The expert in Timeform and experienced at Aintree shares his top three picks for the 2024 Randox Grand National.
When the weights were announced in February, Mahler Mission stood out as the horse that met all my criteria. I'm staying confident despite others' assertions.
An impressive leaper who usually performs admirably, he seems to possess the speed and stamina necessary to excel at Aintree, and his favourable handicap position is an added advantage.
In the past seven races, there have been two winners who were relatively new to the sport. This highlights the evolution of the Grand National since its iconic obstacles were updated for safety in 2013.
It seems that Meetingofthewaters is the sole newcomer in the field this time, and he stands out as the lone runner with a Timeform "p" rating. One For Arthur emerged as the sole "p" contender in the competition when he secured victory in 2017, while his stable companion Corach Rambler stood out as one of merely two participants in the previous edition.
Meetingofthewaters, a skilled competitor, demonstrated his expertise by securing victories in various types of races for his previous owners. His exceptional performance continued as he triumphed in the highly competitive Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown in December, marking his fourth successful chase run.
It would be beneficial for Mahler Mission and Meetingofthewaters to have long-lasting and successful careers. However, the future looks uncertain for Delta Work, the eleven-year-old who may soon be stepping away from the spotlight.