It is 42 years since Red Rum landed back-to-back renewals of the Crabbie's Aintree Grand National and Many Clouds is a clear favourite to emulate the Liverpool legend in April and possibly supply his Co Kildare-born jockey Leighton Aspell with a remarkable hat-trick of wins in the world's most famous steeplechase.
Aspell’s 2014 winner Pineau de Re is also among this year’s entries, but come April Aspell is expected to team up again with the current title-holder Many Clouds, who has been given topweight of 11.10 in the sole big handicap contest of the year in which the handicapper has absolute discretion over weights.
Many Clouds carried 11.9 to success a year ago and one of Willie Mullins's prime Cheltenham Gold Cup contenders, Don Poli, is second top-rated on 11.9 after yesterday's weight announcement.
Some 38 Irish-trained horses remain in the National, with half of the top-10 topweights, including two others owned by Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown Stud, Valseur Lido (11.6) and First Lieutenant (11.4.) The dual-Irish Gold Cup winner Carlingford Lough (11.7) is another possible although owner Barry Connell has indicated Foxrock (11.3) is unlikely to line up.
Nine years
It is nine years since the last Irish-trained winner of the famous race, Silver Birch in 2007, the last of half a dozen winners from this country in a vintage nine year period. Some bookmakers initially offered 7-2 about an Irish winner in 2016 and the trio of Don Poli, Carlingford Lough and Jim Dreaper’s stout stayer Goonyella were installed at 25-1 behind the 12-1 Many Clouds.
Should Don Poli land steeplechasing’s “blue-riband” next month the temptation to try to complete the ultimate steeplechase double three weeks later could prove irresistible, especially since Don Poli beat Many Clouds over the Mildmay fences at Aintree on his first start of the season.
Goonyella's handler, Jim Dreaper, appeared to sum up many feelings about the BHA handicapper's ratings.
“The handicapper has probably given him a few extra pounds for his form over four miles, but you expect that,” he said. “We’re just hoping to get him there fit and well on the day and if a wet week beforehand could be arranged it would be very much appreciated!”
Report back
Mouse Morris has four entries left in the race, including a trio for Gigginstown.
“I’ll have to report back to the boys and see what they think about First Lieutenant. It would be in the pot, but I wouldn’t be jumping up and down about it [allotted weight]. There’s also the Irish Grand National, so we’ll see how he gets treated in that.
“Rule The World could go – I wouldn’t say no, anyway. He could be a great ride round there. There’s also the Irish National for him, so I’ll discuss it with the owners. I’d love to run Rogue Angel if he got in – I’d nearly ride him myself!”
Rogue Angel is one of eight National entries among the 10 horses left in this Saturday’s Grade Two Attheraces Bobbyjo Chase, which Hedgehunter won in 2005 before progressing to National glory that year.
The Irish Grand National winner Thunder And Roses, as well as the 2015 and 2013 Bobbyjo winner Roi Du Mee are other Gigginstown options for the weekend highlight.
Vics Canvass has been given 10.6 for the National and his trainer Dermot McLoughlin hasn’t ruled out a Bobbyjo tilt.
“You’d have to be happy with that National weight and he only needs 10 horses above him to come out, so you’d be hopeful he’ll get in. He’s in good form and might run at Fairyhouse this weekend if the ground isn’t too bad”.
Saturday’s other black-type event is the Grade Three Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle.
Willie Mullins has left in a pair of French hurdles winners, Ria D'etel and Voix du Reve.
