Ruby Walsh: Luckless last year, Any Second Now can land Grand National spoils this time
BIG PLAYER: Leading Grand National contender Any Second Now on the gallops with Katie Walsh at Aintree on Friday.
Last yearâs historic winner for Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead, he bids to defy a big rise in the weights and comes here, I think, out of form. Itâs hard to see a repeat.
Is he a replacement for Tiger Roll? He was brilliant in the Cross Country Chase, when he beat Tiger Roll, and I loved the way he took to those jumps. But there is question mark over him in big fields. Can he handle the hustle and bustle? He is a five-time Grade One winner and if he adapts to a handicap, he is the one that is going to take most of the beating.
Sent off joint favourite at Cheltenham following Paddy Power win at Leopardstown but was pulled up after bad mistake. Has potential to improve and could run well if his jumping holds up.
Trained by Dad, he looked unlucky in the race last year, when he suffered huge interference at the 12th fence, but somehow managed to get himself back into the race to finish third. He only carried 10-9 then, and heâs carrying 11-8 this year so itâs going to be a different race for him, but he looks in great form and is certainly the one Iâll be cheering home.
Second in the National Hunt Chase, in last seasonâs Irish National, and the Thyestes but is a Troytown winner. The worry Iâd have is his stamina. Iâm not certain heâll get the trip, but he will travel and give you a run for your money.
A former Grade One winner, he won at Ascot in November and his last couple of runs were okay. Drops to a mark of 157 from a high of 169, if he found his old spark, heâd have some sort of chance.
Pulled up in the Thyestes and unseated in the Cross Country at Cheltenham, he finished second in the Kerry National earlier in the season and has each-way chance at best.
Fourth in this last year, when he travelled and jumped as well as anything. The trip looked a concern for him, and he must bounce back from a poor effort in the Bobbyjo Chase.
Looked in wonderful form when winning at Clonmel and Fairyhouse but was no match for Elimay at Cheltenham. The trip will suit but she tends to jump to her right, which could be an issue.
Trained by Martin Brassil, who won the race with Numbersixvalverde, he was a good winner of the Thyestes and then had a run over hurdles to keep himself ready for this. Almost a Grade One novice hurdler, heâs going in the right direction and is a big player.
Second in the Ladbrokes Trophy in November and has had only one run since, but fitness shouldnât be an issue and he has been targeted at the race by Colin Tizzard. Has the pace to travel, is a good jumper, and I think he could be the best of the British.
Chased home Fakir Dâoudairies in a Grade One at Ascot on his most recent start, but stamina and his run over these fences last year didnât scream âGrand National winner.âÂ
Second in a Gold Cup in his pomp but as heâs got older, heâs certainly got slower, and he could be a hard horse to get a position on.
Who knows with Samcro? If the best Samcro turned up, heâd be chucked in off 152.
Went down by a nose to Any Second Now in the Bobbyjo and was eighth in the Thyestes. Pulled up in last yearâs Irish National but looks a horse with the profile for an English National and will be on many short lists.
The choice of Daryl Jacob, who had the pick of Isaac Souede and Simon Munirâs horses, his trainer, Nigel Twiston-Davies, knows what it takes to win this race, and this fellowâs a runner.
Useful sort at best but pulled up on only start for current yard so has plenty to prove.
Grey horse who races close to the pace but finds it hard to win.
Ran well behind Eldorado Allen in the Denman Chase but that was his only start since October 2020 and records suggest you need more than one run under your belt.
Another with just one run since 2020, and that prep is an issue.
Had poor prep last year, having not run since the previous November. Got himself into a really good position but looked to tire. Different prep and should be fitter horse this time. Could run a big race.
Took heavy fall behind Snow Leopardess in the Becher Chase. Wears his heart on his sleeve but hard to think heâs ahead of the handicapper.
Looked to get outpaced early in the Paddy Power Chase but ran a really good race. In last yearâs Irish National he was able to hold a really good position and finished third. Strong stayer, good jumper and is a big runner in his new colours, for JP McManus.
Placed in a couple of Gold Cups but is 12 now. Tony Martin thinks he has him in better form now than last year, but he was beaten early then. Prefer others.
Second to Mighty Thunder in last yearâs Scottish National is the pick of his form, and a repeat would give him an outside chance.
If he can get into the same sort of rhythm as he did when winning the Irish National, heâll run a big race. Big price, but an each-way shout.
Fifteenth in last yearâs race and form this year hasnât been any better than it was then. Looking for another completion.
Purchased by the Waley Cohenâs for Sam to have a ride in the race, he was second to Ahoy Senor at Wetherby before finishing in midfield behind Corach Rambler at Cheltenham. Mightnât have the experience for this task.
2021 Scottish National hero but was pulled up on two most recent outings and must come back to his best.
Didnât seem to stay in this race last year.
A pleasure to watch wining the Becher Chase, but sheâd want as much rain as is forecast to fall to help her hold a position. Iâm not sure she has the vital early speed.
Also needs rain and she only ran okay on her most recent start.
Closely matched with Snow Leopardess on old form and returned to form with a big run in December. Off since, but his trainer, Venetia Williams, knows what it takes to win this race having done so with 100-1 chance Mon Mome in 2009.
Good seconds last time, at Sandown, and here over hurdles earlier in the season. Runs in the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings and would be a poignant winner.
Ran okay to finish sixth in last yearâs race having been a long way back early. If he can be more prominent early, he could run better.
Pulled up last time. Hard to fancy.
Sixth to Corach Rambler at Cheltenham having won the National Trial at Punchestown previously. Eleven years old but is lightly raced and his trainer, Gordon Elliott, knows how to win a National.
No match for Win My Wings in the Eider Chase and hard to fancy here.
Finished second in the Eider, form which was franked by the winner following up in the Scottish National. Races close to the pace, jumps and stays, and has snuck in at the bottom of the handicap. Should go well.
Jumps and stays but may struggle to uphold Ascot form with Fiddlerontheroof.
Whilst it mightnât be the challenge it once was, the Grand National is still a unique test, and to win it you need to have the ability to hold a good position early in the race. That will suit the likes of Fiddlerontheroof, Run Wild Fred, Burrows Saint, Escaria Ten, Any Second Now and we know Minella Times could do it last year. It could also suit Longhouse Poet and Delta Work, and I think the winner will come from that bracket of horses, though Iâm a bit worried about Burrows Saint and Run Wild Fredâs stamina.
You must hold a good position because the race doesnât slow down as much anymore because itâs been made safer by the removal of the loose horses through the redesigning of the course. The jockeys are no longer second-guessing what the loose horses are going to do, so they donât have to slow down, and thus the Grand National is a thorough test of stamina.
1. Any Second NowÂ
2. Longhouse PoetÂ
3. Fiddlerontheroof
