Eclair Surf and Fortescue both made the cut for the 2022 Grand National after two horses were pulled out of the race at the 48-hour declaration stage.
Nicky Henderson, who has not enjoyed much luck in the race of late, took out Caribean Boy after he met with an 11th-hour setback while Farclas, one of Gordon Elliott’s eight and quietly fancied after finishing fifth last year, was also removed in Thursday’s Grand National declarations.
Tom Bellamy, Emma Lavelle’s stable jockey, has switched to Eclair Surf from the trainer’s other runner De Rasher Counter who will now be ridden by Adam Wedge. Lavelle previously admitted Eclair Surf, who was second to last weekend’s runaway Scottish National winner Win My Wings in the Eider Chase, would be one of the form horses in the race.
Fortescue will be a first ride for Hugh Nugent while Noble Yeats will be a last ride for the this year’s only amateur Sam Waley-Cohen who has announced he will be retiring after the race.
Waley-Cohen is currently the most successful jockey over the course having won round it six times.
Minella Times, last year’s winner with 10st 3lbs on his back and the mount of Rachael Blackmore, will carry top weight of 11st 10lbs in this year’s race.
Here is our pinsticker guide to the top 40 entries plus four reserves for Saturday’s race. The final declarations will be confirmed at 1pm on Friday.
1
Minella Times
Trainer
Henry de Bromhead
Jockey
Rachael Blackmore
Made Grand National history last year when carrying Rachael Blackmore to victory. Comes back with a lot more weight and without having completed a course this season including a heavy fall. Not ideal. Maybe one of those horses who rises to the occasion but hard to see lightning striking twice.
2
Delta Work
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
Jack Kennedy
Earned pantomime infamy by beating stablemate Tiger Roll at Cheltenham. Always considered Gold Cup class by connections ever since winning Irish equivalent in 2020. Lost his way a bit but Satnav now back in working order. Serious chance even with 11st 8lbs.
3
Easysland
Trainer
Jonjo O’Neill
Jockey
Jonjo O’Neill Jr
Has one stand out piece of form when he beat a below par Tiger Roll 17 lengths in the cross-country at Cheltenham in 2020. Not forgiven by the handicapper for that. Pretty much diddly squat ever since and has pulled up last three starts although signs of life last time. Nevertheless.
4
Any Second Now
Trainer
Ted Walsh
Jockey
Mark Walsh
The hard luck story in last year’s race when third. Got shuffled back to last after nearly being brought down at half way but still finished good third. Ran a good trial when he just beat Escaria Ten in a trial. Had a racing weight last year, less so this time with 11st 7lbs.
5
Run Wild Fred
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
Davy Russell
Technically still a novice and took an age to break his duck over fences but he was runner-up in last year’s Irish National and in last month’s National Hunt Chase. No issues with stamina or jumping but has a habit of always finding one too good for him.
6
Lostintranslation
Trainer
Colin Tizzard
Jockey
Harry Cobden
Former Betfair Chase winner who finished a close third in the 2020 Gold Cup. Handicapper has not forgotten that but he has never quite shown the same level or form since. Ran an OK trial at Cheltenham but others more fancied.
7
Brahma Bull
Trainer
Willie Mullins
Jockey
Brian Hayes
Without winning too many he has finished close behind some quite smart horses like Galvin and Al Boum Photo. The handicapper seems to have noted that too. Has plenty of weight and has not completed on his last two starts. Needs some Mullins magic.
8
Burrows Saint
Trainer
Willie Mullins
Jockey
Paul Townend
Fourth in last year’s race albeit beaten the length of the Melling Road. Travelled well for a long way but perhaps didn’t quite see the trip out. Blew out in his trial, it is hard to see him improving on 12 months ago.
9
Mount Ida
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
Denis O’Regan
Like Snow Leopardess bidding to break the mares’ hoodoo. Won the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last year which is often a good trial and found mares’ race there last month too short and jumped out to her right. If she does that at Aintree she will end up in Fazackerley.
10
Longhouse Poet
Trainer
Martin Brassil
Jockey
Darragh O’Keeffe
If nothing else the name would look good on the National roll of honour but his win in the Thyestes Chase means he has more going for him than that. Has only run twice over three miles and won them both like he would get further. Best when the heavens open.
