The 2022 Grand National is just around the corner and there’s no better way to attack the puzzle, that is the 40-runner Grand National field, than a star rating.
Can Rachel Blackmore and Minella Times retain their crown or will the pair of Jack Kennedy and Delta work, who let’s not forget crashed the Cheltenham Festival farewell party for Tiger Roll, take the spoils?
The 2022 Grand National – Star Rating
Minella Times *** – Rachel Blackmore
Last year’s winning combo come into this year in much worse shape than last year. Never seeming to land a telling blow in either starts this season, falling heavily and then being pulled up at the Dublin Racing Festival – a race in which he finished 2nd in last year.
Needs to find his best form to play a hand off this new mark.
Delta Work ***** – Jack Kennedy
A five-time winner over fences and the also the only winning horse to ever get booed at a Cheltenham Festival after beating Tiger Roll, Delta Work comes here on the top of his game.
For a horse who struggles with his jumping over regulation fences, he absolutely relished the test of the Cross-Country course at Cheltenham. With that, these new Grand National fences should not hold any problems for a horse with that touch of class that could see him become the third horse to win the Cross-Country at the Cheltenham Festival and then go onto win the Grand National for trainer Gordon Elliott.
Easysland ** – Jonjo O Neill
Once had the mighty Tiger Roll well behind him when taking the 2020 Cross-Country chase when trained by David Cottin, but has shown nothing close to that form recently has since been moved to Jonjo O Neill.
Would need a leap of faith to trust that the fire still burns in a field with so much strength and depth.
Any Second Now **** – M.P Walsh
So unlucky not to win the 2021 Grand National as he was stopped in his tracks by a faller at the 12th and dropped to the rear as a consequence, but still managed to finish 3rd.
Unlike the winner, Any Second Now comes in here off the back of a very good win in the Bobby Joe Chase at Fairyhouse where he stayed on stoutly to beat Escaria Ten. This year, with more luck in running, I can see Any Second Now going very close again this year.
Run Wild Fred *** – Davy Russell
Finished 2nd in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival but will be more suited to the bigger field here.
2nd in the Irish National last season, this Gordon Elliott runner will be suited by the bigger field rather than the small field he faced in at the Cheltenham Festival where he made most of the running. Even with that though, you would think he is weighted to the hilt and will struggle to win such a race as this off his current mark.
Lostintranslation * – Harry Cobden
Once a very class horse when seen finishing 3rd in the 2020 Gold Cup behind Al Boum Photo. The class is gone and would take a huge turn around to for him to play a part in the finish here.
Brahma Bull * – TBC
One of the lesser lights in the W.P Mullins stable and one of the lesser lights in this field. Tends to make a few mistakes during his races. Avoid at all costs.
Battleoverdoyen * – Kevin Sexton
A horse just making up the numbers here. Never stood out like a trip like this would be what he needs and is coming in here on the back of a crunching fall. Avoid.
Burrows Saint ** – TBC
The winner of the 2019 Irish Grand National, but yet seems to find this trip just beyond him when he went from looking like he was going to play a big part in the finish, to finishing a well held 4th. I cannot see him going 3 places better this year, so at best he is a place bet.
Mount Ida * – Denis O’Regan
Say a prayer for Denis O’Regan here as he approaches the Cannel Turn with Mount Ida. Jumping out to their right has become her party trick and for her next trick she will be making her jockey disappear.
Longhouse Poet **** -TBC
The winner of the Thyestes Chase at Gowran park, Longhouse Poet comes in here as one of most interesting runners. Trainer Martin Brassil has history in this as he took it with Numbersixvalverde in 2006. Very much one to keep on your side, especially if the rain arrives.
Fiddlerontheroof *** – Brendan Powell
A module of consistence and arguably in the form of his life, winning a Listed Chase at Carlisle before going on to finish 2nd in the Ladbrokes Trophy and 2nd in a very competitive Handicap at Ascot where he lost his shoe. Can play a part but there is likely to be a few better handicapped here.
Two For Gold **– David Bass
A law onto himself at some stages on a race but has been in particularly good form of late. Downfall here is that he didn’t seem to enjoy his last visit here when unseating David Bass at the Canal Turn when making no impression in the Topham Chase. Best to look elsewhere.
Santini ** – TBC
A horse the promised so much in his early days – 2nd in an RSA Chase and a Cheltenham Gold Cup, Santini now seems a shadow of his former self. If this was the Santini of 2020 then it would be a different story, but the fire and the aptly named SLOWtini makes no appeal for a win but can for sure nick a place.
Samcro * – Sean Bowen
Another who is a far cry of his past glory. I will keep this short and sweet – move on.
Farclas *** – Jody McGarvey
A very intriguing runner here. 5th in this last year when only 7 but he is one I think will come on again this year. Put in a solid performance behind Run Wild Fred back in November and hasn’t been seen since, indicating that this has been the plan all along. Foolish to rule out a big run.
Escaria Ten **** – A P Heskin
Last seen when touched off by Any Second Now in the Bobby Jo Chase at Fairyhouse and there shouldn’t be much separating the pair again this weekend. Promised to be suited to this kind of trip and there shouldn’t be any problem with adapting to the Grand National fences, so he is one that could be right there at the finish.
