Matt Chapman’s 1-2-3-4 prediction for the National
Just over a year ago I AM MAXIMUS hacked up in the Grand National and looked like a horse who could easily go and win the big race again this year.
Since that day at Aintree, Willie Mullins’ grand gelding has been relatively hopeless, doing nothing in two runs in Grade 1s at Leopardstown.
He’s up to 167 from 159 which means he has to hump 11st 12lb to succeed again but I don’t think 8lb more would have stopped him 12 months ago and I’m happy to keep the faith I Am Maximus will follow up under Paul Townend.
VANILLIER has been here before, finishing second to Corach Rambler in 2023 when rated 147 and 14th last year off 151.
His mark this time is back to the 147 of 2023 which clearly gives him an each-way chance especially after his eye-catching third in the Cross-Country at Cheltenham when he might have won had he not nearly taken the wrong course!
MINELLA COCOONER has been nibbled at in ante-post lists and is the mount of Johnny Burke again for Mullins.
His third to Intense Raffles in the 2024 Irish National makes him interesting and that was on heavy ground.
He seemed to love a better surface when landing the race we all know as the Whitbread at Sandown this time last year and, while 6lb higher here, he might have a squeak.
MINELLA INDO probably needs a miracle at the age of 12 to land this, but he was a fine third last year and, of course, brings in the back class of being a Cheltenham Gold Cup hero.
He hasn’t done much recently but it’s clear trainer Henry De Bromhead has laid out for this and he’s a massive price.
