Delta to Fly Home and Give Elliott his Fourth Win in Race
The 2023 Randox Grand National Handicap Chase run over 30 fences and 4m 2 1/2F. It’s a race that is full of stories and magical moments and was won last year by 50/1 winner Noble Yeats who’s back to defend his title. Here’s my horse-by-horse guide to the world’s greatest horse race. May all horses and jockeys come home in one piece.
ANY SECOND NOW
Trainer: T M Walsh
Jockey: Mark Walsh
Has been placed in the last two renewals, 3rd in 2021 and runner up last year to Noble Yeats. Prepped, like last year, by winning the Webster Cup at Navan over 2m 4F in March. A pound higher than last year so is 18lb better off for 2 1/4L with last year’s winner Noble Yeats. Carries a big weight but looks sure to be thereabouts for JP McManus.
NOBLE YEATS
Trainer: Emmet Mullins
Jockey: Sean Bowen
Ran out a 50/1 winner of this race last year. Has taken a further step forward since over park fences winning at Wexford and here in the Many Clouds Chase. Not disgraced when 4th in the Cheltenham Gold Cup beaten 15L by Galopin Des Champs last time. Plenty going for him in his attempt to back up last season’s win although is now 19lb higher in the weights.
GALVIN
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Davy Russell
Touch of class about him and he has some decent wins on his CV. Took well to the Cross Country fences at Cheltenham last time when getting the worst of the battle with stable mate Delta Work going down by 2 1/2L. Extra 6F to travel here but appeals as an out-and-out stayer.
FURY ROAD
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jnr.
Placed in two grade one chases in Ireland this season prior to a credible 6th in the Ryanair under Davy Russell. Has yet to race beyond three miles and is another who has the stamina to prove. One of four Gigginstown Stud entries here and has a touch of class about him.
THE BIG DOG
Trainer: Peter Fahey
Jockey: Aidan Coleman
Irish raider who took his form up a notch when winning the Munster National at Limerick and Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan at the backend of last year. Was still in there battling when falling two out in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown at the Dublin Racing Festival won by Galopin Des Champs and with his handicap mark unmoved is an interesting outsider.
CAPODANNO
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Danny Mullins
Lightly raced over fences having only raced six times. Was a decent novice chaser last season winning the big grade one 3M novice chase at the Punchestown Festival in April. Only seen the once since when 3rd of 4 in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park in February and untried beyond three miles. One of five runners in the race owned by the legendary owner/punter J P McManus.
DELTA WORK
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Keith Donoghue
Former smart chaser who mostly plies his trade in the Cross Country races at Cheltenham nowadays. Won the last two renewals of the Cross Country race at the Cheltenham Festival over 3M 6F. Was third in this race last season ( beaten 22L by Noble Yeats) and is a pound lower now so twenty pounds better off with the winner. Versatile and can play a hand in the finish.
SAM BROWN
Trainer: Anthony Honeyball
Jockey: Jonathan Burke
Ran out a 15L winner of a handicap chase at the meeting last year over the Mildmay fences but is yet to sparkle this season including when reverting to hurdles last time at Uttoxeter. Needs soft ground to be seen at his best and stamina to prove himself (though does shape like he will stay long distances). Has had a wind operation since last seen.
LIFETIME AMBITION
Trainer: Jessie Harrington
Jockey: Sean O’Keeffe
Smart second season chaser who has yet to race beyond three miles. Was 4th in the Grand Sefton last November over these fences and has not been totally disgraced in four starts since including when reverting to hurdles at Thurles last time when 3rd of 5 to Summerville Boy.
CAREFULLY SELECTED
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Michael O’Sullivan
Smart novice chaser back in season 2019/2020 and following a lengthy absence of over a thousand days bounced back with a win in the Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park in January off of a mark of 147. Slightly disappointing when only 4th in the Bobbyjo Chase last month at Fairyhouse. Has the stamina to prove.
