- Saturday’s Racing Preview Aintree
- Bags of money loaded-up on Snow Leopardess
By Andrew Atkinson
Gordon Elliott trained Delta Work goes to post in Saturday’s £1m Randox Aintree Grand National as short as 7-1 to win the prestigious showcase National Hunt race.
Elliott’s Gigginstown based team have an ace in the pack in Cheltenham Festival Cross-Country winner Delta Work.
“He’s had a good prep. It has been a good stepping stone for the race for me and he’s in good form,” said Elliott.
Delta Work leads another strong National challenge from Elliott, seeking a record-equalling fourth success in the race.
Fred Rimell and Red Rum’s trainer Ginger McCain both saddled four National winners, as did George Dockeray in the 19th century.
Elliott, trainer of National twice-winner Tiger Roll, has eight entries. Davy Russell has chosen to ride Elliott trained Run Wild Fred, priced at 16-1 from 22-1, runner up in the 2021 Irish National and in the National Hunt Chase in March.
Elliot trained Mount Ida is priced at 25-1 from 33-1 under Denis Regan. Elliot trained Escaria Ten is also well supported at 10-1, ridden by AP Heskin.
Elliott, also successful with Silver Birch in 2007, said: “We’ve a lot of good chances in the race this year. Escaria Ten has had a good preparation. Run Wild Fred is there – we can’t wait.”
Minella Times, last year’s winner, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, under 10st 3lbs, lumps top weight of 11st 10lbs over the gruelling 4m 2f 40 runners’ race.
Minella Times would have to put up the best weight-carrying performance to return to the winner’s enclosure since Ginger McCain snr trained Red Rum won his second National, under 12st in 1974.
Minella Times is best priced 12-1, backed in from 16-1 leading up to the race, that carries a winning purse of £500,000.
Trio, Deise Aba, 66-1, Blaklion, 33-1 and Poker Party, 50-1, will go to post following the defections of Chris’s Dream, Highland Hunter and Chatham Street Lad.
Trainer Emma Lavelle, who runs De Rasher Counter, 20-1, was hoping Eclair Surf, priced at 11-1, second to Scottish National winner Win My Wings in the Eider Chase, would make the cut – which it did.
“I’d like him to make the cut. He’d clearly have a reasonable chance after what Win My Wings did in the Scottish Grand National last Saturday,” said Lavelle.
Ted Walsh trained Any Second Now, third last year, has been nibbled into 8-1. Willie Mullins saddles Burrows Saint, fourth last year, priced 16-1 from 20-1.
Fiddlerontheroof trained by Colin Tizzard is priced at 12-1 from 14-1, ridden by Brendan Powell, with connections missing the Cheltenham Gold Cup in preference to the National.
Cieren Murphy trained Enjoy D’Allen under Connor Orr is 12-1, third in last year’s Irish National.
It would be a fitting winner if Cloth Cap priced at 20-1 from 25-1, owned by the Exors of the late Trevor Hemmings, was to return to the winner’s enclosure to add to Hemmings trio of National winners.
Dan Skelton trained 13-year-old Blaklion priced at 50-1, sixth in 2021 and fourth in 2017, also runs in the Hemmings colours, ridden by Harry Skelton.
Bags of money has been loaded-up on Charlie Longsdon trained Snow Leopardess, ridden by Aidan Coleman, priced at 7-1.
AINTREE fromthehorsesmouth.info selections: 1.45 Mill Green (ew); Winter Fog (ew). 2.25 Three Stripe Life. 3.00 Edwardstone. 3.35 Flooring Porter. 4.15 Tea Clipper (ew); Oscar Elite (ew). 5.15* Aintree Grand National: 1 Enjoy D’Allen. 2 Delta Work. 3 Any Second Now. 4 Minella Times. 5 Escaria Ten. *Each-way tips. 6.20 Houlanbatordechais (ew); Imperial Bede (ew).
