The Aintree Grand National, recognised as the oldest gem of jump racing, is set to serve as an example of the modernity of today’s sport. World-renowned steeplechase continues to make strides in enhancing equine safety, resulting in a reduced maximum field size of 34 participants. Nonetheless, the Irish continue to prevail in numbers, with a record-equaling 26 competitors hailing from Ireland.
Famed trainers Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott both contribute eight runners each, equalling the total contingent from the UK. JP McManus sends a cluster of his horses looking for his third victory. Michael O’Leary, the chief of Ryanair, has four entries vying for his fourth win.
This has prompted discussions by the British Horseracing Authority to consider potentially capping the number of runners for to individual in prominent handicaps like the National. Yet, these considerations were quickly dismissed, as were the less than realistic proposals presented by Dr Richard Newland, the victorious trainer of the 2014 Grand National.
The domestic defence will be led once more by Scotland’s very own champion, Corach Rambler who managed to thwart the Irish competitors last year. The aim is to make him the eighth double-National winner. Success was also tasted by Trainer Lucinda Russell and Sligo-born jockey Derek Fox in 2017 with the horse, One For Arthur.
Kitty’s Light from Wales will also compete under Christian Williams, whose focus remains on his seven-year-old daughter Betsy’s courageous fight against serious illness.
The existing scenario significantly highlights the concentration of resources among a select few in Ireland, most visible in this National.
While it may be easy to discount some of the Elliott eight as unlikely winners, Aintree’s history of undersogs triumphing should not be overlooked, notably the recent victory by Noble Yeats. He carries top weight this time around as he strives to emulate his 50-1 success in 2022.
It would be unwise to dismiss any of Willie Mullins’s horses, such is the extent of his influence in the sport.
The dominance was reiterated once again with nine victories at Cheltenham, matching the entire British score alone. Assuming he secures the £500,000 prize pot at the National, it will position him favourably for his inaugural trainer’s title in Britain when the season concludes later this month.
Should I Am Maximus prove influential for Mullins, Paul Townend, in his modest manner, might gain an exceptional and unique place in history. Throughout the years, some of the game’s highest-profile jockeys have achieved the non-official Triple Crown of jump racing and also triumphed in the National, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and the Champion Hurdle over their careers.
Following the triumphs of Galopin Des Champs and State Man in Cheltenham’s two prime awards, Townend has an opportunity to achieve this exceptional accomplishment within a single season. His thirteenth ride in the race could turn out to be fortuitous.
Rachael Blackmore could have outdone Townend in 2021 if she hadn’t overlooked Minella Indo in the Gold Cup. Blackmore’s victory on Minella Times remains one of the most memorable outcomes in contemporary National history. This year, she teams up with Indo as one of Henry De Bromhead’s trio.
Golden Miller completed the prestigious Gold Cup-Grand National double 90 years prior while L’Escargot is the only other horse to clinch both, though he bided his time for three years after his second Cheltenham win to defeat Red Rum in 1975.
Approaching age 11, Minella Indo is considered a seasoned horse; recent years have demonstrated a trend for younger horses to prosper around the modern challenge of the National. The last eight victors have been under the age of 10. This doesn’t bode well for Elliott’s potential number-one contender, Delta Work, nor for Roi Mage, one of a duo of 12-year-olds.
Meetingofthewaters and Limerick Lace stand as two key contenders for JP McManus, while the latter’s trainer Gavin Cromwell could have a significant opportunity with last year’s second-placed horse Vanillier. The success rate of Cromwell’s overseas ventures, emphasised by the victory of Limerick Lace’s full brother Inothewayurthinkin at Grade One level on Friday, indicates both are crowd favourites.
The esteemed horse trainer, Martin Brassil, crowned National winner in 2006 with Numbersixvalverde, has recently sought to challenge the dominant forces in this arena with his small team hailing from Curragh. The drying Aintree ground may prove favourable for his hopeful contender, the feather-weighted Panda Boy. However, the distinctive demands of the National are being diluted, a change that might well prove beneficial for those equine candidates that are largely primed to battle it out at Aintree.
Tackling his eighth fencing start, Mahler Mission’s participations so far hint at promise not yet fully tapped, his admirable second place finish in Newbury’s Coral Cup signalling an impending rise to Grade One. Despite the obstacle course taking its toll on his front shoes, his performance spoke volumes. His ability to adapt to any manner of terrain, coupled with his excellent stamina and growing potential, altogether point towards a promising handicap edge.
Irish trainer John McConnell from County Meath and jockey Ben Harvey are gearing up to launch their first National with Mahler Mission, setting themselves apart from the commercial giants in the sector. Despite any potential shortcoming in experience, Mahler Mission is a probable contender for becoming the fifth Irish National Winner in just six editions.
Top Predictions: 1. Mahler Mission, 2. Panda Boy, 3. Capodanno, 4. Kitty’s Light
Headlines to keep an eye on
Uplifting Outcome: KiTTY’S LIGHT’s triumph will inevitably warm even the most cynical hearts. Christian Williams, the Welsh trainer, has soldiered on through a challenging period following his seven-year-old daughter Betsy’s battle with leukemia just over twelve months ago. Promising developments in her treatment have sparked hope, however, she must continue her daily chemotherapy regimen for another two years. It’s been more than a century since a Welsh-trained horse won the National, and everyone would welcome an end to this long drought.
To Start or Not to Start: The implementation of a standing start might put pay to false starts, but it could also allow MR INCREDIBLE to display his unconventional behaviour if his momentum was to be interrupted. He has previously shown his defiance by either refusing to participate or pulling himself out of another race. But he’s shown signs of more commendable behaviour recently, even if he maintains his eccentric flair and unpredictable demeanour.
“Maxwell Takes the Reins: David Maxwell, a wealthy entrepreneur and amateur rider, has a cowboy-like way with horses that starkly contrasts with Frankie Dettori. He recently acquired AIN’T THAT A SHAME to compete in the National – his maiden appearance. The horse was victorious at the Thyestes in Gowran in January, with Rachael Blackmore as its rider. Despite the horse’s National odds climbing to 50-1 after Maxwell’s purchase, the sporting owner is unbothered, having always dreamt of participating in the race.
The Silent Son of Limerick: JP McManus, the renowned son of Limerick, is putting his bets on various hopefuls as he seeks his third National victory. Breaking a long-held silence, he announced backing LIMERICK LACE at 25-1. Given the encouraging odds of his other hopefuls, I Am Maximus and Meetingofthewaters, many have followed suit, leading to the mare’s price reduction. If she wins, she’ll be the first mare in 73 years to do so.
An Unlikely Run: LATENIGHTPASS, under the tutelage of point-to-point trainer Tom Ellis, trained specifically for Aintree. The horse is in the care of Ellis’s mother and will be ridden by his wife, Gina Andrews. Their team triumphed at the Foxhunters across the National fences the previous year. The combination presents an unlikely winning pattern, something that could inspire an improbable film script.