VAN WITH A PLAN
CROMWELL DREAMING OF GOING ONE BETTER
Vanillier comes alive once the clocks go forward. now he needs to use that to spring ahead and become a randox Grand national winner.
Last year the Gavin Cromwelltrained grey came to life after the nine-year-old — under qualified pilot and jockey Sean Flanagan — flew home late at Aintree Racecourse to come close to winning the world’s greatest steeplechase.
But it wasn’t enough for victory as he was up against a better handicapped — and better horse on the day — in Corach Rambler.
Vanillier — who had won the Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival as a sixyear-old — did at least show what his County Meath-based handler knew. He had a horse with all the right attributes to thrive in the face of the unique Aintree challenge.
Now 12 months on he is back for more and Cromwell said: “He’s been trained for this race really and it’s a case of him coming in the spring. He is a spring horse. He’s going to have to improve plenty but he does have the experience of last year. He is good, we are very happy with him and it is all systems go for the Grand National.”
Fallen
Although Vanillier has only won once — in a Grade Two Novice Chase at Punchestown in November 2021 — in nine chase starts, he has run some fine races in defeat, not least that massive effort at Aintree last April.
He came into the Grand National on the back of some mixed efforts. He had fallen at Leopardstown — the only time he has failed to complete over fences — in the February. But he bounced back to be just half-a-length second to Kemboy in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse later that month.
That fine effort put him spot on for his date with destiny in Liverpool six weeks later.
Having been held up in rear by regular rider Flanagan, he made his way through the field and made headway towards the leaders from two out. He was 12 lengths adrift at the last but really picked up. A combination of his fast and late finish and probably some idling from leader and eventual winner Corach Rambler saw Vanillier cut the final margin down to two-and-aquarter lengths.
On his effort at Aintree that day, Cromwell was delighted but couldn’t help but ponder “what could have been” as he tried to win the National with only the second horse he had entered in the Aintree showpiece.
Luck
Raz De Maree was pulled up at Becher’s Brook on the first circuit in 2017 and then finished 10th, under Grand Nationalwinning rider and Liverpool FC fan Robbie Power, behind Tiger Roll in his first victory 12 months later.
Cromwell said: “We were obviously thrilled to be second in the Grand National but he was finishing so well, flashing home well and it and it was all a case of what could have been. But it was a great moment. He went round on the inside and got all the luck — you need luck in every National.
“It’s what everyone wants to have on their CV, it’s every trainer’s dream to win the Grand National. But it is a very difficult race to win and I appreciate that. A lot of people, a lot of good trainers have gone through their career and never won it. But we’ll certainly give it a good shot again this year.” Now, though, he dreams of going one better with Vanillier, who will bid to become only the fourth grey horse to triumph in the Aintree marathon and the first since Paul Nicholls’ Neptune Collonges landed a narrow victory in 2012.
The nine-year-old has had a similar path for his return to Aintree. He has had three runs this time as opposed to four — one over hurdles over the festive period — and again his form has been mixed, although he filled an identical runner-up spot in his prep run again in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February.
This time he was further adrift, 14 lengths behind the winner, potential Grand National rival I Am Maximus — both horses are among the favourites for Saturday’s showpiece race.
Cromwell was happy with that effort and, although his handicap rating had gone up from 147 to 151 on last year’s effort, he carries a handy 10st8lb, and has a big swing in the weights with the reopposing Corach Rambler.
Vanillier got behind in last year’s Grand National before staying on strongly past tired horses to get close to the eventual winner.
Slow
Cromwell said: “We were a little bit slow maybe and he got behind. But hopefully we can be a little bit closer now.”
Cromwell may have more than one runner in the race this year in mares Limerick Lace — who is now guaranteed a place in the line-up — and Malina Girl — who was on the cusp of getting in at 39th on the list — could also line-up
He said: “We initially had
four entries this year and now see why she wouldn’t take to we plan to run three. the [Aintree] fences. She is
“At the moment it is touch and maybe a bit unexposed and go whether Malina Girl will get those horses have done well in. The others should get in and [recently]. All of mine are similar they will all run.” in a way.”
Limerick Lace, who is owned Cromwell will also have his
by JP Mcmanus, won a Listed stable star Flooring Porter run
Mares’ contest at Doncaster in at Aintree today — the twotime
December having been second Stayer’s Hurdle champion
in the Troytown Handicap hoping to add the JRL Group
Chase at Navan. Liverpool Hurdle.
She also secured the Grade He ran a massive race at Two Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Cheltenham in his hat-trick Chase over 2m4f at the recent bid, beating all bar Teahupoo in Cheltenham Festival to put her a thrilling Stayers’ Hurdle last spot on for Aintree. month.
The similarly seven-year-old Get the ultimate guide to the
n mare Malina Girl was pulled up 2024 Grand National in in the Scottish Grand National shops or via our online store. last year, but won a 3m4f handicap Priced at £3.50 (€3.50) it is chase at Cheltenham in packed full of interviews with November and had her prep run star trainers and jockeys, the over hurdles when fifth at lowdown on the leading contenders, Leopardstown last month. guide to the circuit
Cromwell added: “Limerick and top tips. Buy it here: Lace jumps very well so I can’t https://shorturl.at/emrix.