GRAND NATIONAL PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
AINTREE APRIL 5
You only need review year’s race to see how the landscaper of the world’s greatest steeplechase has changed – there was not one single faller on the first circuit. Those who failed to complete either unseated their riders or were pulled up, which is a far cry from yesteryear when there was carnage everywhere you looked.
In short, the unpredictability that used to go hand in hand with the National no longer exists and, as a result, we are typically seeing a classier type of horse now win the race. For instance, there is no way doggy jumper I Am Maximus would have prevailed even as little as a decade ago and it’s probably fair to say there would be more fallers if the race were to be run over the Mildmay fences.
One man who has quickly read the room is JP McManus and since Don’t Push It won the National in 2010, it’s no great surprise to see his famous green and yellow silks twice head back into the winner’s enclosure.
Clearly, one of racing’s great contributors has recognised what type of horse you now need to prevail, and he looks to have a strong representation again this year with IROKO Inothewayurthinkin the most intriguing among his nine entries.
Cast your mind back to last year’s meeting, the pair met in the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase and the latter came out on top, but had Iroko got a clearer run in between the last two fences (got trapped for room over on the far rail), it may have been a different story and since then the son of Cokoriko has had his whole season geared around coming back to the hollowed turf in search of glory.
The way he has been campaigned, at distances way below he optimum, very much suggest his connections have been keen to keep his powder as dry as possible until the big day arrives and the result of his three speculative runs so far this season have meant his mark of 152 has been unaffected.
Due to have a crack at the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap at Kempton next weekend, one can expect a more positive ride than the one he received at Cheltenham last time out and providing he comes through that examination unscathed; all roads will lead to Aintree.
A genuine Grade 1 performer with low mileage and the strong possibility he will improve significantly for a throughout test over an extreme trip, Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero’s gelding has all the requisite attributes needed for a modern-day National winner and he deserves to be played accordingly at his current price of 14-1.
Obviously, his old rival Inothewayurthinkin must be shortlisted but at the same time, it was a little disconcerting to hear his trainer, Gavin Cromwell, state “I wouldn’t say he was a certain runner at this stage, and we’ll look at other options for him” in his latest press release.
Of those at much bigger odds, MONBEG GENIUS maybe worth a small speculator in the hope that 16 drop out between now and April 5.
Well suited by strongly run, big-field handicaps, his two best career efforts have come when third in the 2023 Ultima Handicap behind subsequent Aintree hero Corach Rambler and when filling out the same position in the Coral Gold Cup the following season.
After slightly losing his way, the nine-year-old roared back to his best form with a cracking effort in the Welsh National under top weight and his victory at Uttoxeter last time gave out the sort of signals he will head to Aintree right on top of his game.
Despite racing on terrible ground at the Midland venue, he produced what can only be described as a jumping clinic and the speed figure he posted was right up there with some of the best in his career.
Since teaming up with Nick Schofield, the partnership has really flourished and with his pilot renown for often opting for the inside as his path of choice, the brave man’s route around the paintwork at Aintree can save the sort of ground which might turn out to be the different on the day.
IROKO – 1-point win@14-1
MONBEG GENIUS – ½ point win@33-1