Good Boy Bobby ** – Daryl Jacob
Relished the step up in trip when 2nd in the Rehearsal Chase and then went one better when grinding it out from the front in the Rowland Meyrick. Won’t get his own way around here and seem to lack that bit of class you need these days to win the Grand National. Would be a surprise winner.
Lord Du Mesnil * – Kielan Woods
Out of his depth – move on.
Coko Beach ** – Sean Flanagan
Seems to find trips over 3m beyond him and this was on show when he looked like he was going to play a significant role in the Hollywoodbets Grand National Trial but went from disputing the lead over 3 out to finishing 7 ½ lengths off the winner Death Duty. Would be a huge shock if he suddenly stayed 4+miles.
De Rasher Counter ** – TBC
A former winner of the Ladbrokes Trophy but has only seen once since October 11th of 2021. His comeback run wasn’t as bad as the result tells, but still will need to be at his absolute best to play a part in the finish here. If the talent is still there, he could outrun his odds.
Caribean Boy * – Nico de Boinville
Lacks the class to be worrying the main players here. Best to look elsewhere.
Court Maid *** – TBC
Having her first run for Henry de Bromhead this week and is one that you would have to have a lot of faith in as she has the tendency to leave her mark in a fence or two, but the National fences have a strange habit of turning average jumpers of normal fences to decent jumpers. If fully ready then could nick a place.
Kildisart *** – James Bowen
An interesting runner for Nicky Henderson. Had his first run for 462 days back in March when 4th of 10 behind Paint The Dreams. Looks one that would like a marathon trip as he sometimes looked very one paced. Interesting.
Discorama ** – TBC
A three-time placed horse at the Cheltenham Festival and has yet to make his way back into the winners’ enclosure since November of 2018 and very hard to see that changing here.
Top Ville Ben * – TBC
Such a likeable horse, but out of his depth here.
Enjoy D’Allen **** – TBC
3rd in last season’s Irish National and a good third at Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival. Arguable that the step up in trip could well bring out more from this dependable chaser and could cause a surprise.
Anibale Fly *** – TBC
Twice placed in Cheltenham Gold Cups and the same in the two Tiger Roll wins. His waiting tactics could do with being changed slightly and you can’t rule out a big run from this former very classy horse.
Dingo Doller ** – Ryan Mania
2nd in the 2021 Scottish National so you know you have a horse that will stay, but his form has been very patchy since. So with that, he is one that you can not be overly confident in.
Freewheelin Dylan – TBC
Caused a huge shock when taking last year’s Irish National at 150/1. Not to be underestimated here as his running style will be well suited to a race like this, and if getting into a good rhythm it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that he could cause a huge shock again.
Class Conti * – Sam Twiston-Davies
Easily looked over.
Noble Yates ** – Mr S Waley-Cohen
Will give his Gold Cup winning jockey a good spin around here, but weather his has what it takes its up for debate.
Mighty Thunder * – Dereck Fox
Pulled up on his last two starts it will be very hard to part with you cash for this Northen raider.
Cloth Cap ** – TBC
Went off 11/2F for this last season only to be pulled up 3 out when well beaten. This season’s form would not fill you with any conditions and I think his time has passed.
Snow Leopardess ***** – Aiden Coleman
Huge danger to all and what a story it would be if she was to win. Has been in the form of her life this season with three wins and one of them coming over these fences. Warmed up for this with a 12L demolition job of Monmella at Exeter. Massive chance.
Augusta Gold * – TBC
Presented with an easy opportunity last time out but she still couldn’t get the job done. Would have a small chance on her for leading up to her going off 6/1 for last season’s Irish National, but she is easy to pass over this time around.
Phoenix Way *** – TBC
Did well to win at Ascot in January but now comes in here on the back of a bad fall. If you forgive him that this lightly races 9yo could well sneak a place at a huge price.
Deise Aba *** – Tom O’Brien
Will be right at home over this trip, but suspicion is that he saves his best for Sandown. He is unexposed over these kinds of trips and would not rule out a big run.
Blacklion ** – Harry Skelton
Finished 6th in this last season and the best of the British runners. Arguably in better form this season with two good wins. Back on the same mark but he does not seem to truly get this trip, Minor role in store again this year.
Poker Party * – TBC
A former Kerry National winner but is in terrible form this season. Easily passed over.
Death Duty *** (Reserve #1)
Former Grade 1 winner as a novice chaser and has been hard to keep sound over the years. Came back to form with a bang in the Hollywoodbets Grand National Trial in February winning with a bit in hand. Still well treated on his old form and if getting a run could well play a part in the finish.
Domaine De L’Isle ** (Reserve #2)
Hard to make a case for him but was a staying on 4th behind Snow Leopardess in the Beacher but would need a lot to go right for him to get in the money.
Eclair Surf **** (Reserve #3)
Has been turned inside out since stepping up to marathon tips when running away with the Classic Chase at Warrick and only best in the Eider Chase by the progressive Win My Wings who went onto bolt up in the Scottish National. Would be very interesting if getting in.
Fortescue ** (Reserve #4)
Finished 3rd in the Peter Marsh Chase and went on to win at Ascot last time. Even if he gets in, he needs to come on a ton to play a hand here.
2022 Grand National – Predicted Top 6
1. Delta Work
2. Any Second Now
3. Snow Leopardess
4. Longhouse Poet
5. Minella Times
6. Deise Aba (Death Duty if he gets in)
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