COKO BEACH
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Harry Cobden
50/1 chance when 8th (beaten 66L) in last year’s renewal. Jumped well when winning Punchestown’s Grand National Trial in February by 5 1/2L but has been re-assessed and will have to race off of a 3lb higher mark than last year. Bidding to become the fourth grey to win this famous race and the first since Neptune Collonges won in 2012.
LONGHOUSE POET
Trainer: Martin Brassil
Jockey: J J Slevin
A winner over hurdles at Limerick and fences at Down Royal this season. Ran in last year’s race finishing 6th having disputed the lead two from home eventually coming home some 34L behind the winner Noble Yeats. May have done too much early on then and can run better. Trainer won this race back in 2006 with Numbertenvalverde.
GAILLARD DU MESNIL
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend
A possibly fortunate winner of the 3M 6F NH Chase at Cheltenham in March with Mahler Mission falling two out when in command. Goes unpenalised for that win and with Paul Townend picking him from the Willie Mullins quintet looks to hold a good chance. He looks to be all about stamina.
DARASSO
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
Jockey: L P Dempsey
Another J P McManus-owned contender. Has mixed chasing with hurdling this season winning over the bigger obstacles at Thurles last December. Yet to race beyond three miles so has a definite question mark over his ability to stay this far and his owner appears to have better claims with others here.
LE MILOS
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton
Appears to have improved for a stable switch to Dan Skelton. Winning at Bangor and the valuable Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. Traded at 1.01 when coasting home at Kelso in the listed Premier Chase over just short of 3M only to be caught on the run-in by Empire Steel. Stamina could be an issue if the way he stopped there is anything to go by.
ESCARIA TEN
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: A P Heskin
Went off 25/1 for the race last season only to weaken quickly two from home eventually finishing 9th and beaten by some 75L. Shown little since including when pulling up in Plate Handicap at Cheltenham Festival in March. Hard to fancy much especially the way he weakened last year.
THE BIG BREAKAWAY
Trainer: Joe Tizzard
Jockey: Brendan Powell
Has run well on his first two starts this season especially when a 1 1/4L runner-up in the Coral Welsh National last December. Trip looks likely to suit so could run well at a price although was very disappointing last time out pulling up in the Ultima Handicap at Cheltenham. Wears first-time blinkers today.
CAPE GENTLEMAN
Trainer: John Joseph Hanlon
Jockey: Jody McGarvey
Lightly raced Irish chaser who’s only run the eight times over fences. Joined current trainer from Emmet Mullins in December 2022 and only run twice since when not showing that much in a handicap hurdle and conditions chase. Yet to race beyond three miles and unlikely to be troubling the judge.
ROI MAGE
Trainer: Patrick Griffin
Jockey: Felix De Giles
Eleven-year-old Irish chaser who’s won 9 of his 51 career starts. Came back to form at Down Royal last time when 1 1/4L runner-up to Longhouse Poet. Appears to stay well but as an outsider at his advancing age of eleven years of age is hard to see him playing a part in the finish.
DIOL KER
Trainer: Noel Meade
Jockey: Kieren Buckley
Owned by Gigginstown Stud this 9-year-old Irish chaser should stay well. Best recent effort came when runner-up in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, only going down by the shortest of heads. Soundly beaten since in the Punchestown Grand National Trial but will be staying on when others have cried enough.
A WAVE OF THE SEA
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
Jockey: Shane Fitzgerald
Yet to race beyond three miles and stamina could be a big issue here. More hit than miss this season and was last seen when a 50/1 shot and pulling up at Cheltenham in the two-mile Grand Annual. Impossible to fancy so look elsewhere for the winner.
MINELLA TRUMP
Trainer: Donald McCain
Jockey: Theo Gillard
Prolific winner in Northern chases winning 8 of his 12 starts over the larger obstacles at up to three miles. Teed up for this with a spin over hurdles at Bangor three weeks ago. At the right end of the weights but has the stamina to prove having never raced beyond 3M. Has beaten some decent chasers in his run of wins and is trained by Red Rum’s trainer Ginger McCain’s son Donald who took this himself with Ballabriggs in 2011.
