Gigginstown on a Roll as far as the Aintree Grand National is concerned

The official revealing of the weights for the World’s most watched horse race is just around the corner and with some of the trial races nearly upon us, it’s worth taking a detailed look at some of the more likely participants come April.

Gigginstown on the charge again

Gigginstown House Stud have won two of the last three renewals of the big race, most recently with the three-time Cheltenham Festival winner Tiger Roll and their runners are always worthy of close inspection.

There’s a case to be made for opposing current favourite Tiger Roll in his bid to land back-to-back renewals. No horse since the mighty Red Rum in 1974 has successfully defended their crown in the race and while the son of Authorized is as talented as he is versatile, he’s not without his quirks.

The nine-year-old “missed” a couple of fences last year, particularly the second last that he ploughed through the middle of, a mistake he would never have been able to get away with in years gone by. While the fences seem to get smaller with each year that passes, they still warrant plenty of respect and the nine-year-old wouldn’t be guaranteed to get away with it two years running.

Furthermore, Gordon Elliot’s charge will have plenty more weight on his back this time around. Not only is that a challenge for any horse but certainly a major concern for one as petit as Tiger Roll.

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Gigginstown usually throw several darts at the race and Outlander is another interesting runner in the ante post market. He’s certainly got enough class on his day to land a race such as this and he’s a particularly sound jumper but there must be concerns at his record over further than three miles.

Tiger Roll’s stablemate Monbeg Notorious has the right sort of profile coming in to the race. The former point-to-point winner looked like a progressive stayer throughout last season and the eight-year-old currently has entries in Gold Cups either side of the Irish Sea as well as a potential reappearance run at Gowran Park later this month.

The son of Milan could switch paths to the Grand National given his owner’s penchant for the race and he wasn’t disgraced on his sole start at a marathon trip at Fairyhouse last year (finished eighth of 30). He’s interesting enough from an antepost angle at around 50/1.

There are some familiar names amongst the home challenge with the likes of Definitly Red and The Last Samuri likely to turn up for another crack but it’s more than likely their chance has gone with the days when they were better handicapped.

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Singlefarmpayment suited to the unique test

Singlefarmpayment is one that catches the eye in the long list of potential runners. Tom George’s stablestar is certainly a quirky sort with his finishing effort coming in to question again at Cheltenham last time out.

He’s the sort of horse who gives the impression he would be last off the bridle only to be beat in both Grade 1 company or a Class 5 handicap chase but there’s no doubting his talent, particularly in the jumping department.

If connections decide Liverpool’s big race is the target, he won’t be any sort of 50/1 shot on the day and he is of interest from an each-way perspective.

The French challenge not to be underestimated

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There may not have been a French-trained winner of the race since the 1867 Grand National but they wouldn’t have had many runners in that time either and the statistic shouldn’t put you off the talented Urgent De Gregaine.

Cross Country specialists have a fair record in the race as seen with the likes of Tiger Roll and Bless The Wings finishing first and third respectively in 2018. Urgent De Gregaine finished runner-up in 2017’s famous Pardubice before two placed efforts in Cross Country races at Cheltenham, most notably his latter effort behind Tiger Roll at 2018’s Festival.

Emmanuel Clayeux’s charge was pulled up on his seasonal return at Auteil over an inadequate three miles but he can be forgiven that effort and he’s been declared a non-runner since on unsuitable ground (too fast).

The veteran has won in this country before, landing the Cross-Country event on trials’ day at Cheltenham two years ago and the unique test of Aintree could be right up his street; he’s another who may have been underestimated in the antepost betting market, widely available at 50/1.

A 50-1 skinner: Urgent De Gregaine, trained in central France by Emmanuel Clayeux, wins under @FelixdeGiles https://t.co/Va9VYheXDC

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) January 28, 2017