Not many UK-trained horses sure yet of a place in National
AFTER the most recent entry stage, only five UK-trained horses were sure of a run in the Grand National – Nassalam, Corach Rambler and three older ones with less obvious chances; Eldorado Allen, aged 10 and winless for two years; and the 11-year-olds Latenightpass and Mac Tottie. Three others are likely to get in assuming more withdrawals occur; Galia Des Liteaux, Chambard and one that many will be rooting for, Kitty’s Light.
With limited British interest in the National, I looked at the Topham Trophy entries on the Thursday of the Aintree meeting in the hope that that would have a bigger cast of familiar names, but no. Only four of the top 13 in the weights are Britishtrained. They are aged eight, 11, 10 and 11, so two or three of them are almost certainly past their peak. In contrast, the ages of the first nine Irish horses are a relatively spritely eight, eight, seven, 10, nine, six, 11, seven and eight.
I turned to the flat instead – where the UK-Ireland divide doesn’t seem to be controversial – to remind myself of last season’s leading two-year-old colts.
Ballydoyle’s City Of Troy is 3-3, all over seven furlongs and impressive every time. Aiden O’Brien’s enthusiasm after the Dewhurst, his last race (“there is no doubt he is the best two-year-old I’ve trained”) hasn’t abated during the winter, seeing as he is just 4/6 for the 2,000 Guineas and 2/1 for the Derby.
For Godolphin, Ancient Wisdom can boast four wins from five outings, culminating in victory on heavy ground in the Futurity over a mile. That result and his stouter breeding account for him being 12/1 for the Guineas but only 6/1 for the Derby. Stablemate Arabian
Crown has already won over 10 furlongs and Epsom is sure to be his target. He’s 12/1.
Henry Longfellow is another Ballydoyle colt, again 3-3, all over seven furlongs including the National Stakes at Ireland’s Champion Stakes meeting. He is between 8 and 10/1 for the Guineas and the Derby, but if City Of Troy went amiss those odds would be cut drastically.
The Richard Hannon-trained Rosallion is the second favourite for the Guineas, a race in which the stable has a good record going back 50 years. The yard isn’t quite what it used to be, so one can understand Hannon saying, “this is one of the most exciting horses we’ve had in a long time.” Soft ground will be avoided. His pedigree suggests a mile will be his limit.
One of Haydock’s features on Saturday is a Veterans Chase Final for two-and-a-half milers. Thor De Cerisy is the pick. He’s in great form, didn’t have a hard race last time when finishing alone, and will get the heavy ground he needs. Furthermore, Harry Cobden has been booked to ride.
Racegoers in the South West aren’t spoilt for choice this Bank Holiday weekend. With the demise of Saturday’s Newton Abbot fixture, abandoned at the start of the week due to waterlogging, that leaves Wolverhampton’s evening meeting as the nearest option. Ffos Las is the nearest on Sunday.
Fortunately, Chepstow’s Taste of Wales Raceday on Monday is convenient for Bristolians, although we have to wait till 2.35 for the racing to begin.