17:15 Aintree

Saturday 15 April 2023

All13:4514:2515:0015:3516:1517:1518:20

Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • 7YO plus  |   Class 1  |   4m 2f 74y  |   Good to Soft (Soft in places)  |   39 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 17:29  |   Winning time: 9m 10.62s
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1
Horse silk
Any Second Nowb26
Age: 11|  Weight: 11-12| J: M P Walsh| T: T M Walsh| OR:  167
14/1
Has come alive in this race for the last 2 years, arguably unlucky not to win when third in 2021 and finding only Noble Yeats too good 12 months ago, briefly looking like the winner at the last. Warmed up with a smooth Navan success from Velvet Elvis last month but is 8 lb higher third time around.
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2
Horse silk
Noble Yeatsp29
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-11| J: S Bowen| T: E Mullins| OR:  166| CD
10/1
Proved money well spent when belying chasing inexperience to take this 12 months ago from Any Second Now, showing bags of stamina to overhaul that one and becoming the first winning 7-y-o since 1940. Has improved further this term, fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last time. 19 lb higher this year.
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3
Horse silk
Galvin31
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-11| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR:  166
22/1
Tough and genuine performer with a good Cheltenham Festival record, second to a stablemate with an even better one in Delta Work on his first go in a cross-country race last month. Has to meet that one on 7 lb worse terms here though. Davy Russell, seeking a third National win, back in the saddle.
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4
Horse silk
Fury Roadp,t30
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-6| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: G Elliott| OR:  161
33/1
Very smart on his day but hard to catch right. His third to Galopin des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup in February reads well though and he may appreciate this much stiffer test on a belated start in a handicap having been caught out in the Ryanair last time. 1 of 8 for Gordon Elliott.
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5
Horse silk
The Big Dog70
Age: 10|  Weight: 11-5| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Peter Fahey| OR:  160
12/1
Big improver in the autumn, winning a couple of valuable 3m handicap chases in Ireland before a fine third in the Welsh National. Took an uncharacteristic fall in the Irish Gold Cup last time which is hardly the ideal preparation, but otherwise he's one of the more likely types.
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6
Horse silk
Capodannot56
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-5| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR:  160
22/1
Second-season chaser who has gone well in big fields and won extended 3m Punchestown Grade 1 novice last spring from Lifetime Ambition and Fury Road. Pleasing comeback at Gowran in February and looks like he has the required stamina for this. Big run could be on the way.
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7
Horse silk
Delta Workp,t31
Age: 10|  Weight: 11-4| J: K M Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR:  159| BF
11/1
Last year's third won the Cross Country Chase for the second year running at Cheltenham last month, seeing off Galvin having denied National hero Tiger Roll 12 months earlier. It was a big effort from him from 1 lb higher in 2022 having made early mistakes and he'll be sharper this time. Big player.
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8
Horse silk
Sam Brownt28
Age: 11|  Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: A J Honeyball| OR:  159| CWS
66/1
Won the preceding handicap on this card 12 months ago and was a good third in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby on his return. Quiet since but has likely had this as his target (should stay long distances). Has had a breathing operation.
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9
Horse silk
Lifetime Ambition28
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-3| J: S F O'Keeffe| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR:  158
33/1
Good jumper who took pretty well to these fences in the Grand Sefton in November before chasing home The Big Dog in the Troytown at Navan. Well held since (over hurdles latest) and is a doubtful stayer. Others preferred.
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10
Horse silk
Carefully Selected49
Age: 11|  Weight: 11-1| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: W P Mullins| OR:  156
50/1
Very lightly raced for an 11-y-o but better than ever back from 33 months off this term, relishing the slog through the Gowran mud as he edged out Dunboyne in the Thyestes in January. Better than the result at Fairyhouse since but wouldn't be sure to take to these fences. Excellent young rider up.
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11
Horse silk
Coko Beachb55
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: G Elliott| OR:  155
28/1
Gordon Elliott-trained grey who led for a long way in the Thyestes won by Carefully Selected before scoring himself for the first time in 2 years at Punchestown 8 weeks ago. Didn't get home in the 2021 Irish National or in this 12 months ago (eighth off 5 lb lower).
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12
Horse silk
Longhouse Poett29
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-0| J: J J Slevin| T: M Brassil| OR:  155
20/1
