THE first going update for the Grand National has officially landed – and it currently looks like good news for horses who love the mud.
The Aintree National track is, according to the BHA update, soft (heavy in places).
AP:Associated PressWho remembers Red Marauder winning the Grand National in the mud?[/caption]
If the forecast stays the same between now and 4pm on Saturday, April 13, then the already gruelling race could turn into a right slog.
But that could be good news for the horses below, who have all shown a liking for when the going gets tough.
Here, Sun Racing look at five horses who will like soft ground – and one who probably won’t.
1 Nassalam
Odds: 40-1
Gary Moore’s superstar chaser looked born for heavy ground when he sluiced up by 34 lengths in the Welsh Grand National.
The seven-year-old pulverised his rivals after being smashed into 9-2 from double-digit odds.
He was pulled up when last seen in the Gold Cup, and trainer Moore has been less than pleased with the ‘absurd’ weight he has been given in the world’s most famous race.
But his preference for soft ground could prove the ultimate leveller.
2 Delta Work
Odds: 33-1
Gordon Elliott’s stout stayer looked set for a right old dust-up with former Gold Cup hero Minella Indo in the Cross Country last month.
But that race was axed altogether – bad news for Delta Work, who loves nothing more than galloping through puddles.
He and jockey Jack Kennedy were caked in mud when beating Tiger Roll in a thrilling Cross Country in 2022.
And the going was soft when he beat Galvin to defend his crown one year on.
Lack of a recent run may be some concern for punters, but the forecast ground certainly shouldn’t be.
I Am Maximus
Odds: 9-1
It looks like you may need to move quickly if you want to back this horse.
Bookies reported a surge of cash for the Willie Mullins runner last week – and there could be more to come now given the update on conditions.
I Am Maximus is a former Irish Grand National winner and now owned by JP McManus.
I Am Maximus relished the mud when winning the Irish Grand NationalSportsfile
He won a particularly tough race that year, with only six of the 27 runners finishing and a total of 18 being pulled up.
All of his five career wins have come with soft in the going description but his biggest-margin victory – 14 lengths – came in his most recent run at Fairyhouse, where it was soft to heavy.
Ain’t That A Shame
Odds: 66-1
Amateur jockey David Maxwell has splashed some serious cash to land this Henry de Bromhead-trained Thyestes Chase winner.
And it could prove an inspired purchase, with the ten-year-old showing a real liking for heavy going.
He looked like he was only seriously getting going at the end of the 3m1f Thyestes run on heavy at Gowran Park in January.
With five runs on ground with heavy in the description, he has three wins and a third, once being pulled up.
He has experience of the Aintree fences having finished 17th in the National last year on good to soft ground, which wouldn’t have seen him to best effect.
With the polarising amateur jockey in the saddle, he looks set to be able to run into the places this year.
Meetingofthewaters
Odds: 16-1
Another JP runner, Meetingofthewaters was purchased by the legendary punter just before Cheltenham Festival.
The seven-year-old was an impressive third in the Ultima having unseated on his run prior.
But before that he saw off the fancied Panda Boy to win the 3m Paddy Power Listed chase on soft at Leopardstown.
He has been tried on better ground but his four career wins have all come with soft in the description.
And while there may be question marks over him on heavy ground, he was encouraging enough in the Ultima to suggest it should pose few problems.
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