The initial list of Grand National runners have been announced, and they’ve revealed a clear trend in favour of Irish runners.
At this stage last year, 107 horses were named as potential runners but only 85 have been announced for this April’s race. However the number of Irish horses has actually increased this time round to 54 runners, making it highly likely that recent Irish dominance in the race will be extended further.
Whichever 40 horses make the final cut, it is already clear that Gordon Elliott will lead the charge, having entered 21 of those on the Grand National longlist. Delta Work will potentially be Elliott’s main fancy. He finished third last year and is again expected to head to Aintree off the back of a run in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham.
Last year’s winning trainer Emmet Mullins has predictably entered Noble Yeats once again, but his hopes will be far more thinly spread than Elliot, with his only other horse being The Shunter.
The Mullins name will also be well represented by Emmet’s uncle Willie, who could have as many as eight in contention on Saturday 15th April.
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