Punters will be hoping that the Aintree Grand National is a lot easier to solve than the Irish equivalent after Thunder And Roses took the Easter Monday feature at Fairyhouse at 20-1. He was followed home by Rule The World (20-1), Sizing Coal (40-1) and Band Of Blood (50-1). Tony McCoy finished sixth on Cantlow on his final ride in the race.
Thunder And Roses was an emotional success for Sandra Hughes who only took over the stables of her late father Dessie in November. He races in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud who had the first three jumping the last with only Sizing Coal’s late run preventing a 1,2,3. Katie Walsh has not ridden the horse previously and would not have taken much encouragement from his last run at Cheltenham where he unseated Jonny King.
Walsh came close to winning the Grand National on Seabass in 2012 when finishing third to Neptune Collonges but now faces an anxious wait to see if she has a ride this year. She has been provisionally booked to ride Broadway Buffalo for David Pipe but the gelding still needs five more horses to drop out. He is one of three David Pipe entries among the 65 left in with only Soll guaranteed a run. Cheltenham winner The Package is just one place above Broadway Buffalo and both could be re-routed to the Topham Chase if they do not make the cut.
It seems likely that Nina Carberry will be the only female rider in the race this year when she partners First Lieutenant for Mouse Morris. The stable will be full of hope after saddling the runner-up and the fourth on Monday, although naturally disappointed that neither could cling on for the victory. First Lieutenant is a high class performer and he will carry the hopes of a famous National double for Gigginstown in the National.
Sandra Hughes is another left anxiously waiting for the final cut with her entry, Raz De Maree. He needs just three runners to come out in order to sneak into the starting line up on Saturday. First Lieutenant is a top price 33-1 with Paddy Power while Broadway Buffalo is a general 50-1 chance. Most firms are now offering non-runner – no bet terms on the race. For the best each-way value, BetVictor are also paying out on the first six home at Aintree!