Warmed up nicely for a second crack at this when returning to winning ways at Down Royal last month, beating Roi Mage. Took to the course really well last year but finished held in sixth having proved far too keen. Same mark and will clearly need to settle better.
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13
Horse silk
Gaillard Du Mesnil32
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-0| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR:  155
10/1
Very smart grey who was third in last year's Irish National and proved all stamina when landing the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last month. Not always fluent there though and did have quite a hard race. One of 5 for Willie Mullins (won this just once, in 2005).
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14
Horse silk
Darassob,t56
Age: 10|  Weight: 10-13| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P O'Brien| OR:  154
100/1
Admirable dual purpose performer who was third in the Kerry National in September and scored at Thurles in December. Well beaten the last twice though and looks up against it on his first go in a marathon handicap.
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15
Horse silk
Le Milos42
Age: 8|  Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR:  152| BF
12/1
Has improved further for new yard this term, winning hot Newbury handicap chase in November (Corach Rambler fourth) and shaping best in second on first run since at Kelso 6 weeks ago, sent for home earlier than ideal. Had a hard race there but is very much the type who'll take well to this test.
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17
Horse silk
The Big Breakawayb132
Age: 8|  Weight: 10-10| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR:  151
40/1
Smart novice chaser in 2020/21 but firmly back on track this term with good seconds in valuable Haydock handicap and the Welsh National, jumping a lot better than usual at Chepstow. Never got going in the Ultima at Cheltenham but might have needed it after 11 weeks off. Stronger headgear goes on.
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18
Horse silk
Cape Gentlemanp66
Age: 7|  Weight: 10-8| J: J S McGarvey| T: J J Hanlon| OR:  149
100/1
Smart chaser at best and took a step back in the right direction on second start for this yard when behind Velvet Elvis at Fairyhouse 10 weeks ago. Never raced beyond 3m though (all wins over shorter) and he has plenty on his plate.
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19
Horse silk
Roi Mage29
Age: 11|  Weight: 10-8| J: Felix de Giles| T: P Griffin| OR:  149
33/1
Eight-time winning chaser who struck for new yard at Down Royal last spring. Second to Longhouse Poet bidding for the repeat 4 weeks ago and plenty of others have stronger claims given he's prone to mistakes.
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20
Horse silk
Diol Kerb55
Age: 9|  Weight: 10-8| J: K E Buckley| T: N Meade| OR:  149
100/1
Well suited to the demands of large-field staying handicaps, winning the Leinster National last season and going close in a valuable contest at Leopardstown over Christmas. Not so good at Punchestown since though and work to do up in trip.
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21
Horse silk
A Wave Of The Seap31
Age: 7|  Weight: 10-6| J: Shane Fitzgerald| T: J P O'Brien| OR:  147
66/1
All his wins have come over much shorter and he ran a shocker for the third year running at the Cheltenham Festival last month. Very hard to fancy upped markedly in trip.
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22
Horse silk
Minella Trump21
Age: 9|  Weight: 10-6| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR:  147
50/1
The winningmost horse of last season (won 8 of his 9 starts at up to 3m, mostly in small-field contests). Should have come on for his first run in 10 months at Bangor 3 weeks ago but doesn't look well enough handicapped to take this for 2011's winning trainer.
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23
Horse silk
Vanillierp,t49
Age: 8|  Weight: 10-6| J: S W Flanagan| T: G P Cromwell| OR:  147
20/1
Grade 1 hurdles winner over 3m and ran an eye-catching race in Fairyhouse Grade 3 chase 7 weeks ago, closing all the way behind the classy Kemboy without being not knocked about. Should stay this far and if keeping the mistakes down he could go well.
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24
Horse silk
Velvet Elvis26
Age: 7|  Weight: 10-6| J: D J O'Keeffe| T: T Gibney| OR:  147
25/1
Made all at Fairyhouse in February and fair run behind Any Second Now at Navan 4 weeks ago. Stamina to prove here though (finished tired in last year's Irish National) and hard to see him in the shake up.
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25
Horse silk
Ain't That A Shame35
Age: 9|  Weight: 10-5| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR:  146| BF
10/1
Was shaping up well this season before opening account over fences in Gowran maiden in the mud 5 weeks ago, readily coming clear despite a couple of mistakes. Could have a bigger effort in the locker now contesting a marathon handicap and one to note under 2021-winning rider Rachael Blackmore.
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26
Horse silk
Corach Ramblert32
Age: 9|  Weight: 10-5| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR:  146| C
8/1
Leaped into favouritism for this with a second successive win in the Ultima Handicap at the Cheltenham Festival, idling late having quickened smartly to lead. 10 lb well-in and Scottish yard won this with One For Arthur in 2017. Obvious chance if he doesn't get too far back.
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27
Horse silk
Enjoy D'allenb,t49
Age: 9|  Weight: 10-5| J: S D Torrens| T: Ciaran Murphy| OR:  146
50/1
