Crabbies Grand National

Hello & welcome along to a last minute blog on The Crabbies Grand National, before I get onto the main event I must just say I hope all my readers enjoyed my Meydan blogs over the last few months & I hope that those who did read them were with me on Dubai World Cup winner African Story who was a strong fancy of mine throughout the whole Carnival.

Now onto the Grand National here's my runner by runner guide:

Tidal Bay: 

Evergreen 13 year old who tries the National fences once more after unseating early in 2011. Has performed incredibly well since that effort in Top races but this is asking a lot for one of his age.

Long Run:

Former Gold Cup & dual King George Winner who is nowhere near as good now, his main assets is his outsatdning amasterur part owener jockey Sam Waley-Cohen who has a phenomenal record over the big fences, I don't feel however that Long Run is a safe enough jumper to be involved.

Hunt Ball:

Massive improver 2 years ago but been in the doldrums ever since including a fruitless foray in America, has run ok back in this country but he will not stay this far in a horse box.

Triolo D'Alene:

Shock Hennessy winner who ran as well as good be expected in the Gold Cup last time, has winning form over the big fences in last years Topham. Too young to be winning a National & also not good enough for me.

Rocky Creek:

Looks harshly handicapped on what he's done for me, narrowly beaten in the Hennessy before being easily outpointed in the Argento. Best form on slow ground & another who is too young.

Quito De La Roque:

Cracking chaser at his best but has been regressing for the last year, has form on Aintree's Mildmay course & is just the type who could be livened up by the big fences. Interesting outsider.

Colbert Station:

Well fancied last year but jumping let him down, well out of form this time around.

Walkon:

An excellent 2nd in last season's Topham showing a real liking for the fences, season has been geared around this race & I can see him surprising a good deal of his rivals on ground that will suit.

Balthazar King:

Out & out Cheltenham specialist especially over the cross country course, cut little ice in last year's renewal & cannot see why he can do any better this year after a long season.

Wayward Prince:

Talented but in & out performer who saves his best for Aintree, first try over the big fences but could easily outrun his huge odds.

Mr Moonshine:

Represents last seasons winning connections, has been in blinding form this year but faces a huge task to get home especially after not completing last season.

Teaforthree:

3rd last year & favourite ever since the weights were revealed from a lower mark, ability still there as shown when running a super race at Ascot 2 stats back must go very close.

Across The Bay:

Gave a bold sight for a long way last season before tiring badly, that has to be the worry again this time around.

Double Seven:

Big improver in Ireland since June last year winning 5 on the bounce, beaten quite easily last time though in a race that hasn't worked out so may find this happening a year or 2 to soon for him.

Battle Group:

Who knows which Battle Group will show up? The 1 who won over hurdles & fences at last year's meeting or the 1 who has failed to complete in his last 3 starts.

Buckers Bridge:

Failed to deliver on his early novice promise, stamina looks an issue as does his jumping.

Lion Na Bearnai:

Former Irish Grand National winner who has probably missed his Grand National boat due to injury.

Prince De Beauchene:

Finally made it to a Grand National after 3 aborted attempts, not in bad form & is a bold jumper who has always been thought of as a National type, not sure he will get home though.

Monbeg Dude:

Welsh National winner who doesn't jump well enough to stay in contention.

Bug Shu:

Cross Country specialist who has no form in regular rules handicaps so even though he should be ok over the fences I could not have him being good enough.

Burton Port:

Lot of money for this former classy chaser in the last few days sorry I just don't see it until his latest run he had shown nothing for ages. Has never fulfilled his potential & cannot see him being up to this.

Our Father:

Really has not progressed this season, Marathon trip should suit but is too inexperienced.

Mountainous:

Welsh National winner in bad ground who showed nothing on his next start, not for me.

The Rainbow Hunter:

Bounced back to form winning the Skybet Chase latest, failed to complete last year & jumping will again let him down.

Vintage Star:

Improved horse but jumping may not be up to this & is another on the young side.

Chance Du Roy:

Great record over the big fences winning the Becher well in December, he wasn't stopping that day, raced with zest at Ascot last time running a brilliant trial. Think he is primed to run a huge race.

Hawkes Point:

Can't see him having the class to be competitive in this, had a hard race last twice & may find this happening to quickly.

Kruzlinin:

Improved chaser earlier in the season represents top Grand National connections but to me it seems like this is a taster for years to come for this horse.

Pineau Du Re:

Ulster National winner last year who ran a fantastic race over hurdles on his last start. Only try over the big fences was a fail so could not be interested.

Golan Way:

Decent chaser & hurdler in his time, well below this class & doesn't jump well enough as shown by his unseat in a Hunters chase at Musselburgh 2 starts ago.

Twirling Magnet:

Another who does not jump well enough.

Vesper Bell:

Out of form this year & faces a tall order here.

The Package:

Unseated on his last try in this back in 2010, ran a super race in a race he has gone well at before at Cheltenham. Tough task.

Raz De Maree:

Useful Irish horse who won both the Munster & Cork National back in 2012, missed the following year & has shown nothing this time around.

Rose Of The Moon:

Not up to this.

Shakalakaboomboom:

Fancied in this 2 years ago but failed to get home, been absent for a year & shown very little this time. Cannot see it.

Last Time D'Albain:

3rd in last season's Topham & has been lined up for a crack at the big one this year, just sneaked in after avoiding all the bad ground throughout the winter. Stamina an issue as is the fact he has only 1 chase win to his credit.

One In A Milan:

through stayer who comes from a stable who has saddled a placed horse in each of the last 5 years so will be well schooled. Could easily nick a place.

(yellow colours in photo)

Swing Bill:

Grand old horse who has got round in 2 Grand Nationals admittedly in his own time.

1) Chance Du Roy

2) Teaforthree

3) Wayward Prince

4) Walkon

5) Quito De La Roque

6) One In Milan

On the undercard I am a huge fan of the powerful Kilcooley who has hacked up in 2 Market Rasen Novices the last twice & is hugely overpriced in The opening Grade 1 Novices Hurdle.

@fttfracing