VANILLIER
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Jockey: Sean Flanagan
A second-season novice who’s kept good company this season and looked back to his very best when chasing home the 12lb superior Kemboy in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February giving that one 8lb. The handicapper appears to have ignored that run and on his best form holds decent each-way claims.
VELVET ELVIS
Trainer: Thomas Gibney
Jockey: Darragh O’Keefee
Relatively lightly raced over fences having taken his form to a new level on his last two starts, winning over 3M at Fairyhouse and running last year’s runner-up Any Second Now to 7L at Navan recently. Hard to believe he can turn the tables with that one mind but should stay ok (6th in last season’s Irish National).
AIN’T THAT A SHAME
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Yet to race beyond three miles in his ten-race career though appears to stay that trip well as was runner-up in the Munster National at Limerick last October. Dropped in trip when running out a comfortable winner over 2M 4F at Gowran Park recently and arrives here in fine form. Only lightly raced and may have further improvement to come for the trainer and jockey combo that won the race in 2021.
CORACH RAMBLER
Trainer: Lucinda Russell
Jockey: Derek Fox
Current favourite following his winning defence of the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Unpenalised here so is 10lb ahead of his handicap mark and if staying looks sure to be thereabouts. Ran 4th beaten 19L in last season’s Classic Chase over 3m 5F which is the furthest he’s tried. A major player for his Scottish handler who took this in 2017 with One For Arthur.
ENJOY D’ALLEN
Trainer: CIaran Murphy
Jockey: Simon Torrens
Another J P McManus-owned, Irish-trained runner. Only made it as far as the first when unseating his rider in last year’s race when a 20/1 chance. Shown precious little in three chases and two hurdle contests since and is hard to fancy that much.
MR INCREDIBLE
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Brian Hayes
A lightly raced seven-year-old who will be having only his tenth career start. Placed in two valuable handicap chases this season including when third in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last time. This longer trip may suit though and is a very quirky type who, if taking to the unique fences, could outrun his odds.
MISTER COFFEY
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Nico De Boinville
His esteemed trainer has yet to win a National of any sort but has each-way claims here with his 8-year-old who was a good second in a handicap at Uttoxeter in February over 3M. Wasn’t disgraced when third in NH Chase at Cheltenham over 6F further and should stay this marathon trip very well.
CLOUDY GLEN
Trainer: Venetia Williams
Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
Races in the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings who’s won this prestigious contest a record three times. Winner of the 2021 Ladbroke Trophy at Newbury but lightly raced since and hard to fancy on his latest effort when pulling up in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham won by Corach Rambler.
HILL SIXTEEN
Trainer: Sandy Thomson
Jockey: Ryan Mania
Trained in Scotland. Last seen when running seventh over these fences to rival Ashtown Lad back in December beaten 14L. Had run better in the same race the previous year when going down by a nose and with that track experience is capable of running alright if seeing out the longer trip. Sports first-time cheek pieces today.
GABBY CROSS
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Jockey: Peter Carberry
One of two Henry De Bromhead trained runners with this one owned by R S Brookhouse. A winner at the Galway Festival last July, he’s kept valuable handicap company this season with no success. Yet to race beyond three miles so has to prove his stamina here.
RECITE A PRAYER
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Jack Foley
Has experience with these unique fences when running twelfth in the Becher Chase here in December beaten a long way at 20/1 also beaten far in the valuable Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and despite connections this eight-year-old is impossible to fancy.
EVA’S OSKAR
Trainer: Tim Vaughan
Jockey: Alan Johns
An out-and-out stayer who won at Cheltenham last December over 3 1/4M. Ran a credible 20L 4th in Eider Chase last time over 4M 1 1/2 F. Trained in Wales and a big outsider here though will be plugging on when others have had enough.
