The Neighsayers - Grand National Preview 2023
The 2023 Grand National Preview
Marred by woke, bigoted pressure groups, the build-up for this year’s Aintree festival has been anything but distorted, with the race being overshadowed by prejudice outsiders who clearly don’t understand the sport of Horse Racing. If racing was to be stopped, what would happen to the 10's of thousands of thoroughbred horses around the world? Left in a field, with much worse living circumstances they currently have. The race is arguably the centrepiece of the UK National Hunt calendar, a race what every NH owner/trainer dreams of winning, and a rare moment in the year where every household in the country stops to tune into our great sport.
The Grand National is a unique test of the equine racehorse and horseman, 30 flights of fences over a stamina ladened 4m 2f, it takes a gritty partnership in order to be a Grand National Winner. We will be looking in depth at 4 horses what The Neighsayers think will be best suited to the grand national, with justification on each selection.
Ain’t That A Shame (20/1 Bet365 , 16/1 William Hill , 14/1 General)
Still very unexposed as a stayer and very lightly raced for a 9-year-old. He always seems to be the bridesmaid, finding one to good. I think the step up in trip could bring out further improvement as he is often doing his best work at the finish, which was evident at Limerick in the Munster National back in October but succumbing to mistakes at the final two flights. He picked up again but didn’t have the momentum of the winner. His staying ability was there to be seen again in the Paddy Power Chase at Christmas, where again he was a bit suspect and wandered when he got to the front, bit picked up again once headed.
He's been freshened up since then and had a comeback run
since the weights were published, where he made all in beginners chase to win
easily by 6 lengths. That should see him primed for the big race.
A big thing for me with this lad is that he likes to race prominently,
so he should avoid trouble. However, I’d be more concerned about him chucking
one in and blundering, the National fences take no prisoners and he’ll have to
be foot perfect.
Any Second Now (16/1 Coral, Ladbrokes, William Hill)
No prizes for originality here, as this lad has finished 2nd and 3rd in the last two renewals of the race, he clearly loves the stamina test and he also loves the national fences. A lot has been made of his handicap mark and how the handicapper hasn’t given him any reprieve, but what has he done to be deserving of that? He’s seen the track 3 times since his 2nd last year and has come 2nd, 4th, and 1st. Hardly on the downgrade.
He's another who likes to race forward so he’s got much the same reasoning as Ain’t That A Shame but his jumping should be assured, much like his stamina. With the case made, he should play a part in the finish to continue his good course form.
Enjoy Dallen - (80/1 William hill, 66/1 General)
Be rude not to chance a big price in the national , ENJOY DALLEN was bought months before the 2022 grand national by JP McManus and his big day was ruined by a sketchy jump at the 1st leading to the jockey being unseated. He ran okay in the paddy power in December, never really put into the race with obvious aims at the grand national this year. He has been declared with a toungestrap and blinkers, a headgear combination what has been absent since his 2022 Irish Grand National run. In my opinion he has ran his better races with the toungestrap on (3 wins from 7 races with toungestrap on), suggesting he could improve significantly for its return. Jumping can be abit sketchy but I can imagine he has been well schooled before his return to Aintree. Hes a strong stayer, who if staying out of trouble could run a very good race at a huge price.
Galvin - (20/1 Paddy Power, 365 , 18/1 General)
Top class 9yo, who proved his doubters that he still retains all ability after pushing stable mate Delta Work close in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham. He may have beaten Delta Work if the ground was quicker, then you’re talking a single figures poke for this years grand national. Aintree is forecasted 2ml of rain and plenty of wind on Thursday night, allowing a high chance for the National to be ran on decent enough ground for GALVIN to be at his best. He is a proven stout stayer with the extra distance likely to play to his strengths. I feel he may have come to the national a year later than he should have but I still believe he has a great chance off near top weight. Owner Ronnie Bartlett hasn’t had a runner in the race since 2019, where he had the 3rd , GALVIN can hopefully go a couple of places better.
Honourable Mentions
We've got to give a quick mention to Hill Sixteen of the Sandy Thomson yard, he’s always doing his best work late and looked to have as good a chance as any in the Scottish National last year before unseating. He’s second start off the wind op and 1st time cheekpieces, hopefully a massive run is in the offing at 66/1.
Another quick mention is for Fortescue , who has ran very well over the national fences before. He showed enough in the Grand National trial to suggest he is in good enough form to run well on his return to Aintree. Blinkers are now tried, what can only be a good thing. 66/1 is a big price for a confirmed stayer.
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