11
Fiddlerontheroof
Trainer
Colin Tizzard
Jockey
Brendan Powell
A Grade One winner over hurdles with some pretty smart handicap chase form. Trained with the race in mind, it would the perfect send-off for his popular trainer who is due to hand over to his son at the end of the season.
12
Two For Gold
Trainer
Kim Bailey
Jockey
David Bass
Trainer won it 32 years ago. Unseated rider at Canal Turn in last year’s Topham when he turned a bit sharper than than the jockey. Has some smart form this season including Grade One second. Likes to be up there, the softer the better but last mile and a half will be unknown territory.
13
Santini
Trainer
Polly Gundry
Jockey
Nick Scholfield
Second in the Gold Cup two years ago, he looks made for the trip. Has one gear but it is quite a high one, not too fussy about the ground and providing he takes to the place, he could well be in the mix crossing the melling Road for the last time.
14
Samcro
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
Sean Bowen
Two time Cheltenham Festival winner once hailed as the next Arkle, this is probably his last chance to make that sort of racing history. Not sure his best trip has ever been established. Could get round in top 10 if all goes well but can’t see him troubling the judge.
15
Escaria Ten
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
AP Heskin
Pulled up in the Irish National last year having never got into the race but comes into the National a bit fresher and on the back of a good second to Any Second Now with blinkers on first time. They seemed to make a positive difference.
16
Good Boy Bobby
Trainer
Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey
Daryl Jacob
Ignore his last run at Kempton which would not have suited him. Consistent sort with some smart form over three miles this season. He used to be a bit keen and was, essentially, a two and a half miler so question mark over trip.
17
Lord Du Mesnil
Trainer
Richard Hobson
Jockey
Kielan Woods
Mudlark who found it all happening far too quick for him in last year’s race before he was pulled up. Tailed off before pulled up in Becher Chase. You’d need to be an optimist seeing him winning this year.
18
Coko Beach
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
Sean Flanagan
A grey. Seventh in last year’s Irish National. Best form seems to be mid-winter on heavy ground. Probably not the pick of Elliott’s half dozen or so runners unless Noah anchors the Ark in the Mersey.
19
De Rasher Counter
Trainer
Emma Lavelle
Jockey
Adam Wedge
Moment of glory came in 2019 Ladbrokes Trophy but now back down to that rating after a year out. Nice comeback run at Newbury. Could be flying under the radar at a big price.
20
Kildisart
Trainer
Ben Pauling
Jockey
James Bowen
Useful staying chaser who has won over the Mildmay course at Aintree and it is amazing how often that liking for the place translates to National course. Had a year off, ran well in his prep over too short a trip, in good form according to trainer and gives Daryl Jacob a headache as he is one of three he has to choose from.
21
Discorama
Trainer
Paul Nolan
Jockey
Brian Cooper
Ran creditably in seventh last year and looks like he has been trained with this race in mind. Goes well fresh so two months since last run no problem. Can go closer than last year but hard to see him winning.
22
Top Ville Ben
Trainer
Philip Kirby
Jockey
Tommy Dowson
Useful chaser on his day. Fell in the Becher Chase in December on his first visit. His last two starts over hurdles have proved ability still there but whether the confidence will be is another matter.
23
Enjoy D’allen
Trainer
Ciaran Murphy
Jockey
Connor Orr
Trained for the race since finishing third in last year’s Irish National. Possibly owes his price to the fact that he has been bought by McManus since his last run. Genuine stayer but has worn most different varieties of headgear to help him concentrate. Murphy is a young trainer going places.
24
Anibale Fly
Trainer
AJ Martin
Jockey
tbc
This will be his fourth attempt at the National. He has been fourth, fifth and pulled up last year after dropping himself out very early. Now 12 looks like his best chances have come and gone.
25
Dingo Dollar
Trainer
Sandy Thomson
Jockey
Ryan Mania
Another Scottish runner. Dropped himself out pretty quickly when he ran in the Grand Sefton over the fences a year and a half ago but a good second in last year’s Scottish National which offers a glimmer of hope.
26
Freewheelin Dylan
Trainer
Dermot McLoughlin
Jockey
Ricky Doyle
Pretty much made all the running in last year’s Irish National to cause a 150-1 upset. Winners of that race often do well in the National but that came from nowhere and nothing since to suggest he threatens to it again at Aintree.
27
Class Conti
Trainer
Willie Mullins
Jockey
Sam Twiston-Davies
Has not won for three years and no recent form to suggest that is going to change at Aintree.
