Grand National Festival: Minella a Present to punters in Red Rum Handicap Chase

David Metcalf | April 6, 2016

Minella Present weighted to strike in Red Rum Handicap Chase

Minella Present can take advantage of what looks a lenient mark to land the Red Rum Handicap Chase (16:40) at Aintree on the opening day of the 2016 Grand National Festival.

The Neil Mulholland trained gelding was a smart hurdle performer who has shown progressive form in five starts since being sent chasing, winning once and finishing in the frame on the other four occasions.

After scoring in easily by five lengths at Fontwell, the seven-year-old ran very well when chasing home Violet Dancer at Towcester.

Minella Present stayed on to be beaten just over three lengths, and it was a very solid effort trying to give 6lb to the winner, who went on to score three-times and be rated 147 before sadly having to be put down after suffering complications whilst recovering from an operation.

Career best effort at Cheltenham

The son of Presenting backed that up with a career-best effort when runner-up to Keel Haul in a competitive 15-runner handicap at Cheltenham when last seen in action.

Minella Present got badly hampered three from home and was denied a clear run approaching the last, before powering up the hill to be beaten just a length.

It was cracking effort given how the race panned out, and there seems little doubt that Minella would have won but for those two unfortunate incidents at vital stages.