Starform’s grand national verdict
JOHN MCCONNELL (below) and Ben Harvey can complete their Mission on racing’s biggest stage today.
The trainer and jockey are both bidding for a first Randox Grand National win and have the ideal horse to get the job done in
MAHLER MISSION
(4.00).
Would he have won last year’s National Hunt Chase but for falling when clear two out?
It doesn’t really matter, because he had already marked himself out as a National horse by that point with his fine bold-jumping display.
Mcconnell (above) has had the big race on his mind ever since, and Mahler Mission’s profile is just about perfect.
He is a lightly raced, progressive chaser with stamina to burn whose prominent run style will keep him out of trouble.
There have been only two runs this season, but neither did anything to dampen enthusiasm.
After a solid return over an inadequate trip, he ran a cracker in the Coral Gold Cup, tanking through the race before being outspeeded by Datsalrightgino.
Throw in the fact he lost both his front shoes and that has the look of an almighty warm-up effort.
He’s been keep under wraps since but is reportedly in top form and schooled well over some National-style fences.
Corach Rambler
looked like he was born for Aintree when winning last year and is sure to be bang there again if a hard race in the Gold Cup hasn’t left it’s mark, while
Meetingofthewaters
could be the pick of a very strong Wille Mullins team.
He’s drifted in the betting after being abandoned by Mark Walsh but ran a massive trial for this when powering through the Ultima and has a lovely racing weight.
Galia Des Liteaux
looks like the type who could really take to this test and is fancied to complete the places.