BILLY NASH
Timeform
I Am Maximus has lots of weight to carry but he must have a great chance of repeating last year’s victory. He has run in two handicaps in his life, won them both, and had enough in hand last year to suggest that an 8lb higher mark may not be enough to stop him this time around. He has been trained very much with this race in mind again this year and, although he missed his intended prep run, there is no reason to believe that he isn’t at least as good as ever. His hugely impressive performance 12 months ago is still very fresh in the memory, and I think he is the one they all have to beat again.
ANNE MARIE DUFF
The Irish Field
With three runners among the leading fancies, it looks like J.P. McManus is going to have a big involvement again. The one who makes most appeal is Perceval Legallois, who fits most of the recent criteria seen in National winners as an improver, on a nice weight at 10st 12lb, the right age group, running in the race for the first time, and the mount of Gold Cup winning rider Mark Walsh. He won the Paddy Power Chase coming from well off the pace, another factor in his favour. The race has also featured several horses placed in the National in recent years, including the McManus-owned Cause of Causes, Anibale Fly and Any Second Now.
VINCENT FINEGAN
irishracing.com
Gavin Cromwell is enjoying his best ever season and had strong claims of adding the Grand National to his list of achievements with three strong contenders this year. The one I like is Vanillier who was second to Corach Rambler in this race two years ago and arrives in top form. The 10-year-old, a former Grade 1 winner over hurdles, has looked to be back to his best since fitted with blinkers this year and was arguably unlucky not to have won the Cross Country race at Cheltenham having lost considerable ground due to pilot error in the early part of that race.
TONY KEENAN
The Irish Field
In theory, it is 15% easier to find the winner of the Grand National this year than two years ago, with the field-size cut down, though looking through the runners it doesn’t feel like it! The 2023 runner-up Vanillier looks on a good mark again and might even have run Corach Rambler closer that day if asked for his effort sooner, while he has returned to form lately in cross-county races. Some errant steering cost him last time at Cheltenham and he did well to finish as close as he did in, while the drying ground is in his favour.
BRIAN FLANAGAN
Irish Daily Star
The Grand National has become a unique test of stamina and speed in recent years. A horse with a turn of foot seems to be needed with so many remaining in contention until the closing turn and my vote goes to Perceval Legallois to keep the party going for Gavin Cromwell and J.P. McManus. He won the Paddy Power Chase and a valuable handicap over hurdles at the DRF and has that change of gear which has become a huge asset in the National. He’s considerably higher in the weights than at Christmas but that there’s improvement in him and 10st 12lb is a lovely racing weight. For an outsider, take a chance on Duffle Coat. He was running a big race at Cheltenham before being brought down and was just touched off in last year’s Galway Plate.
BRIAN SHEERIN
TDN
With more and more nuance being eliminated from the race, it seems wise to stick with the classier contenders in the Grand National these days. I Am Maximus looked bordering on a potential Gold Cup contender when winning the race last year and, while that hasn’t materialised, he sets a good standard in his quest for repeat National successes. It’s hard to see him finishing out of the frame at least.
MARK BOYLAN
The Irish Field
Given the shape the race has taken in recent times, I’ll again be focusing on Irish-trained horses who still have some age on their side and can cope with the class required for the modern-day National. The likes of I Am Maximus, Stumptown and Senior Chief all make appeal on that front, though a tentative each-way nod goes to Perceval Legallois, who comes here in the form of his life for Gavin Cromwell, who is also having the season of his life. The J.P. McManus-owned stayer has had his chase mark protected since winning the Paddy Power Chase - the same race Minella Times finished second in on his way to Aintree success, and he doesn’t appear to be ground-dependent.
MARK COSTELLO
The Irish Field
Say what you like about the ‘new’ National but if a Thyestes/Bobbyjo winner like Nick Rockett is 33/1 then it must be a very good race. Of the home team, I give Beauport, Hyland and Kandoo Kid a squeak. But the Irish have six of the first seven in the market and that group look very likely to provide the winner. I can see Perceval Legallois and Mark Walsh cruising around before zipping clear in the closing stages.
AMY CORRADO
The Irish Field
Vanillier has already proven that he’s capable of a good run in this race when chasing home Corach Rambler in 2023. He’s come back to life this season and he clearly enjoyed the cross-country in Cheltenham. Despite a jockey error, it was encouraging to see him remain competitive to finish strongly. According to connections there has been a change of tactics at home and that seems to have done the trick so far. He’s in off the same weight at his 2023 run, and the ground shouldn’t be a worry.
AMY LYNAM
The Irish Field
Considering he almost took the wrong course, Vanillier ran a cracker at Cheltenham. Between that and today’s weights, he should get much closer to Stumptown today. The lack of rain shouldn’t affect his chances, unlike some others who I might lean towards otherwise, such as Intense Raffles and I Am Maximus. Plus I love a grey – who doesn’t? Older horses Appreciate It and Minella Indo could be overpriced.
THOM MALONE
The Irish Field
The Grand National is now, much like Jockey Club ticket pricing dictates, strictly the preserve of classier sorts. The well-meaning plodder is a no hoper these days. On those grounds, it is truly difficult to fancy anything at a huge price and the top of the market, while open, is where the winner will come from. While I want more rain and every tanker in the place emptied for Intense Raffles, it may just be too dry for him, and I Am Maximus may have a little too much weight. That leaves Gavin Cromwell with the trump cards to play and Stumptown can bring the house down in what has been a stellar season for Keith Donoghue, with Perceval Legallois not far away.
DAN CARLIN
The Irish Field
Every time I have thought Hewick is out of his depth he has proven me wrong. He looked sharp at Thurles over hurdles. Shark Hanlon’s horse at Downpatrick last Sunday (A Mere Bagatelle) showed the stable to be in good health. As an each-way bet at a whopping price Conflated seems to have been around forever but sometimes Aintree can bring about a better performance from older legs.