Gav’s trio target the National
LAST year’s runner-up Vanillier and Cheltenham Festival heroine Limerick Lace could be joined by Malina Girl to form a threepronged assault on the Randox Grand National for trainer Gavin Cromwell.
Vanillier charged home from the rear to finish best of the rest behind Corach Rambler 12 months ago and warmed up for his return to Merseyside by finishing second in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February for the second year in succession.
The grey is a Cheltenham Festival winner himself, having landed the 2021 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, and Cromwell is optimistic of another bold showing at Aintree on Saturday week.
“He’s good, I’m happy with him now, he’s come out of the Bobbyjo well and come forward since that,” said the County Meath handler.
“I’d like it if it stopped raining so the ground isn’t too testing. If it dried up a little bit it would be no harm.”
Limerick Lace has won three of her four starts over fences this season, most recently edging out fellow JP Mcmanus-owned runner Dinoblue in a thrilling Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham.
The seven-year-old will step up almost two miles in distance in the Grand National, but William Hill ambassador Cromwell does not feel she is lacking in the stamina department.
“The plan is to run her, she’s come out of Cheltenham well,” he said.
“She was second in the Troytown in Navan back in November and stayed well that day over three miles on testing going.”
Malina Girl, who won a staying handicap chase at Cheltenham in November, is currently the 39th horse in the order of entry, meaning she is not yet guaranteed a place in the final field of 34.
But with an allotted weight of just 10st 5lb, Cromwell is keen to let her line up if she does make the cut.