Everybody loves a grey, but those looking to strike gold with silver brigade in the
have found it tough going.
Only three greys have won the great race, which was first run in 1839.
The Lamb was the first to prevail in 1868 and he scored again in 1871. Ninety years would pass before Nicolaus Silver triumphed in 1961, and then there was another 51-year gap before Neptune Collonges squeezed home by a nose in 2012.
Enjoy the story of Neptune Collonges. He was retired oin the spot after his win in 2012 and is now 24
However, plenty of greys have been placed over the past three decades and, if nothing else, at least they are easy to identify in the blur of bays, silks and spruce fences.
Suny Bay was an admirable second in 1997 and 1998, while
What’s Up Boys was runner-up in 2002.
Kingsmark made the frame in 2002, while
King Johns Castle found only one too good in 2008. And in 2023,
and
Gaillard Du Mesnil finished second and third.
On Saturday, there are seven in contention. It is rare they ever have mustered such a squad, especially with only 34 runners allowed to take part these days.
Here is a guide to their prospects.
INTENSE RAFFLES
Age: 7. Races: 15. Wins: 6. Odds: 9-1.
Gets his
features from his mum, Une Artiste, who was a smart trained by Nicky Henderson.
Intense Raffles won a stamina-sapping Irish Grand National on heavy ground last year and enhanced his
claims when a good second in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last time. Meets his narrow conqueror on 15lb better terms and is 5lb well-in at the weights, which were framed before that contest.
He’s an accurate jumper with staying power and his trainer says he’s got a fabulous temperament. The one negative is that his best form has been in the mud and it’s going to be sunny, rather than rainy, in Liverpool this week.
Grey to pay? Must go well if coping with the drying ground.
VANILLIER
Age: 10. Races: 27. Wins: 4. Odds: 12-1.
Two of his four siblings are also greys, but he’s the star among the family.
Ran a cracker when runner-up two years ago but cut little ice when trying to go one better 12 months ago. Blinkers have galvanised him on his most recent starts in cross-country races, with an easy win at Punchestown being followed by a staying-on third to stablemate Stumptown at Cheltenham. Latter effort needs marking up as his rider compromised his chance by almost taking the wrong course.
Grey to pay? Demands a second look, although the value has been squeezed out of his price.
KANDOO KID
Age: 7. Races: 15. Wins: 4. Odds: 20-1.
Gets the greyness from the dam’s side of his pedigree. Took well to the National fences when a close third in the Topham last year and scooped the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on his return. He disappointed last time over a shorter trip, although that run was probably just to keep him ticking over. Remains unexposed as a stayer and has had a light campaign with this race at the top of his agenda for 12 months.
Grey to pay? Fine jumper who has proven himself over the spruce fences.
HYLAND
Age: 7. Races: 15. Wins: 6. Odds: 20-1.
His sire, Turgeon, was a grey and lived to the age of 33, although not all his offspring inherited his colour.
was a useful staying hurdler who has enjoyed a decent first season over fences, although this could be a bit of a shock to his system given that he’s mostly been contesting small-field novice chases. Distant second in a Kempton handicap last time under a change of tactics (often a front-runner but came from well off the pace).
Nicky Henderson, his six-time champion trainer, has famously never landed the National despite holding a licence since 1978. Despite being 74, Henderson is showing no hints of greyness.
Grey to pay? The novice should have more to offer but others are more persuasive.
DUFFLE COAT
Age: 8. Races: 31. Wins: 5. Odds: 100-1.
His Dad, Alhebayeb, was a grey who excelled as a two-year-old, as was his speedy grandad, Dark Angel.
scooped his first four races over hurdles but has found life tough going since then, gaining only one more victory from 27 races. Has run well in defeat several times, including when runner-up in the Galway Plate in July, and might have been placed in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last time, too, but for being brought down two out.
Grey to pay? Type to outrun his massive odds but up against it for win purposes.
COKO BEACH
Age: 10. Races: 41. Wins: 7. Odds: 100-1.
His dam, Solana Beach, was a grey. Unoriginally, five of her six offspring have inherited the word Beach in their names.
will be running in the National for the fourth successive year (not many greys will have done that) but he’s made little impact in previous years and is also possibly not as good as he once was.
Grey to pay? The one ray of light for his supporters is that he has tumbled in the weights.
FIL DOR
Age: 7. Races: 25. Wins: 6. Odds: 100-1.
Neither his sire or dam were grey, and he ould not have been born grey (none evert are).. Sometimes things skip a generation and no doubt
gets his looks from his grandsire and great grandsire, who were both gretys.
His best form has been over shorter and there’s nothing in his form or pedigree to suggest he will stay anything like this far. Grey to pay? The other six look better qualified.
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