Seventy three horses remain in the Aintree Grand National following yesterday’s latest forfeit stage with leading fancy Teaforthree holding his ground, however there were some notable withdrawals from the race writes BETDAQ’s John Sheridan.
Following his win in the Thyestes Chase in Gowran and subsequent second in the Gold Cup, the Willie Mullins trained On His Own will miss the race and will instead be aimed at the Punchestown Gold Cup. On His Own was the favourite for the race which takes place on April 5th but has failed to get around in two attempts at the race.
Teaforthree now takes up favouritism on the BETDAQ Exchanges at 11.0, clear of second favourite Tidal Bay on 17.0 with Long Run on 18.0.
Rebecca Curtis, trainer of Teaforthree, is hoping that the gelding will improve on his third place in the race 12 months ago and he had an ideal prep run finishing eighth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. However, Curtis reported her charge to be in good condition following that effort by saying; ‘’ He is in great form and has come out of the Cheltenham Gold Cup really well. I don’t think he had too hard a race, being allowed to coast home up the hill.
“He has eaten everything up and being freshened up out in the field – we will be hopeful of a good run.”
Nicky Henderson’s Triolo D’Alene is another that took part in last week’s Gold Cup but faded at the finish to take tenth behind Lord Windermere, and he is set to join his stablemate Long Run in the Liverpool marathon despite drifting out to a high of 24.0 on BETDAQ for the race.
Tidal Bay’s odds, on the other hand, continue to fall having been at highs of 33.0 on Tuesday and is now into 17.0. His trainer, Paul Nicholls reiterated his charges ability to handle top weight in big races like this and also said that Sam Twiston-Davies is the most jockey to take the mount in the absence of Daryl Jacob; ‘’ Tidal Bay’s form off top-weight in his last three handicaps has been very good. He is in good shape and ran very well in Ireland last week. I am looking forward to him running.
“The thing to do is to drop him out and not to rush him. It does not matter if he races in last and gradually picks up – get him jumping and in a rhythm. He likes being ridden that way. It is highly likely that Sam Twiston-Davies will be riding Tidal Bay because he has won on him already this season.”
Nicholls has four horses engaged still with Hawkes Point, There’s No Panic, Rocky Creek and Tidal Bay, however, the latter pair are the most likely contenders of his quartet.
Others high in the market for the Grand National include 2012 Welsh National winner Monbeg Dude, Burton Port and recent Cheltenham winner Balthazar King.
BHA Handicapper Phil Smith has nailed his colours to the mast early on and says that he would love to see Tidal Bay winning the race; ‘’ I will be overjoyed if Tidal Bay wins as it will be great for the race for a top-weight to win. He has been a fantastic horse
“I think this year’s race is a significantly better contest than last year – just in terms of the depth of quality in the race.’’
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