DAQMAN’S EASY-AS-ABC AINTREE FORM: Here’s Daqman’s ABC Guide to the Grand National, which attempts to locate the stamina and quality, and position in the handicap, of the right-aged horse for Saturday’s marathon. The top 10 are numbered; the rest in ABC order with notes on the two most likely to get in, if there are non-runners.
GRAND NATIONAL ABC GUIDE
⭕ 4.00 Aintree, Saturday (Grand National)
A Winner or placed over 3m+ in quality staying chase (95%)
B Carrying 10st 3lb to 11st 6lb (11-13)
C Aged eight and nine (7-8)
D Last ran no more than 35 days ago (80%)
E Won or ran well in the ‘National’ or key stamina test (65%)
F Has won on soft-heavy ground.
G Has jumped the National fences
H Has never fallen or unseated rider.
1: MR INCREDIBLE (ABCDEFG) Lightly-raced seven-year-old improved for long trips when runner-up in the Warwick Classic (heavy) in January and third in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham.
2: VANILLIER (ABCEFG) In-and-out performer, won the Albert Bartlett (2021) and then the Florida Pearl novice chase later that year, but place form only on big-race scene after. Fell, first-time cheekpieces, in the Leopardstown Chase in February but close second later that month in the Bobbyjo. See Corach Rambler
3: I AM MAXIMUS (ABCEFH) Irish Grand National winner a year back (Panda Boy fifth), and completed a Fairyhouse hat-trick in small fields for the Drinmore and last time out the Bobbyjo, beating Vanillier. He’s 5lb well in and left-handed course will suit.
4: MAHLER MISSION (ABCEF) Lightly raced, 12 out of 13, still standing; consistent but not spectacular career, though might have won Newbury Gold Cup (3m 2f) in December; second, lost both front shoes.
5: STATTLER (ABCEH) NH Challenge Cup (3m 6f) winner at Cheltenham in 2022, runner-up in the Irish Gold Cup 2023; prepped for this by Willie Mullins on the Banks course at Punchestown
6: CHEMICAL ENERGY (ABCE) A big price because of the rain; you must hope the course dries – it can do so quickly – or that his courage carries the day. Second on soft, running on, in the NH Challenge Cup (3m 6f) at Cheltenham 2023.
7: GALIA DES LITEAUX (ABC) Runner-up in the Warwick Classic (3m 5f) is trained by Dan Skelton, close contender for top trainer.
8: CORACH RAMBLER (ABDEFG) Now rated 13lb higher than when winning last year’s National from Vanillier, with Noble Yeats fourth, Roi Mage seventh, Ain’t That A Shame tailed off, last.
Had won the Ultima at Cheltenham twice and he was third in the Gold Cup in March, for which he was marked up.
9: PANDA BOY (ABCEF) See Meetingofthewaters and I Am Maximus.
10: MEETINGOFTHEWATERS (ABDEF) Hit the headlines, and raised 15lb, when landed a gamble in the big Leopardstown chase at Christmas, beating Panda Boy with Adamantly Chosen tenth.
Good third in the Ultima at Cheltenham, when The Goffer was fifth and Kitty’s Light seventh
OTHERS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
ADAMANTLY CHOSEN (ABDFH) Beaten in five consecutive Grade 1 last year and not fared much better dropped in grade since the autumn, though beat Roi Mage at Down Royal (3m 2f) See Meetingofthewaters.
AIN’T THAT A SHAME (ABFG) Runner-up 2022 Munster National and, back to form, won the Thyestes in January on heavy ground. Glengouly was second; led after five out, not fluent and no extra.
CAPODANNO (ACDG) Champion Novice at Punchestown 2022 but pulled up last year’s Grand National, after the second-last fence. Sole recent success in Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham (3m 1f).
COKO BEACH (ACEFG) Eighth 2022 National; led at Chair in last year’s race but then bad mistake and pulled up after.
Fine autumn, third in the Munster National, won the Troytown and second in the Becher. Back to form in a banks race the last day, with Stattler fourth.
CONFLATED (ADF) Third in last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup and in this year’s Ryanair. High weight and 10 now.
DELTA WORK (ABEFG) Irish Gold Cup winner of 2020, back to form following the stable’s Tiger Roll route to Aintree, winning the 2022 cross-country at Cheltenham and third in the Grand National behind Noble Yeats and Any Second Now. Won the same cross-country last month.
ELDORADO ALLEN (ABD) Fourth 2022 King George and 2023 Newbury Gold Cup and last won a race there (Denman Chase) two years back.
FAROUK D’ALENE (BCDF) Not won beyond 2m 4f; last success was small-field chase two years back. MINELLA CROONER and JANIDIL not won beyond 2m 4/5f. EKLAT DE RIRE poor form since 2021
FOXY JACKS (ABE) Won Midlands National at Kilbeggan last July; third Kerry National in September and won Cheltenham cross-country November. Not won chase on soft or heavy.
GALVIN (ABE) Won NH Chase at Cheltenham; second cross-country there in 2023. Dropped 11lb below last year’s mark in the National, when he unseated at the first fence. Not won on soft in a chase.
GLENGOULY (ABC) Won only one chase (December, 2022). See Ain’t That A Shame.
LIMERICK LACE (ABDF) Runner-up to Coko Beach in the Troytown and mares double since, Silver Vase at Doncaster and Mares Chase at Cheltenham Festival. She’s 6lb well in and unexposed as a stayer.
LATENIGHTPASS (ABEFG) Fourth in the Foxhunters over National fences last year; winner and runner-up in autumn cross-countries at Cheltenham.
MAC TOTTIE (ABDFG) Won Grand Sefton 2021, and Topham (2022) over the National fences but winning form all sub-3m and 11 now.
MINELLA INDO (ABEF) Cheltenham Gold Cup winner 2021; second in both Irish Gold Cup and Cheltenham Gold Cup 2022. Good prep, fourth in Christmas cross-country at Cheltenham. He’s 11 now.
NASSALAM (ADEFGH) Won Welsh Grand National trial and then the big race itself, back to back both in December, both on heavy. Raised 16lb.
NOBLE YEATS (ACDEGH) Won the 2022 Grand National and fourth last year after same position in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Has prepped over hurdles, beating Paisley Park in the Cleeve in January.
ROI MAGE (BDEFG) A 12yo, has won only three times since 1980. See Corach Rambler, Adamantly Chosen
THE GOFFER (BDH) Not won a chase on worse than yielding or beyond 2m 6f but fourth and fifth in the Ultima; fifth Sandown Gold Cup. Stays well and still only seven.
ROI MAGE (BDEFG) Seventh last year but now 12 and has won only three small-field chases since 2020. See Corach Rambler, Adamantly Chosen
KITTYS LIGHT (ABCDEH) Needs to bounce back to form of brilliant treble last Spring of Eider Chase, Scottish National and Sandown Gold Cup.
