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We take a look at this year’s declarations.

Minella Times

No: 1 | Age: 9 | Weight: 11-10 | Trainer: Henry De Bromhead | Jockey: Rachael Blackmore

Impressively won last year’s Grand National under Rachael Blackmore but has not performed since. He fell 3 out at Punchestown in December before being pulled up in February at Leopardstown. As a previous winner he can’t be ruled out, but there may be better options in the race this year. Currently looks as though he will go into this race as Henry De Bromhead’s most favoured horse and Rachael will get the leg up again and we have all been taught so far that you can never underestimate the Blackmore/De Bromhead partnership.

Delta Work

No: 2 | Age: 9 | Weight: 11-09 | Trainer: Gordon Elliott | Jockey: Jack Kennedy

This Gordon Elliott runner stepped up in trip when winning last time out in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham, beating dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll. He hadn’t won since February 2020 before this when winning the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown. His form is very up and down but the Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud partnership are no strangers to a winner in the Grand National.

School Boy Hours

Number: 3 | Age: 9 | Weight: 10-05 | Trainer: Noel Meade | Jockey: Sean Flanagan

His first Chase win was at Leopardstown in December in a 3m Handicap Chase, however his next time out was very disappointing when being pulled up in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. He’s very well handicapped and if he makes the cut he could be one to consider for your Placepot.

 Any Second Now

No: 4 | Age: 10 | Weight: 11-08 | Trainer: Ted Walsh | Jockey: Mark Walsh

Ran a strong race in 2021 when he was heavily backed, finishing third for Ted and Mark Walsh. Has been seen 3 times since this run, disappointing twice before winning last time out at Fairyhouse in the Tote Bobbyjo Chase. In last year’s Grand National he carried 10-09 so a big step up to carrying 11-08 this year, however he did carry 11-08 when winning last time out.

Run Wild Fred

No: 5 | Age: 8 | Weight: 11-07 | Trainer: Gordon Elliott | Jockey: Davy Russell

With the same connections as Tiger Roll and Delta Work, he should be taken seriously if he’s declared. Since finishing second in the Irish Grand National in 2021, he’s been very impressive. This season he’s finished second 3 times including in the National Hunt Cup at the Cheltenham Festival as well as winning comfortably in the Troytown Handicap Chase over 3 miles in November. 

Lostintranslation

No: 6 | Age: 10 | Weight: 11-06 | Trainer: Colin Tizzard | Jockey: Harry Cobden

He has lost his way over the years after winning the Betfair Chase in 2019 followed by a third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2020. He won in November 2021 at Ascot, beating some notable horses, however his form has been very rocky. He doesn’t look good enough to beat some of the horses entered for this year’s Grand National, however he’s a classy horse and if the Tizzard’s believe the extra distance is what he needs he might surprise us.

Brahma Bull

No: 7 | Age: 11 | 11-06 | Trainer: Willie Mullins | Jockey: Brian Hayes

He started the season well, placing in all four of his starts before being pulled up at Gowran Park in January then unseating Brian Hayes in the Cross Country at the Cheltenham Festival last time out. Willie Mullins looks to have a better horse in the race, however if he can bounce back to his form earlier this season, he could be a good selection in the Placepot.

Burrows Saint

No: 8 | Age: 9 | Weight: 11-05 | Trainer: Willie Mullins | Jockey: Paul Townend

Looks to be Willie Mullins’ best shot at a Grand National winner this year. He won the Irish Grand National in 2019 before finishing 4th in the 2021 running of the English Grand National under Patrick Mullins. This season has been a little disappointing with a second and two 3rds including the Tote Bobbyjo Chase in February where he finished behind two other Grand National hopefuls in Any Second Now and Escaria Ten by a huge 42 lengths.  There are better horses in the race who have already beat him, however after coming out of the Cheltenham Festival with double figures in winners, we can never rule out a Willie Mullins runner.

Mount Ida

No: 9 | Age: 8 | Weight: 11-05 | Trainer: Gordon Elliott | Jockey: Denis O'Regan

She has had 8 Chase starts, winning four, placing three times and a below average run at the Cheltenham Festival this year in the Mares’ Chase. Both point to point races were over 3 miles in 2018, however she has only ran 3 miles once since then when winning the Kim Muir Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in 2021, suggesting the distance could be an issue. 

Longhouse Poet

No: 10 | Age: 8 | Weight: 11-04 | Trainer: Martin Brassil | Jockey: Darragh O'Keeffe

He has had 6 starts over fences, winning two of them including the Goffs Thyestes in January, however this was only his second handicap chase where he carried 10-09, so he’d be carrying 8lb more. Ideally he may have needed more of a prep run before heading into the Grand National, but it’s very unlikely he’ll get another run now before the race. His last run came in the Boyne Hurdle in February running 2m5f on heavy ground where he ran very below par, however his form suggests the ground will not be an issue with him performing on everything from Good, Soft and Heavy. 

