RACING fan Gaurav Chaddah (@GauravChaddah) shares his four to follow from Saturday's Grand National at Aintree, as well as sharing his views on the favourite, Tiger Roll.
Grand National | Saturday 6th April 2019, 17:15 | ITV
The most famous horse race in the world takes centre stage on Saturday as 40 runners and riders attempt to take victory in the greatest race of them all.
The Grand National is often a lottery and it can be hard trying to whittle down the field. I shall be looking at a few horses who could go well, and offering my opinion on the short-priced favourite, last year’s winner Tiger Roll.
Can the Tiger roar again?
At 9/2 with William Hill, Tiger Roll is unusually short for the National, however it’s easy to see why.
Since his National win last year, the Gordon Elliot-trained horse ran well at Cheltenham in November, surprised many when winning a race over hurdles, and then was the easiest winner of the week in the Cross Country at Cheltenham.
The Tiger clung on from Pleasant Company in last year’s win and is nine pounds higher on this occasion. He is a short price and I do expect him to drift on Saturday morning which could make him a more backable price.
I can see him possibly winning again if all does go his way – he’s very classy – but anything can happen in the National with luck in-running a big issue, as well as getting over all the fences.
I could see Tiger Roll defending his crown but his price now is a little too short for my liking.
Here’s my three to follow at Aintree:
Vintage Clouds (14/1 Bet365)
It was touch and go to whether this Sue Smith-trained nine-year old was going to get into the race but now he has, I think he has a fantastic chance.
He is off a mark of 144, the same mark in which he finished second in the Ultima at Cheltenham, which now looks like a good trial he ran.
He was galloping well, staying on at the end and looks progressive enough to give this a real go. There’s not much doubt over his staying qualities, he’s is bang in-form and he can really challenge if he can take to the Aintree fences.
General Principle (40/1 Bet365)
I feel last year’s Irish Grand National winner may be one of the more overpriced horses in the race and think he has a massive chance of running into the places.
General Principle will love the test the race will bring, can gallop for days, and is one of many for Gordon Elliot here.
He’s off a mark of 144 which is only five pounds higher than his Irish National win. He was a good fifth in the Thyestes Chase in February and built on that with a third in the Grand National trial later that month.
He looked to be travelling well in the Ultima at Cheltenham but blundered a jump before being hampered and then was pulled up but I’m happy to let him off for that.
Walk In The Mill (28/1 Bet365)
My final horse to make the shortlist is the Beecher winner, which often can be a good trial for the race.
Like Vintage Clouds, it was touch-and-go whether Walk In The Mill (28/1 Bet365) would of gotten in but now he has, he must come with a massive chance if taking to the step up in trip.
He has experience over the National fences, which can be crucial (with many not) and that could provide crucial.
He is seven pounds higher than his Beecher win and has question marks over the trip but I’m happy to take an each-way punt.
Best Bets
Grand National – Vintage Clouds each-way (14/1 Bet365)
Grand National – General Principle each-way (40/1 Bet365)
Grand National – Walk In The Mill each-way (28/1 Bet365)
