Joe Tizzard blog: Leading trainer previews his Grand National runner

The latest Joe Tizzard blog sees the leading trainer and Coral ambassador preview his Grand National runner ahead of tomorrow’s prestigious event.

Joe Tizzard blog

Aintree 4.00  – Eldorado Allen

As a horse rated in the 150s, Eldorado Allen was one of the few British-trained Grand National entries guaranteed a spot in the field of 34, so this has been the target for a while.  His fourth place in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in December was a terrific run, he really galloped all the way through the line that day, so that’s what made us aim him at this National trip.  I admit it didn’t work running him over hurdles in January, and we then had his wind tweaked after that Plumpton run, while he was one of plenty who didn’t finish in the Ultima at Cheltenham last month.

As his rating confirms, he’s a horse with a bit of class, so if he can get into a nice rhythm over these fences, really enjoy himself, then I can see him running a big race at big odds.  With the ground as testing as it is, we’ll ride him to get round, and as there might not be a lot of finishers, he could run into the first six.

We were looking at schooling him over the Pipe’s National fences, but the wet weather put paid to that, so we’ve done plenty with him at home, and in reality, plenty of horses run well in the National without any prior schooling, if they take to it, they take to it.  My biggest hope is the jockeys are sensible enough in what will be testing ground, we certainly won’t be up with the running, Brendan [Powell] can hunt him round and who knows what we might be able to pick up.

Overall I think the race has a very open look to it.  Corach Rambler won well last year but winning it again is never easy, he’s obviously carrying more weight and the ground will be testing enough for him.  Willie Mullins has a big team of whom I Am Maximus looks the leading contender, while Kitty’s Light has just got into the race and does have a terrific record in big staying chases.  It may be down to 34 runners but that doesn’t make it any easier to pick a winner!