Fiddlerontheroof

No: 11 | Age: 8 | Weight: 11-04 | Trainer: Colin Tizzard | Jockey: Brendan Powell

This Tizzard runner has been very consistent since going Chasing. He’s had ten starts and has won twice, placing 8 times. He was a huge price when finishing second in the Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2021 and has since gone on to improve further. He has been narrowly beaten in his last two starts this season, could be an interesting runner.

Two For Gold

No: 12 | Age: 9 | Weight: 11-03 | Trainer: Kim Bailey | Jockey: David Bass 

He’s won twice this season at Doncaster and Lingfield before finishing second in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase in February behind Fakir D’oudairies by just 1 ¾ lengths. However he rarely runs beyond three miles so this could be an issue in the Grand National. Kim Bailey may know something we don’t know here so only time will tell.

Santini

No: 13 | Age: 10 | Weight: 11-02 | Trainer: Polly Gundry | Jockey: Nick Scholfield

Santini was runner up in the 2020 running of the Cheltenham Gold Cup behind Al Boum Photo by just a neck. In 2021 he made another bid for the Gold Cup however was pulled up after the 12th fence by Aidan Coleman. He moved to his new trainer Polly Gundry and has finished 4th, 2nd and finally 8th in this year’s renewal of the Gold Cup. With trainer Polly Gundry saying “he wants a longer trip these days, so it should suit him well” he could be an interesting runner.

Samcro

No: 14 | Age: 10 | Weight: 11-01 | Trainer: Gordon Elliott | Jockey: Sean Bowen

He won in his Irish point to point debut over 3 miles in 2016, however he has only ran 3+ miles three times since. In those he was pulled up, finished 8/8 before finishing 3/5 in his latest start at Down Royal. He was once looked up on as one of Gordon Elliott’s wonder horses, however his form is very questionable in recent times. 4+ miles looks a lot to ask. 

Escaria Ten

Number: 15 | Age: 8 | Weight: 11-01 | Trainer: Gordon Elliott | Jockey: Adrian Heskin

He finished third in the National Hunt Chase in 2021 before heading to the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse less than a month later where he was pulled up before jumping the last. Last time out he finished second behind Any Second Now in the Tote Bobbyjo Chase in a photo finish. He hasn’t run since so he should be going into the Grand National fresh and well rested.

Good Boy Bobby

Number: 16 | Age: 9 | Weight: 10-13 | Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies | Jockey: Daryl Jacob

He is a decent chaser who has always done well for connections. With 12 starts under his belt, he’s won four and finished second in four. He lacks experience beyond 3 miles, however he’s never fallen, unseated his rider or been pulled up which is a positive sign. In his last two Handicap starts he’s carried 11-8 and 11-12 so his connections should be very happy with his allocated weight here.

Romain De Senam

Number: 17 | Age: 10 | Weight: 10-05 | Trainer: David Pipe | Jockey: Philip Armson

He has only had one race this season in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter in March where he was pulled up, based on that form it doesn’t set him up well for the big race. There are horses you’d choose before looking at this one. However important to note: he has already been declared for the Topham Handicap Chase on Friday.

Coko Beach

Number: 18 | Age: 7 | Weight: 10-13 | Trainer: Gordon Elliott | Jockey: Jonjo O'Neill Jr

Not one of Gordon Elliott’s most eye-catching horses entered for the race. He finished 7th in the Irish Grand National in 2021 and has run very disappointingly since. His last race was in February in the Tote Bobbyjo Chase where he finished 4/4 behind three other Grand National hopefuls in Any Second Now, Escaria Ten and Burrows Saint. There are other Elliott runners in the race you’d look at before this one.

De Rasher Counter

Number: 19 | Age: 10 | Weight: 10-12 | Trainer: Emma Lavelle | Jockey: Adam Wedge

He spent a year on the sidelines before returning to Newbury in February where he finished fourth out of five runners. He travelled well for the majority of the race before getting tired in the later stages. His trainer Emma Lavelle has recently taken him to a local point to point track to jump some fences and seems happy with him. With only one prep run since his return it looks a big ask to head straight into the Grand National.

Kildisart

Number: 20 | Age: 10 | Weight: 10-11 | Trainer: Ben Pauling | Jockey: James Bowen

He was out of action for over a year, returning to the track in March where he finished 4th in a Handicap Chase over 2m4f. His previous run to this was in November 2020. It looks a very big ask for him to head straight into the Grand National, others are more favoured here.