OUR POWER
Trainer: Sam Thomas
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
6lb well in here having no penalty for his latest win which came at Kempton in February. A winner of 4 of his 8 chases and is a progressive 8-year-old in good hands who could be a very lively outsider although another who has his stamina to prove (yet to race beyond 3M).
DUNBOYNE
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Jack Tudor
Another of the Elliott battalion who steps up to a marathon trip for the first time here. Arrives in decent enough form having been placed in valuable 3M 1F handicaps at Gowran Park and Cheltenham. Best form on soft ground so further rain would be a big help. Very unlikely to give Elliott his third National win though.
FRANCKY DU BERLAIS
Trainer: Peter Bowen
Jockey: Ben Jones
6 wins from 26 starts over fences for this ten-year-old trained in Wales. Last won at Uttoxeter a year ago. Not shown much this season and refused last in Cheltenham’s Cross Country race at the Festival when a well-beaten-off third. Hard to fancy this long shot.
FORTESCUE
Trainer: Henry Daly
Jockey: Hugh Nugent
A winner of 6 of his 18 chases and appears to stay this trip. Best run this year when 4th in Becher Chase to Ashtown Lad last December. Only 28/1 last year in this race when unseating his rider four from home when looking well beaten. A long shot who is hard to visualise winning.
BACK ON THE LASH
Trainer: Martin Keighley
Jockey: Adam Wedge
Has been running predominately over the Cheltenham Cross Country fences for the past two years winning twice in handicap company over 3M 6F. Pulled up in the latest renewal of that race in March where his trainer stated his horse hated the soft ground. Needs the rain to stay away.
BORN BY THE SEA
Trainer: Paul John Gilligan
Jockey: Philip Enright
Just 2 wins from 19 starts over fences in his career and this Irish-trained 9-year-old also has the stamina to prove. Soundly beaten all four starts this season and is impossible to give any chance too.
The 2023 Randox Grand National Handicap Chase Tips
Corach Rambler can race off of the same mark that he won the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham and is the right favourite as he is 10lb well in here although he does still have to prove his stamina (ran 4th beaten 20L in the 3M 5F Classic Chase last season which is the furthest he’s ever run over). Placed in the last two Grand Nationals Any Second Now looks sure to be thereabouts although will have to shoulder top weight.
Last year’s winner Noble Yeats ran well in the Gold Cup and is another possibility although he is some 19lb higher this year and I would prefer the Cheltenham Cross Country winner Delta Work who ran third last year beaten 22L and is now 20lb better off with Noble Yeats. Willie Mullins’ second-season novice Gaillard Du Mesnil had a tough race in winning the NH Chase at Cheltenham possibly fortuitously but can’t be ruled out.
My shortlist comprises of the aforementioned Delta Work, Vanillier who ran well behind Kemboy in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last time and looks well treated and The Big Dog. The latter is a very interesting runner trained in Ireland by Peter Fahey. He’s looked like an improved performer this season winning valuable staying chases at Limerick and Navan prior to a credible third in the Welsh Grand National. He was actually mixing it with the Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup last time when falling two out when bang in contention.
He surely wouldn’t have troubled the winner that day but could easily have hit the frame which would have been a hell of an effort. His trainer has reported since that he’s fine after the fall and they have been doing extensive schooling with him. To be fair he’s usually a sound jumper and had never fallen before in his career under rules. His best form appears to be on soft ground so the more juice in the ground the better. An out-and-out stayer who’s in top form he’s worth backing along with Delta Work and Vanillier.
DELTA WORK 1 point each way @ 8/1 with Bet365 1/5th 123456
THE BIG DOG 1 point each way @ 25/1 with Bet365 1/5th 123456
VANILLIER 1 point each way @ 18/1 with BetVictor 1/5th 23456
All odds are accurate at the time of writing.
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