There will be no Aintree Grand National this year and the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse is under threat but at least ‘National’ addicts can get their fix at Downpatrick this Sunday with the Randox Ulster National Handicap Chase taking place at 15.10.
The Ulster Grand National was first run in 1939 and has a long and illustrious history. Caughoo won the 1945 and 1946 runnings before victory in the 1947 Aintree Grand National.
Laffy, owned by the Queen Mother and trained in Britain by Peter Cazalet with Willie Robinson aboard, won the Ulster National in 1962 and attracted a record attendance to the track.
More recently, Pineau De Re won the annual feature at the course in 2013 and subsequently went on to win the Aintree Grand National the next season and this year’s field features a former Irish Grand National winner.
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Randox Ulster National Handicap Chase
Ifyoucatchmenow 5/1
Cheb De Kerviniou 11/2
Gun Digger and Jimmil 8/1
General Principle 11/1
Cappacurry Zak 12/1
Its All Guesswork, Out Sam and Amaulino 14/1
The Red Menace, Coastal Tiep, Rocky’s Silver and Biddy The Boss 16/1
Space Cadet 20/1
Poormans Hill and Ah Littleluck 25/1
Call The Taxie and Victoria Bay 40/1
(Odds correct at 13.30 GMT on Saturday, 21st March 2020)
Horse Racing Betting at Betvictor
Table of Contents
Watson stayer bids for repeat
Amaulino is 8lb higher than when landing last year’s Ulster National but looks to have been trained with the race in mind again.
Still only seven, he’s had just two runs this season and both were over hurdles and six months apart.
Having a conditional jockey on board claiming 7lb will aid his cause and he’s attractively priced at 14/1 with Betvictor.
Cheb De Kerviniou looks worthy contender
One of six runners from the all-conquering Gordon Elliot stable, Cheb De Kerviniou sports the Munir colours seen to good effect on Concertista at Cheltenham.
The 10-year-old was only third behind current 5/1 favourite Ifyoucatchmenow in the Grand National Trial over 3m4f at Punchestown but is now better off at the weights despite another fine run at Naas where he again beat stable companion and former Irish Grand National winner General Principle (a general 11/1) as well as Space Cadet and Monbeg Notorious, who won next time at Down Royal.
Rachael Blackmore’s mount is a best 11/2 with Betvictor.
Jimmil is still improving
The penny has dropped with former pointer Jimmil and he was impressive at Navan eight days ago on only his fifth run under Rules.
As long as this doesn’t come around too soon, Gavin Cromwell’s six-year-old can make his presence felt at 8/1 with Betvictor.
Rocky’s seeks Silver lining
Twice a winner at Punchestown this season, Rocky’s Silver was pulled up in the Grand National Trial on that track last month.
But that wouldn’t be the first time that James Dullea’s charge had disappointed following a victory. The general 16/1 might attract some each-way punters hoping for a bounce back.
Predictions
The Punchestown Grand National Trial looks like the best form on offer and Ifyoucatchmenow and CHEB DE KERVINIOU finished first and third in that contest, ahead of General Principle and Out Sam.
Racheal Blackmore rides Gordon Elliott’s presumed first string and he is preferred to the Willie Mullins entry and stablemate Gun Digger, who had shown little before taking advantage of a tumbling handicap mark over a shorter distance at Leopardstown.
Jimmil is an improving young stayer so warrants respect and old-timer General Principle could sty on into a place, though would have preferred better ground.
