Grand National: Synchronised leads field as 48 declare five days out

PAUL Moloney believes his John Smith’s Grand National mount Cappa Bleu “ticks a lot of the boxes”.

Moloney has ridden his Evan Williams-trained stablemate State Of Play to be placed in the last three renewals and he admits that passing him over this year was very hard. The deciding factor was that both horses are owned by the Rucker family, meaning his loyalty was not being called into question.

Cappa Bleu is a 14-1 chance with Betfred behind their 8-1 favourite Synchronised, the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A total of 48 horses remain in the race at the five-day stage.

“State Of Play has been fourth, third and fourth, so he’s got a great record around there. It was a hard decision but I was lucky that William and Angela Rucker own both horses, that made it a bit easier, I wouldn’t be doing it otherwise, even for the favourite,” said Moloney. “The simple fact is they own Cappa so that made it easier.”

Tony McCoy would enter the history books were Synchronised to win and after his exploits on Don’t Push It in recent years his National record now holds up to the closest scrutiny. “Jonjo is pretty happy with him so we’ll have to see,” said the champion jockey.

Following overnight rain in the area the going on the Grand National course changed to soft, good to soft in places yesterday.

Meanwhile, Lion Na Bearnai provided trainer Tom Gibney and jockey Andrew Thornton with the biggest success of their careers in the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse. The ten-year-old showed stamina in abundance to see off Edward O’Grady’s Out Now after the last fence. The winner returned at 33-1. Jonjo O’Neill’s Alfie Sherrin was third, with Paddy Pub fourth.

SELECTIONS

Pontefract

2.20 Toymaker

2.50 Kudoz

3.20 Parc De Launay

3.50 Descaro

4.25 Splendid Light

4.55 Elegant Girl

5.25 Brockfield

5.55 Beautiful Day

Southwell

2.00 Crystal Cove

2.30 Pearls From Sydney

3.00 Elhamri

3.30 Ace Of Spies

4.05 Red Orator

4.35 Captain Bellamy

5.05 Bonnie Prince Blue

Yarmouth

2.10 Out Of The Blocks

2.40 Knight Vision (nap)

3.10 Tidal Run

3.40 Final Delivery

4.15 Miss Cato

4.45 Oh So Spicy

5.15 Love You Louis

Double

Knight Vision

2:40 Yarmouth

Elegant Girl

4:55 Pontefract

Related topics: