Grand National Tips Following Latest Declaration Stage
The Grand National entries were reduced to 92 runners following the latest declaration stage. There were some notable scratchings for the race, none more so than two-time winner Tiger Roll.
After a careful look at the weights for the 4m2½f contest, here are two horses who have an excellent chance of adding their name to the Grand National roll of honour.
Mount Ida (20/1)
Irish chaser Mount Ida is one of a strong number of horses from Gordon Elliott’s yard who is set to travel across to Liverpool for the Grand National this year. She has been in excellent form this season, with victories coming at Clonmel and Fairyhouse.
The eight-year-old is one of the popular tips for Cheltenham for the Liberthine Mares’ Chase on day four. She is the 5/2 joint-favourite for the newest race on the schedule at the Cheltenham Festival.
Mares don’t have a record in the Grand National. It has been 71 years since a mare was successful in this race. Mount Ida’s latest success in the Grade Three John & Chich Fowler Memorial EBF Mares Chase proves she has a lot of class about her.
Last season’s Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup winner will be taking a big step up in distance at Aintree. However, Elliott has won the race three times, so he knows what type of horse is needed for the contest. He clearly has a lot of confidence in his mare, who can be backed at 20/1 for the marathon affair.
Fiddlerontheroof (25/1)
Colin Tizzard’s Fiddlerontheroof was one of the leading novice chasers of his age group last season. He finished second in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Festival, while he was third in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase at the Grand National Meeting.
The eight-year-old has performed well this season outside of novice company. He made a winning return to action in a Listed contest at Carlisle (2m4f) back in October, scoring by just under two lengths.
The horse showed he has great stamina when he stayed on strongly at Newbury in a Grade Three contest on his second appearance of the campaign. He finished less than a length behind Cloudy Glen in one of the most prestigious prizes of the season in jumps racing.
Tizzard’s runner’s latest appearance came in the Swinley Chase at Ascot. Once again, he was in contention at the business end of the race. The talented chaser came home second behind Fortescue.
With Elegant Escape now out of the Grand National, Fiddlerontheroof is the yard’s leading hope this year. The Tizzard team have come into form at exactly the right time of the season, which could indicate they are set for a strong Cheltenham Festival and Grand National Meeting.
Fiddlerontheroof has been handed a fair allocation of 10st 12lb. He will be receiving weight from many of his main rivals in the race. At 25/1, he represents good value in the betting for this year’s famous steeplechase.
The 2022 Grand National takes place on the 9th April, and once again it will feature in the late afternoon at 17:15.
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