In 2017, Lucinda
Russell’s One For Arthur romped home under a superb ride from Derek
Fox but the defending champion was ruled out of the Aintree showpiece
after suffering a season-ending injury. Despite that obvious
disappointment, the race must go on.
However, there
are still plenty of top-class horses in the mix and it would take a
brave man to rule anybody out at this moment in time. All 40
competitors have made the cut on merit and chief handicapper Phil
Smith has judged entries well this year.
But enough
chitchat; it is time to look at a few of the market principles ahead
of the 2018 event. We have narrowed down the field to six prime
contenders but who is YOUR Grand National winner? Check out our
thoughts on this year's race below.
Fresh Legs Could Help Minella Rocco
Last year’s
Gold Cup runner-up was originally aimed at a second bite at that
particular cherry but the ground was of some concern at the Festival.
Instead, Minella Rocco will go for the Grand National and he
could feature prominently. Stamina is no issue for this horse; he won
the four-miler at Cheltenham back in 2016 and that is a key box
ticked on your Aintree checklist.
The form behind
this horse is very strong indeed. He has finished before Native River
on two separate occasions and Colin Tizzard’s mount has just won a
Cheltenham Gold Cup. He will have to contend with carrying top weight
but Minella Rocco has the class, stamina and speed to romp home in
this famous Merseyside event.
Total Recall Travelling Well When Falling In Gold Cup
According to the
latest odds and tips from
over at Timeform, Total Recall is the current ante-post favourite
for the 2018 Grand National. He was travelling well in fifth when
falling at the third last fence in the Cheltenham Gold Cup but was
never going to catch Might Bite or eventual winner Native River on
that day. Total Recall could go close at Aintree, though, if he has a
safe trip around.
Prior to that
Gold Cup run, Total Recall had won three races in a row – all three
had fields of 16 runners or more. His ability to compete against a
lot of opponents should stand him in good stead here and that may be
why he heads the betting at 11/1. Plenty of tipsters will be backing
him to go all the way this year and he could lead off as favourite on
April 14th.
Bellshill Heading To Aintree?
Fifth in the
Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse over the Easter Bank
Holiday weekend, Bellshill could set his sights on Aintree. Willie
Mullins’ mount was leading at the final fence but appeared to be
distracted and eventually finished fifth – beaten by one and a
half lengths in a dramatic finish. 29th in the weights,
Bellshill is well placed to push his rivals close on the other side
of the Irish Sea.
Ruby Walsh will
not feature in this year’s race after suffering an injury at
Cheltenham but his loss is Paul Townend’s gain. Townend has ridden
Bellshill a few times, as has David Mullins and it could be a
difficult jockey choice for connections. On paper, Townend is
arguably the more gifted rider and his experience in a race of this
magnitude could be telling.
Ucello Conti Well In At The Handicap
Gordon Elliott
has kept Ucello Conti fresh specifically
with this race in mind and he could be there or thereabouts at
the business end of the race. Doubts remain over his ability to stay,
especially with no prep run before this year’s event, but he stayed
when finishing a gallant sixth in this race back in 2016. You could
argue that he is arguably better placed to challenge now.
Treated quite
kindly by the handicapper, Ucello Conti has the quality to go close –
it would be foolish to write him off. He is available at 25/1 with
most high street bookmakers and is a sure-fire thing to go off at a
much shorter price on the day. With a bit of luck, connections may be
celebrating at Aintree come next weekend.
Anibale Fly Capable Of Another Big Run
There weren’t
many tipsters backing Anibale Fly to place in this year’s Gold
Cup but that is exactly what happened. After a low-key ride under
Barry Geraghty, he finished quickly but was never able to challenge
the two leaders. However, finishing third in such a prestigious race
is no easy feat and Anibale Fly must be respected for that result.
Based on that
performance, stamina should not be too much of an issue. He has won
and placed in two separate races of three miles or longer and he can
perform on different types of ground. Versatility is needed to shine
in big-field races like this one and he could be the next Grand
National winner. At 14/1, he is certainly backable for another
positive effort.
Last Chance For The Last Samuri?
You’d be hard
pressed to find a more well-received winner than Kim Bailey's charge.
An agonising
second to Rule The World in this race two years ago, The
Last Samuri headed back to Aintree last year and finished a
respectable 16th after carrying top weight. Now fourth in the
handicap, his trainer believes that he is talented enough to
challenge near the front once again.
Unfortunately,
he will have to reverse the form with Gordon Elliott’s Tiger Roll,
winner of the 2018 Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Tiger Roll is much better off at the weights and The Last Samuri may
find this one a stretch too far. It would be the stuff of dreams if
he can give connections one more memorable day out.