Dual winning chaser who got no further than the first in this last year having been purchased by top owner and he's been well held since, going with little fluency at Fairyhouse 7 weeks ago. Tongue tie back on.
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28
Horse silk
Mr Incredible30
Age: 7|  Weight: 10-4| J: B Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR:  145
14/1
Has his quirks (has refused to race) but also a ton of ability, placed in valuable staying handicap chases the last twice, his effort flattening out as he wandered badly on the run-in in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last month. Will stay and has it in him to run a huge race if taking to the test.
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29
Horse silk
Mister Coffey32
Age: 8|  Weight: 10-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR:  145| BF
33/1
Talented but rather frustrating performer who was placed again at the Cheltenham Festival when third to Gaillard du Mesnil in the NH Chase, wilting from 2 out. Didn't take to these fences in last year's Topham and with his stamina doubts he's unlikely to be Nicky Henderson's first winner in this.
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30
Horse silk
Cloudy Glen32
Age: 10|  Weight: 10-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR:  145
80/1
Hard to predict but was runner-up in the Kim Muir 2 years ago and won the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury on return last season. Jumped well but had a hard race on his return at Haydock and bombed out behind Corach Rambler at Cheltenham. Trainer and owners have enjoyed success in this over the years.
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31
Horse silk
Hill Sixteenp1,t21
Age: 10|  Weight: 10-2| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR:  143
80/1
Close second in the mud over these fences in the 2021 Becher but patchy form since, well held again at Kelso (lost a shoe) after 4 months off/another breathing operation at Kelso 3 weeks ago. Cheekpieces go on and he should stay this far. Jockey rode the 66/1-winner of this in 2013.
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32
Horse silk
Gabbys Cross34
Age: 8|  Weight: 10-2| J: Peter Carberry| T: H De Bromhead| OR:  143
50/1
Won handicap chase at Galway last summer and has been shaping up well in good races this season, finishing with running left at Naas 5 weeks ago. Rachael Blackmore switches to stablemate Ain't That A Shame but he should stay and unwise to dismiss.
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33
Horse silk
Recite A Prayert109
Age: 8|  Weight: 10-2| J: J B Foley| T: W P Mullins| OR:  142
80/1
Won the Killarney National last spring and good efforts at Listowel/Clonmel in the autumn. Well beaten over these fences in the Becher and at Leopardstown in December though and looks down the Willie Mullins' pecking order back from a break.
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34
Horse silk
Eva's Oskart1,v49
Age: 9|  Weight: 10-2| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR:  142
50/1
Likeable chaser who has improved since the visor went on, scoring at Cheltenham in December and doing enough to prove himself over this sort of trip when fourth in the Eider at Newcastle 7 weeks ago. Tongue tie goes on and probably only minor place claims.
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35
Horse silk
Our Powerp49
Age: 8|  Weight: 10-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas| OR:  141
25/1
Improving and likeable chaser who has won valuable 3m handicaps at Ascot and Kempton 4 months apart this term, jumping soundly and holding on gamely 7 weeks ago. Done well to get a run as a progressive sort (due to be 4 lb higher in the future) and well in the mix if he stays.
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36
Horse silk
Dunboyneb130
Age: 8|  Weight: 10-2| J: Jack Tudor| T: G Elliott| OR:  141
50/1
Off the mark over fences in the Gowran mud in November and went close behind Carefully Selected in valuable handicap there in January. Kept on from a long way back in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last month and sterner headgear tried upped markedly in trip now.
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37
Horse silk
Francky Du Berlaist31
Age: 10|  Weight: 10-2| J: Ben Jones| T: P & M Bowen| OR:  141
125/1
Notched up a second win in the valuable Summer Plate at Market Rasen last summer. Looked energised by step up to a marathon trip in cross country race at Cheltenham in January and shaped well again on that course last month (might have hung on for third if finishing). Could go well for a long way.
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38
Horse silk
Fortescueb156
Age: 9|  Weight: 10-2| J: Hugh Nugent| T: H D Daly| OR:  140
100/1
Useful chaser who relished the emphasis on stamina when landing a listed handicap at Ascot (3m, heavy) last season. Hasn't taken to this course in 2 tries though, never going well from the third in this last year and looking laboured in the Becher in December. Different headgear. Hard to fancy.
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39
Horse silk
Back On The Lash31
Age: 9|  Weight: 10-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: M Keighley| OR:  140
22/1
Struck again over the cross country fences at Cheltenham in January but struggled once more behind Delta Work there last month and this is even tougher from out of the weights under a change of rider.
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40
Horse silk
Born By The Sea30
Age: 9|  Weight: 10-2| J: P T Enright| T: P J Gilligan| OR:  137
50/1
Useful handicap chaser at his best who has failed to figure (albeit faced with stiff tasks) last 4 starts and would be a surprising winner from out of the weights.
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Non-Runners

