Grand National

Boston Bob e-w also.

Have backed The Last Samuri and Shutthefrontdoor. Will wait until morning of the race ,to decide whether I also need to back Many Clouds.

I don't think soft ground is almost certain myself. Think it will be Good to Soft (soft in places)

My shortlist of 4 are:
The Romford Pele (nap)
Bishops Road (NB)
Saint Are
Gallant Oscar

I think Bishops Road has a good chance if he gets in but a horse that has been ignored is Vics Canvas.
Because he is 13 people have forgotten him (I did) but take a good look and you will see that he appears to improve with age. His run in The Whitbread Lite was a cracker and it can be argued that his run behind Highland Lodge was his best ever effort. He has experience of the fences , goes on any ground , stays , is fairly treated and has Rob Dunne to help him. Dunne is a fine horseman , I have every faith in him. 66/1 with the books and name your price on Betfair. Come Friday he could be a steamer.

backed many clouds last year and also the druids nephew (which i think may have won)  and ive just gone through this years race

pretty unoriginal but i honestly think many clouds could well do it again , ok he carries more but hes sure to be bang there barring accidents so even at around 8s with a cover place at 2/1 i think youre sure to get a good run for your money again if not the cracking price of last year,

If you fancy Many Clouds, then surely you have to fancy Saint Are too? Was closing all the time last year and his breathing op could well do enough to go one better.

The Last Samuri
The Druids Nephew
Saint Are
Ballycasey

The above against the field - win only.

best race of the year too watch..worst race of the year to have a bet....lay the ones you dont fancy the way to go...ON THE OFF, when they have all drifted bar 1 or 2

Live next to course rain over last few days not heavy going will be no worst than good to soft.

Thanks ap

Unioniste Nicholls back on form and carrying a featherweight whats not to like

Goonyella
Rule The World
The Druids Nephew
Unioniste
Ucello Conti

Morning Assembly
Ucello Conti
Holywell
The Last Samuri

My record in race is apalling, so lay away lol.

I backed three losers before the weights were published so be warned!

Vics Canvas
Holywell
Morning Assembly
Sir Des Champs

Assuming Bishops Road does not get in.

cant catch me ill have another look at saint are , certainly seems strong in the market


interesting timeform dont think many clouds is a c&d winner

1. Holywell
2. Silviniaco Conti
3. Sir Des Champs
4. Aachen

Plenty of rain due Friday into Saturday so coukd be pretty gruelling.

I backed Gallant Oscar (33/1) and Mornng Assembky (40/1) when the weights came out, but with the wet forecast I have added
Sir Des Champ @ 33/1
Black Thunder @ 120.

uncle think Black Thunder will get round don't know about SWC possibly the worst jockey I have seen for some time

SWC is fine by me - decent record over the national course over the years.

Now backed Silvinaco Conti and Saint Are both e-w.

Thats five horses and will be a little irritated if The Last Samurai,Holywell or The Druids Nephew make the frame but you can`t back them all.

Best would be Shutthefrontdoor.

like Unioniste myself

Just A par 70s win
6 pls  7s.
   GL ALL
lets hope they all come home.

Two new ones with similar sounding names:-
Ucello Conti - 1pt
Silviniaco Conti - 1pt

Some serious money for Shutthefrontdoor - it's only 13 here.

Just layed Shutthefrontdoor at 11.5. Still a nice winner,you know it makes sense.

Three that a fit a few trends

Rule the World

Goonyella

Le Reve

Could be attritional if they go off too quick

GL ALL

Great call Nocturnal.

Thanks Wadders

Strong stats race in the past,the ground came right for him,the slight negative was the jockey pre race and lack of experience.

Thought he gave it a cracking ride,recovered well when it hit the 4th last and produced him perfectly at the elbow,fine effort for one so young.

Off topic,not so sure about that start time,much prefer the 4-15 slot,thoughts anyone?

Yes, well done, nocturnal, and also
626!

I too prefer the earlier start time.

Why do you prefer the earlier time?

I think it works well as it builds up to the big race. I thought it was funny that the last is a conditionals race with the thought that the GN winning jockey would be doing more interviews with the media then it's won by a conditional.

Thanks SR.......Agree 626, stuck him up while ago...vwp

S Ship.......probably more to do with tradition,do not watch the build up at all,so I can,t comment on that.

All seemed a little odd,your point about last race is valid,stick it on thurs/friday,make the national the last race saturday?

Either way,be interesting to hear what trainers thought etc.....D Mullins might be a little biased.