In the victory in the Sky Bet Chase, while priced @ 40/1, he beat Aye Right (8/1) by 1¼L with the highly backed Cap Du Nord (4/1F) a further 2½L behind. A consistent performer who has placed in over 50% of his 32 career races. Takingrisks is priced at a healthy 40/1, a good shout for an each-way bet.
Discorama (8yo, 10st 6lb) – Trained by Paul Nolan, Discorama didn’t have the best of years in 2020. Ridden by B Cooper at Cheltenham in March, the horse finished third in a field of 23, 2 ½L behind winner The Conditional while joint-favourite @ 11/2. The horse was narrowly beaten at Galway in October, Milan Native winning by a short head. Discorama was also well beaten at Cheltenham last time out in November, a full 39L behind Ramses De Teillee and finished 5/6. Despite poor form, the horse could challenge over the longer distance of Aintree. He finished second to Le Breuil in the National Hunt Chase over nearly four miles. The horse was priced at 50/1 but is attracting interest and is now as low as 25/1.
Cloth Cap (9yo, 10st 5lb) – There is no doubt as to which horse is the bookmakers choice, at as low as 4/1 the Trevor Hemmings owned Cloth Cap is expected to win the Grand National. Last raced in March; the horse won at Kelso by 7½L over Aso over 2m7½f. Cloth Cap also won at Newbury in November, ridden by T Scudamore, beating Aye Right by 10L. The only concern is the distance, with most of the horse’s five wins being run between 2-3m. The last time the horse raced over 4 miles, Takingrisks beat him by 4L.
Minella Times (8yo, 10st 3lb) – Henry De Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore took the Cheltenham Festival by storm, and they will be hoping to have a similar impact at the Grand National with Minella Times. The horse has finished second in the last two runs, beaten by ½L by Off You Go at Leopardstown in February, and was 4 ½L behind Castlebawn West also at Leopardstown in December. The eight-year old’s last win was over 2m6f at Listowel in September last year, ridden by Blackmore, the horse finished ½ L ahead of Beyond The Law while priced @ 7/1. Priced at twelves for the Grand National and is definitely one to watch.
Ami Desbois (11yo, 10st 2lb) – If you are looking for an outsider to back, then the 100/1 shot Ami Desbois is worth an each-way punt. Despite being on a losing run of 15, the horse has finished second in six of those races and could surprise in a crowded field. A normally reliable jumper which bodes well for Aintree, the big question mark is stamina; as an 11-year-old, Ami Desbois is one of the oldest horses in the race. The horse last run over 3m in November 2019, finishing 6th in a field of ten, 31L behind winner Crievehill.
The Grade 3 Randox Grand National Handicap Chase starts at 5:15 pm on Saturday. Television coverage from Aintree is available on ITV 1 and Racing TV, which can be found on Sky channel 426.