16
Horse silk
Escaria Ten30
Weight: 10-10|  Age: 9
T: G Elliott  J: Adrian Heskin
NR

Forecasts

Corach Rambler (8/1), Gaillard Du Mesnil (10/1), Noble Yeats (10/1), Ain't That A Shame (10/1), Delta Work (11/1), The Big Dog (12/1), Le Milos (12/1), Mr Incredible (14/1), Any Second Now (14/1), Vanillier (20/1), Longhouse Poet (20/1), Capodanno (22/1), Galvin (22/1), Back On The Lash (22/1), Our Power (25/1), Velvet Elvis (25/1), Coko Beach (28/1), Roi Mage (33/1), Mister Coffey (33/1), Lifetime Ambition (33/1), Fury Road (33/1), The Big Breakaway (40/1), Born By The Sea (50/1), Enjoy D'allen (50/1), Carefully Selected (50/1), Minella Trump (50/1), Gabbys Cross (50/1), Dunboyne (50/1), Eva's Oskar (50/1), A Wave Of The Sea (66/1), Sam Brown (66/1), Escaria Ten (66/1), Recite A Prayer (80/1), Hill Sixteen (80/1), Cloudy Glen (80/1), Fortescue (100/1), Darasso (100/1), Diol Ker (100/1), Cape Gentleman (100/1), Francky Du Berlais (125/1)

Verdict

DELTA WORK can give Gordon Elliott a fourth Grand National victory. He's been extremely strong at the finish when winning the Cross Country Chase for the last 2 years, the same race Tiger Roll landed before taking this in 2018 and 2019 for connections, and he gave a great account of himself when third off 1 lb higher 12 months ago. Corach Rambler is another dual Cheltenham Festival winner who ticks plenty of boxes for the 2017-winning yard. Le Milos and Vanillier complete the shortlist.

Previous Winners

2022
Noble Yeats
Weight: 10-10  |Age: 7
50/1

Prize Money

1st: £500,000.002nd: £200,000.003rd: £100,000.004th: £65,000.005th: £40,000.006th: £30,000.007th: £20,000.008th: £15,000.009th: £10,000.0010th: £5,000.00

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