Discorama

Number: 21 | Age: 9 | Weight: 10-11 | Trainer: Paul Nolan | Jockey: Brian Cooper

Discorama put in a huge performance when finishing seventh in last year’s Grand National, however he looked to run out of steam towards the end. He has since finished 2nd and 5th in his two starts this season, hopefully with these runs he has built his stamina and could go well again this year.

Top Ville Ben

Number: 22 | Age 10 | Weight: 10-11 | Trainer: Philip Kirby | Jockey: Tommy Dowson

Started his account this season with an unimpressive performance at Wetherby in the Charlie Hall Chase in October before falling in the Becher Handicap Chase at Aintree in December. He’s since finished 3rd at Wetherby, won at Lingfield over hurdles and finished 2nd at Haydock over hurdles. Very difficult to fancy on his current form.

Enjoy D’allen

Number: 23 | Age: 8 | Weight: 10-11 | Trainer: Ciaran Murphy | Jockey: Conor Orr

He was a huge price when finishing 3rd in the Irish Grand National in 2021 and has started this campaign strongly. In November he ran at Fairyhouse in a hurdle race and was far from impressive, however his last two runs were at Leopardstown in December where he finished 3rd before heading back to Leopardstown in February for a Handicap Hurdle where he finished 5th. The handicapper has been pretty generous here so he has every opportunity to run a good race. He’s maybe one of the more fancied horses so far, however this will be his first time jumping the Aintree fences so as always, anything could happen.

Anibale Fly

Number: 24 | Age: 12 | Weight: 10-11 | Trainer: A J Martin | Jockey: Luke Dempsey

Anibale Fly is one of the most experienced horses entered in this year’s Grand National, running in the race three times previously. In 2018 he finished 4th, in 2019 he finished 5th before unfortunately being pulled up in 2021. He carried 10-12 in 2021 when pulled up, he’s only 2lbs lower this year, so based on that form and the fact he’s now 12 years old, the Grand National could be a tough task for him.

Dingo Dollar

Number: 25 | Age: 10 | Weight: 10-11 | Trainer: Sandy Thomson | Jockey: Ryan Mania

Last year Dingo Dollar skipped Aintree and instead opted for the Scottish Grand National, finishing second by ¾ length. He’s since ran 3 times, all being under par, his best performance this season coming at Newcastle in November when he finished third in a Handicap Chase. He could be one for the Placepot shortlist.

Freewheelin Dylan

Number: 26 | Age: 10 | Weight: 10-10 | Trainer: Dermot A McLoughlin | Jockey: Ricky Doyle

He is the biggest priced winner in Irish National history when winning in 2021. His trainer has since been very keen to aim him towards Aintree for the 2022 Grand National. He’s an interesting runner, however in his last two appearances he unseated his rider at Cheltenham in November before being pulled up at Fairyhouse in January. Would need to get back to his best form to perform well here.  

Class Conti

Number: 27 | Age: 10 | Weight: 10-10 | Trainer: Willie Mullins | Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

Class Conti ran in the 2021 Grand National finishing 15th out of 15 finishers. This season, we haven’t seen any improvement in his form to suggest he can do better in this year’s Grand National. With 3 runs so far, he’s been pulled up, finished 9th then finished 11th. A hard horse to fancy in this year’s renewal.

Noble Yeats

Number: 28 | Age: 7 | Weight: 10-10 | Trainer: Emmet Mullins | Jockey: Sam Waley-Cohen

Still a very young horse who lacks a lot of experience compared to most other potential runners. This year’s form has been far from favourable, winning just 1 of 7 starts at Galway in October, finishing 2nd in a 4 horse race at Wetherby in February and no real notable performance. His prep run for the Grand National was in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival where he finished 9th, he would need to improve massively on this run if he were to do well in the Grand National.

Mighty Thunder

Number: 29 | Age: 9 | Weight: 10-10 | Trainer: Lucinda Russell | Jockey: Derek Fox

Mighty Thunder won the Scottish Grand National in 2021, however has been very disappointing since. He’s had three appearances this season, finishing 4th at Wetherby in October in the Charlie Hall Chase before being pulled up in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow in December as well as being pulled up in the Edinburgh National Handicap Chase at Musselburgh in February. If he can return to the form we saw last season, he could be seriously competitive, however it may be a lot to ask.

Cloth Cap

Number: 30 | Age: 10 | Weight: 10-10 | Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill | Jockey: Tom Scudamore

He was a big hope in the 2021 Grand National going off as the favourite, however he was very disappointing, being pulled up by Tom Scudaore at the 26th fence. This season has been disappointing so far, finishing 4th at Cheltenham in October, 6th at Newbury in November and a 3rd at Doncaster in March as well as refusing to jump the last fence at Ascot in December. Looks like a very big task for him to win this year’s renewal.

