Stamina is everything in the famous contest since the fences were softened and Ballyoptic’s credentials can’t be doubted
“I’m so lucky! I’ve got a wealth of talent,” said Nigel Twiston-Davies when asked about his nine entries for this year’s Grand National at the unveiling of the weights on Tuesday. The Gloucestershire trainer had his tongue at least partly in his cheek but his Ballyoptic is very nicely positioned on 10st 11lbs and looks the best long-range pick of the 110 possible runners at odds of 33-1.
Stamina is everything in the famous Aintree contest since the fences were softened and Ballyoptic’s credentials can’t be doubted in light of his powerful finish in last year’s Scottish Grand National. Alas for all concerned, he came up short by about an inch, carrying a stone more than the winner, Joe Farrell. The National’s extra emphasis on stamina can help him go one place better on 6 April.
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11-10 Bristol De Mai
11-6 Anibale Fly
11-4 Elegant Escape, Alpha Des Obeaux
11-3 The Storyteller
11-2 Valtor
11-1 Edwulf, Tiger Roll
11-0 Outlander
10-13 Don Poli, Go Conquer, Sub Lieutenant
10-12 Blaklion, Mala Beach, Yala Enki
10-11 Ballyoptic, Black Corton, Lake View Lad, Minella Rocco, Pleasant Company
10-10 American, Dounikos, One For Arthur, Rathvinden, Shattered Love, Sizing Codelco, Total Recall, Traffic Fluide
10-9 Rock The Kasbah, Warrior's Tale
10-8 Auvergnat, Regal Encore, Royal Vacation
10-7 A Toi Phil, Jury Duty, Magic Of Light, Master Dee
10-6 Monbeg Notorious, Noble Endeavour, Sandymount Duke, The Last Samuri
10-5 Acapella Bourgeois, Ramses De Teillee, Tea For Two
10-4 Daklondike, Mall Dini
10-3 Callett Mad, Step Back, The Dutchman, Ultragold
10-2 Blow By Blow, Ms Parfois, Pairofbrowneyes, Singlefarmpayment, Some Neck, Up For Review, Valseur Lido, Vieux Lion Rouge
10-1 Abolitionist, Give Me A Copper, Missed Approach
10-0 Folsom Blue, General Principle, Livelovelaugh, Vintage Clouds, Walk In The Mill, Willie Boy
9-13 Ballyhill, Bless The Wings, Captain Redbeard, Polidam
9-12 Allysson Monterg, Baie Des Iles, Exitas, Isleofhopendreams, Joe Farrell, Just A Par, Red Infantry, Shantou Village, The Young Master
9-11 Westerner Point
9-10 Ballyarthur, Ballydine, Cogry, Fact Of The Matter, Out Sam, Vieux Morvan
9-9 Impulsive Star, Kingswell Theatre, Mr Diablo
9-8 Carole's Destrier, Milansbar
9-7 Borice, Jarob, Measureofmydreams, Rogue Angel, Splash Of Ginge, Ziga Boy
9-5 Call It Magic, Highland Lodge, Kilcrea Vale, Woods Well
9-3 Looking Well
9-2 Back To The Thatch, Potters Corner
8-13 Morney Wing
8-12 Ned Stark, Rathlin Rose
8-11 Scoir Mear, Van Gogh Du Granit
• Skipthecuddles and Lieutenant Colonel not qualified
Southwell
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