On course for glory? The Grand National contenders with experience over the big fences

Experience can never be a bad thing, right?

Punters will likely look at previous efforts over the Grand National fences in assessing the chances of this year’s contenders and, while Aintree legend Red Rum is the only horse to win consecutive renewals of the great race since 1974, those with previous experience over the fences have gone well in subsequent tries.

Six Grand Nationals have now taken place over the modified fences designed with heightened welfare concerns in mind. In the past five renewals, 11 of the 25 runners to place in the first five (44 per cent) had previous experience of the new fences.

Trends for the great race are changing, with a greater stamina demand now in light of greater speed before more forgiving obstacles and younger horses, particularly eight-year-olds, are outperforming market expectations.

Yet big-field savvy around the famous obstacles is always something to keep on-side if the price allows, and currently twelve of this year’s contenders are in the weights proper with at least 10st while having previous experience over the National fences and priced at 50-1 or shorter.

Form over the Grand National fences: 1

Trainer: Gordon Elliott. Odds: 4-1

Last year’s hero won by a fast-diminishing head but travelled like a dream throughout. From his current weight, he looks the best chance of a back-to-back winner since Red Rum. In spectacular form this season and seemingly better than ever, he must go well.

Form over the Grand National fences: 4

Trainer: Tony Martin. Odds: 12-1.

Fourth in the Grand National last year and a career-best second in the Gold Cup last time, he probably has the best form credentials on offer. With just three weeks between Cheltenham and Aintree this year, a big effort in the blue riband does lead to some doubts about his freshness for the marathon trip here.

Form over the Grand National fences: 9, 2

Trainer: Willie Mullins. Odds: 25-1.

Only just denied last year after a fantastic late rattle, the nine-year-old is 7lbs higher as he bids to make it third time lucky in the great race. While Aintree has been the target all year, he was down the field in the Thyestes last time and well behind several other contenders here, notably Alpha Des Obeaux, Up For Review and Mall Dini.

Form over the Grand National fences: 1

Trainer: Robert Walford. Odds: 33-1.

Winner of the Becher Chase in December, he beat a very good yardstick in Vieux Lion Rouge who certainly knows his way around the Grand National fences. Walk In The Mill got in as the last reserve last year but was cruelly lame on the morning of the race and hopefully there are no problems this time. He wants further than the Becher trip and, on known evidence, must rank as the leading domestic contender.

Form over the Grand National fences: 5, 1

Trainer: Lucinda Russell. Odds: 33-1.

A famous winner of the race in 2017, he was fifth in the Becher during his preparation for Aintree. His aptitude for the course presents no problems, but he’s been lightly-raced since after injury problems and has not completed in his two subsequent starts. He is also rated 6lbs higher than his victory in 2017.

Form over the Grand National fences: 9

Trainer: Gordon Elliott. Odds: 40-1.

Down the field behind Walk In The Mill in the Becher earlier this season, that was his first start since finishing sixth in the Irish National nearly two years previously and didn’t feature in the Ultima at Cheltenham. He has to prove he retains all his ability and he doesn’t look leniently treated from a rating of 150.

Form over the Grand National fences: 4, 1, BD, 11

Trainer: Philip Kirby. Odds: 40-1.

Blaklion has good form over the Grand National fences, most notably when fourth behind One For Arthur in 2017. This will be his first start for Philip Kirby and the trainer is very positive after a recent spin at Wetherby. Drying ground will help and, with the necessary luck – he was brought down at the first last year when fancied – should go well again.

Form over the Grand National fences: 17 (behind Ultragold in 2017 Topham)

Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies. Odds: 40-1.

Well down the field in the Topham a few years ago, the ten-year-old is in good heart for his new trainer and likely has more to offer. He has good form at three miles but, like several candidates, has stamina to prove.

Form over the Grand National fences: F

Trainer: Gordon Elliott. Odds: 40-1.

The nine-year-old was going nicely in the big race last year when falling at The Chair on the second circuit. In good form this season, he continues to run well for two-time Grand National winner Gordon Elliott and makes appeal despite his rating of 162.

Form over the Grand National fences: F

Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies. Odds: 50-1.

A classy stayer and second in the Scottish National last season, the nine-year-old was always behind on his return in the Becher and fell at the eleventh after making some modest progress. That was an inauspicious start over the Grand National fences, but he does have the stamina required, as well as the speed to lie up with the field for most of the way if his jumping holds up.

Form over the Grand National fences: 7, 1, 6, 7, 9, 2

Trainer: David Pipe. Odds: 50-1.

His best form over the obstacles is a first and second in the Becher Chase, including this year behind Walk In The Mill. He’s run well in three Grand Nationals and loves this occasion but, beaten 48L, 27L and 58L respectively, there’s no real reason why this year will prove significantly better for this grand type.

Form over the Grand National fences: PU, 1

Trainer: Paul Nicholls. Odds: 50-1.

A winner over two and half miles in the Grand Sefton in December – a career-best - he previously negotiated the fences but faded in last year’s Grand National. He does have good form over three miles, but the more intermediate distance might prove best and his trainer is giving serious consideration to a tilt at the Topham Chase.