Snow Leopardess

Number: 31 | Age: 10 | Weight: 10-09 | Trainer: Charlie Longsdon | Jockey: Aidan Coleman

Snow Leopardess is in fantastic form this season, winning all 3 of her starts including the Becher Handicap Chase at Aintree in December. She’s a fan favourite and if she was to win she’d be one of very few greys, mares and mothers who have won the Grand National. She’s a tough horse who has been well handicapped and she’s definitely one to look at for your Placepot.

Agusta Gold

Number: 32 | Age: 9 | Weight: 10-09 | Trainer: Willie Mullins | Jockey: Danny Mullins

Agusta Gold was entered for last year’s Grand National, however connections opted for the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse instead where she finished 11th. This season has been disappointing, being pulled up at Leopardstown in December and again at Gowran Park in January. Her last run was at Down Royal on March 17th where she finished 2nd by 1 ¾ length. Would need to be at the top of her game to come close here.

Commodore

Number: 33 | Age: 10 | Weight: 10-05 | Trainer: Venetia Williams | Jockey: Charlie Deutsch

Commodore was pulled up in his last appearance at Wincanton in February 2021, he then had a wind op before returning to the track for the new season. With only one run this season, it looks as though this horse has been aimed at this contest. His only prep run was in December when winning at Cheltenham in a Grade 3 Handicap Chase. If he gets in, he could be a really interesting horse to look out for. 

Deise Aba

Number: 34 | Age: 9 | Weight: 10-08 | Trainer: Philip Hobbs | Jockey: Tom O'Brien

This season Deise Aba has finished 2nd three times including at Aintree in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle in November. Only blip this season was in the Welsh Grand National where he was pulled up 5 out. Could be one to look at for your Placepot based on current form.

Blaklion

Number: 35 | Age: 13 | Weight: 10-08 | Trainer: Dan Skelton | Jockey: Harry Skelton

Blaklion was Britain’s best finisher last year when finishing 6th. This season he has won two of his four starts, both coming at Haydock in December. His last run was at Haydock in the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase in February where he was pulled up before 4 out. Ran a great race in 2021, however now at the age of 13, this could be a lot to ask of him.

Poker Party

Number: 36 | Age: 10 | Weight: 10-08 | Trainer: Henry De Bromhead | Jockey: Robbie Power

Poker Party was out of action from March 2020 until he reappeared at Leopardstown in December 2021. He’s had 3 appearances this season all of which have been disappointing. Finishing 13th, 12th then being pulled up at the Cheltenham Festival in the Cross Country Chase. Based on his form since returning to action, it’s hard to fancy him.

Death Duty

Number: 37 | Age: 11 | Weight: 10-07 | Trainer: Gordon Elliott | Jockey: Jordan Gainford

Death Duty started off as an exciting Novice Chaser, however he was out of action between December 2017 and January 2020 and when he returned he was really disappointing. In more recent times, he was out of action between November 2020 and December 2021 and again, since returning has been disappointing, winning one of his four starts. His victory came in February at Punchestown in a Grand National Trial Handicap Chase. His final prep run was in the Ultima at Cheltenham where he finished 6th. If he could return to his old form then he could be exciting once again, but it may be too much to ask.

Domaine De L’Isle

Number: 38 | Age: 9 | Weight: 10-07 | Trainer: Sean Curran | Jockey: Harry Bannister

Domaine De L’Isle ran in the Becher Handicap Chase in December, finishing 4th behind another Grand National hopeful in Snow Leopardess. This year he ran in a Handicap Hurdle at Southwell in January, finishing second before heading to Newcastle for the Eider Handicap Chase where he finished 10th. Looks like he would have a lot to find.

Eclair Surf

Number: 39 | Age: 8 | Weight: 10-06 | Trainer: Emma Lavelle | Jockey: Tom Bellamy

Stepped up in trip to 3m5f when he won at Warwick in January. His form has since materialised with Corach Rambler going on to win the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. He also finished second in the Eider Handicap Chase at Newcastle in February behind Scottish Grand National winner Win My Wings. Could be an interesting runner. 

Fortescue

Number: 40 | Age: 8 | Weight: 10-06 | Trainer: Henry Daly | Jockey: Hugh Nugent

An interesting potential runner here, with 11 wins or places from 14 starts over fences. This includes a win last time out at Ascot in February over 2m7f. However he has never really been tested over a longer distance and has never won beyond 3 miles. He’s a very consistent horse, however the extra distance could prove to be a step too far for him.


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