VANILLIER can land victory for Ireland again in the 2023 Randox Grand National at Aintree Racecourse.
Gavin Cromwell’s grey can become the 30th Irish-trained winner of the world’s greatest steeplechase and continue the recent domination of those from the Emerald Isle. Irish handlers have won the last four runnings – and five of the last six – of the Aintree marathon. And they look to hold the whip hand again – despite Scottish-based Lucinda Russell’s Corach Rambler likely to go off favourite – with Irish-trained runners in the majority (27-12) and many of the others near the head of the market including last year’s one-two-three – Noble Yeats, Any Second Now and Delta Work. All three could go close again this time, but a little further down the betting and the handicap, Cromwell’s Vanillier looks to have the right changing profile of recent winners and may come out on top to give his County Meath trainer a first Grand National victory.
Vanillier is an eight-year-old – like recent scorers One For Arthur, Tiger Roll and Minella Times – and he is in his second season over fences. The grey son of Martaline had been a smart hurdler prior to his switch to the bigger obstacles, winning the Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival, showing his stamina at an early age in the three-mile contest, staying-on well for a wide-margin success. Since going chasing, Vanillier has won one of his nine chase starts but he clearly has plenty of scope for improvement especially at this marathon distance. His efforts in defeat have also been good, especially with the Aintree showpiece in mind.
Last season, he finished third in the 3m6f National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, admittedly fairly well beaten by Stattler and Run Wild Fred. That is pretty good form and showed again that the further he goes the better he should be. This season, although Vanillier is yet to win and has shown one or two issues with his jumping, Cromwell has been gearing everything around peaking on Grand National day.
Vanillier’s best effort came on his most recent start. Despite giving weight to all his rivals in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February, he finished second to former smart Grade One performer Kemboy, beaten only half-a-length with some of his rivals for Grand National glory in behind.
The Bobbyjo Chase has been used by a number of Grand National contenders in the past with Hedgehunter winning both races in 2005 and the likes of Any Second Now last year and Rathvinden both finishing second at Aintree having won the Fairyhouse contest beforehand.
Despite one or two slight jumping issues, Vanillier appears to getting much better and is improving with each run. He should clearly stay this trip and has shown he is at ease on the big racedays. He can triumph and give Cromwell a first victory in the Aintree showpiece.
READ MORE: Pinstickers' guide to all 40 Grand National runners
Of course there are a host of dangers to the selection with last year’s second and third – Any Second Now and Delta Work – sure to be in the firing line again. The latter – trained by triple Grand National winner Gordon Elliott – as he did last season won the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham and arrives back at Aintree in superb form. A former Grade One winner who jumps impeccably, Delta Work should go very close to victory again.
He is one of six entries for Elliott as he bids for a record-equalling fourth victory in the Grand National and Coko Beach is another who could go well. The eight-year-old finished eighth in last year’s National and won the Grand National Trial at Punchestown in February. Coko Beach is another potentially improving young Irish chaser who can go close.
READ MORE: Full list of final 40 runners for the 2023 Grand National
Ted Walsh’s Any Second Now is at the other end of the age spectrum now being an 11-year-old. But he won on his most recent start and despite carrying top weight of 11st12lb he could easily match his third and second-placed finishes in the National over the past two years. Although he may find one of two better handicapped horses ahead of him again.
Russell’s Corach Rambler has a big chance of a first British winner since the same Scottish stable sent out the late One For Arthur to triumph in 2017. He won the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival for a second time and the bold-jumping nine-year-old has a big chance of victory. Although he does tend to get behind in his races and that may cost him. But he looks certain to be involved in the finish.
Dan Skelton’s Coral Gold Cup winner Le Milos is one of a few British hopes for glory who could at least get among the places. While last year’s winner Noble Yeats, the Willie Mullins-trained Gaillard Du Mesnil, Jessica Harrington’s Lifetime Ambition and Ain’t That A Shame and Longhouse Poet from the Grand National-winning stables of Henry De Bromhead and Martin Brassill respectively are others who may go well. But is it Vanillier who strikes me as the most likely winner to keep Irish eyes smiling.
READ MORE: For latest odds from William Hill, the official betting partner of the Grand National Festival, visit https://rb.gy/izcpzu
RANDOX GRAND NATIONAL 2023 PREDICTION
1. VANILLIER (NAP)
2. Delta Work
3. Corach Rambler
4. Any Second Now
5. Coko Beach
Best of rest: Le Milos
