is in no doubt; the only worry is whether age is catching up with him plus others could be better handicapped but certainly not written off given his connections and recent form.
April 8Apr 8 Author @Slick 7 Spillane's Tower (IRE) 8 11-8 Jimmy Mangan IRE Simon Torrens 28/1About:Talented but unconventionally campaigned, with a couple of recent hurdle outings before reverting to fences and beating L’Homme Presse at Cheltenham when he was well treated at the weights and that form has been shown to be on the tepid side since. Stamina for 4m 2½f over the National fences is the obvious unknown and he would need some cut in the ground to take his part here having also been declared for the Aintree Bowl on Thursday.
April 8Apr 8 Author @Bror 21 Captain Cody (IRE) 8 10-10 Willie Mullins IRE Jonathan Burke 16/1About:Impressive winner of the four-mile Scottish National last year off a mark of 140 that proved he had the stamina for a test such as this. Returned from his summer break to finish third (of six) in a very competitive Grade 1 Drinmore Chase (finished with running left), form since not of that level but his 5th last time out in the Bobbyjo Chase certainly looked promising with regard to this event and back on a sound surface he’s certainly amongst the leading hopes.
April 8Apr 8 Author @Mack 24 Gorgeous Tom (IRE) 8 10-9 Henry de Bromhead IRE Sean Flanagan 25/1About:Fourth in the Coral Gold Cup, a race whose finishers have a habit of going on to land the National he’s only been seen once since then when finishing 5th at Leopardstown in a Listed handicap chase having jumped well up with the pace until the lack of a recent outing told. All of his best form is on a sound surface and if the ground stays good that will enhance his chance further, certainly one to include in the lively outsider category.
April 8Apr 8 Author @King Rollo 17 Mr Vango (IRE) 10 10-12 Sara Bradstock Jack Tudor 66/1About:Far better last season where he rattled off a hat-trick of staying chase victories all from the front culminating in taking the Midland National (4m2f) off a mark of 143. Beaten only a nose in the Becher Chase on his seasonal return showing that he handles these unique fences well. Well below-par on his latest two starts, pulled up on both occasions he needs a renaissance and some soft ground at least to have a chance and while he won’t fail through a lack of stamina he does have a lot of question marks against his chance.
April 8Apr 8 Author @Lee_J11 11 Lecky Watson (IRE) 8 11-2 Willie Mullins IRE Sean O'Keeffe 33/1About:Has shown nothing in Group One company this season since winning the Grade 1 Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival in 2025. That form has proven to be underwhelming and his two most recent outings have been blighted by jumping errors. Trained by a master of his craft it would still be a surprise if he could be rejuvenated enough to win a race of this quality and class.
April 8Apr 8 Author @Jade 18 High Class Hero (GB) 9 10-11 Willie Mullins IRE James Bowen 50/1About:An early-career winning machine over hurdles, a forte that remains his best he has been harder to predict more recently over fences, pulling up on his last two starts under big weights in two top-class staying handicaps. A creditable third off 5lb lower in the bet365 Gold Cup last April showed what he could be capable of over fences but his recent form has to leave plenty of doubts in the minds of his backers.
April 8Apr 8 Author @Henessy Lake 15 Three Card Brag (IRE) 9 11-0 Gordon Elliott IRE Jordan Gainford 50/1About:Well fancied for last year’s renewal (went off a 16-1 chance) he was far too enthusiastic (close up second for much of the way) before fading to finish 11th. Looks to have improved this season though winning a good Cheltenham staying chase off a stiff mark that effort coming in the middle of taking the runner-up slot in two top-class staying handicaps. Finished well beaten in the Bobbyjo off a break (needed race) and looks to have been aimed at this race again although his mark, 10lb higher than last year makes his task far from an easy one.
April 9Apr 9 Author Please note Nick Rockett then his replacement Pied Piper now just confirmed that Spillane's Tower is an non-runner.
April 9Apr 9 Author Hope this is only fair, I will redraw the horse for @Slick @Slick 33 Johnnywho (IRE) 9 10-4 Jonjo & A J O'Neill Richie McLernon 14/1About:Has built up a fine CV in big staying handicap and on the back of wind surgery and wearing first-time cheekpieces he finally landed first prize in one when winning the Ultima (beat Jagwar) at the Cheltenham Festival. Jumped and travelled well in that race and responded well under a fine ride from Richie McLernon who will be doing the steering again here. Just the sort to run well here and is well in at the weights with the trip no problem and gives owner JP McManus another strong string to his bow.
April 9Apr 9 Author Second part of the draw will be taking place tonight, if there are any further non-runners, I will keep you all posted.
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