LOST GLORY – 66/1
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| Can Jonjo O'Neill find glory at Aintree? |
Jonjo O’Neill has a strong hand in this year’s Grand
National, saddling both last year’s runner-up Sunnyhillboy, and the intriguing
Lost Glory. Lost Glory has continued to improve since 2010, most notably during
last year. His last run was over three miles in a handicap chase at Chepstow in
October 2012. He won that day with AP McCoy aboard, and he had some interesting
sorts in behind. Catching the eye most was the fact that Golden Chieftan was 17
lengths behind him on that occasion. You will remember that Golden Chieftan was
a runaway winner of the JLT over three miles at Cheltenham. If Lost Glory is
stripped fit, his current price of 66/1 is very inviting.
ON HIS OWN – 8/1
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| Willie Mullins saddles this year's favourite, On His Own |
Last year, On His Own was quietly fancied at 14/1 for the
Grand National, and was disputing 3rd place before falling at the 21st
fence. He will take his place on the line again this term, and will only have
to carry three pound more than last year. He has only made one appearance on the
track since then, and that was in February where he won a 2m 5f Grade 2 hurdle
at Navan. He proved his fitness, and a run in February is time enough as preparation
for the Aintree showpiece. He has the added value of having Ruby Walsh on his back
after the withdrawal of Prince De Beauchene for Willie Mullins. The price is
getting shorter by the day, and he seems to be the hot prospect of recent
renewals.
COLBERT STATION – 14/1
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| Colbert Station |
Trainer Ted Walsh was critical of the weight afforded to
Seabass, but a little lower in the weights is another of his charges, Colbert
Station. He has won two strong races recently, most notably when landing the
Paddy Power Chase over three miles at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting. Most
recently, he won a three mile hurdle at cramped odds, and both these wins came
against large fields of more than twenty runners. It seems the further he goes
over fences, the better he gets, and that bodes well for the 4m 3f trip in the
Grand National. He has to be taken very seriously.
ACROSS THE BAY – 40/1
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| Another McCain National winner? |
Across The Bay will carry 11-2 for Donald McCain, and could
give the trainer his second win in the race, following on from his success with
Ballabriggs in 2011. As we know, Donald’s father Ginger McCain trained four
Grand National winning horses, and if it runs in the family, Donald could have
found another winner in Across The Bay. The horse recently won a very good 3m
hurdle on heavy ground at Haydock in February. If you can forgive his poor run
in the Welsh National in January and look further back in time, he does possess
some eye-catching form. In November 2012, he shouldered 11-10 in a 3m chase at
Carlisle on heavy ground, and he trounced one of this year’s National
favourites, Cappa Bleu (14/1) by 28 lengths in the process. With this in mind,
Across The Bay has to be given serious consideration, especially at 40/1 for a
great trainer.