28
Noble Yeats
Trainer
Emmet Mullins
Jockey
Sam Waley-Cohen
On the young side aged seven and might lak a bit of experience in big fields but shrewd trainer and his amateur jockey, Sam Waley-Cohen, has a better record at Aintree than most professionals. Don’t be surprised if he outruns his odds.
29
Mighty Thunder
Trainer
Lucinda Russell
Jockey
Derek Fox
One for Scotland. Won last year’s Scottish National which has been a good guide in the past. Pulled up on his last two starts does not suggest he is in great form at the present and will add another National to the one his trainer won with One For Arthur.
30
Cloth Cap
Trainer
Jonjo O’Neill
Jockey
Tom Scudamore
Sent off favourite last year after winning Ladbroke Trophy but petrol cut very quickly four out. Had a wind op after that but does not come into the race in anything like the same form as a year ago. Inclined to think his best shot came and went a year ago.
31
Snow Leopardess
Trainer
Charlie Longsdon
Jockey
Aidan Coleman
A grey, almost white mare who is already a mum bidding to end 71 year barren spell in the race for her sex. She won over the fences in December and jumps for fun. A drop of rain would help. Only question mark is the trip.
32
Agusta Gold
Trainer
Willie Mullins
Jockey
Danny Mullins
Finished in the middle of the pack in the Irish National. No obvious reason why he should do much better here. Other mullins runners make more appeal.
33
Phoenix Way
Trainer
Harry Fry
Jockey
Kevin Brogan
Was having a reasonable season but had a heavy fall last time and that is probably not the best preparation for Aintree. Jury is also out on whether he would get the trip.
34
Deise Aba
Trainer
Philip Hobbs
Jockey
Tom O’Brien
Apart from when second in the London National has pulled up on every attempt at a marathon trip notably in Welsh National twice. Can’t totally blame that on heavy ground because he has won in it before but maybe happier on decent ground.
35
Blaklion
Trainer
Dan Skelton
Jockey
Harry Skelton
Spared British blushes last year when sixth – the only horse trained this side of the Irish Sea to finish in top 11. Loves the place. Was fourth in 2017 but now 13 and in bus pass territory so not going to finish any closer.
36
Poker Party
Trainer
Henry de Bromhead
Jockey
Robbie Power
Former Kerry National winner back from an issue. Pulled up in the cross-country when ground went against him but de Bromhead’s Balco Des Flos failed to complete that last year and went on to finish second in the National so he will be hoping for a deja-vu.
37
Death Duty
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
Jordan Gainford
Grade One winning hurdler and chaser though that seems a long time ago now. Relished three and a half miles in the mud in February and ran ok at Cheltenham. If Aintree sparks something and it rains the old ability might still be lurking in there somewhere.
38
Domaine De L’Isle
Trainer
Sean Curran
Jockey
Harry Bannister
Best form was probably a couple of years ago but a wind operation helped him regain winning thread at the end of last season. Best form on heavy ground. Never got into Eider Chase last start but jumped round course in December.
39
Eclair Surf
Trainer
Emma Lavelle
Jockey
Tom Bellamy
Really got his act together and developed into a good staying chaser lately winning Warwick and second in Eider Chase with a big weight. Jumping used to be a problem and still a bit inclined to take one by the roots.
40
Fortescue
Trainer
Henry Daly
Jockey
Hugh Nugent
Pick of the lightweights. Owner-bred and ridden by his grandson, Hugh Nugent. Comes in on the back of a win, good jumper, stays longer than the mother-in-law and will only start warming up after three miles.
41
Commodore
Trainer
Venetia Williams
Jockey
tbc
Runs best fresh and benefitted from a second wind operation to runaway with a three and a quarter mile handicap at Cheltenham in December. First reserve and needs one to drop out before Friday.
42
School Boy Hours
Trainer
Noel Meade
Jockey
tbc
Won a good handicap chase at leopardstown over Christmas but stumbled and nearly fell before being pulled up in Kim Muir at Cheltenham. Second reserve and struggling to make the cut.
43
Romain De Senam
Trainer
David Pipe
Jockey
tbc
Struggling to make the cut. Pulled up in the Midlands National on his first start in over a year. Not ideal prep.
44
Roi Mage
Trainer
Patrick Griffin
Jockey
tbc
Won last time but unlikely to make cut.
