Ground conditions will be the deciding factor in whether top-weight Conflated will line up in the Randox Grand National at Aintree on Saturday – with the weather pointing towards Delta Work as the number one contender for Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud.
The 10-year-old Conflated, who holds alternative entries in the Aintree Bowl on Thursday and Friday's Melling Chase, is one of 13 contenders for Gordon Elliott following the confirmation stage, with Coko Beach, Delta Work and Galvin also part of the three-time Grand National-winning trainer’s squad.
Conflated, Coko Beach and Delta Work all carry the colours of Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud, who are also responsible for Farouk D’Alene, Run Wild Fred and Frontal Assault, although the latter is almost certain to miss the cut.
When asked whether the first five were intended runners Gigginstown’s racing manager Eddie O’Leary said: "I would think at the moment yes, maybe Conflated might not, we’ll see how heavy the ground is going to be. If it’s very heavy he might come out to go in the Bowl or even the Melling.
"Would we chance him over that trip on good ground yes, would we chance him over that trip on heavy ground, probably no. We’ll see what Gordon thinks.
"Coko Beach likes soft ground, but he mightn’t like what the handicapper’s done to him. He’s a lovely old horse, but he’s run it he race twice and failed to get home twice.
"We’ll obviously give him a bit more of a chance this year, rather than trying to make the running with him, but he got a big hike for winning the Troytown and off that weight (11st 7lb) it’s hard to fancy him. Conflated has to give him 5lb and Conflated would carry him."
The Gigginstown colours have been carried to Aintree glory three times – twice by Tiger Roll and once by Rule The World. Like Tiger Roll, Delta Work is a winner of the cross-country chase at Cheltenham, although that race was called off this year, meaning a slightly less smooth preparation than had been hoped for.
O’Leary is still hopeful, however. He said: "I’d say of ours Delta Work (above) would be the one. He’s a good horse and he’ll love the ground. It was a pity he didn’t get to run in Cheltenham after they called the cross country off as horses were trained for that to come forward for the National, but we are where we are now."
Willie Mullins is also heavily represented, as he seeks a second victory in the world’s most famous steeplechase, having previously struck with Hedgehunter in 2005.
The Closutton handler’s nine-strong team features last year’s Irish Grand National winner I Am Maximus, fellow JP McManus-owned runner Meetingofthewaters and Mr Incredible.
Other leading hopes for Ireland include last year’s runner-up Vanillier, trained by Gavin Cromwell, the Emmet Mullins-trained 2022 National hero Noble Yeats, Martin Brassil’s Panda Boy, Mahler Mission from John McConnell’s yard and Henry de Bromhead’s 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo.
The home team is led by Corach Rambler, victorious 12 months ago and the favourite to strike gold again following an excellent third place in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month.
Kitty’s Light would be a popular winner with British fans for Welsh trainer Christian Williams, as would Gary Moore’s Welsh Grand National scorer and proven mudlark Nassalam.
Others of note among 51 confirmations include the Tom Ellis-trained Latenightpass and Dan Skelton’s mare Galia Des Liteaux, with the latter one of six horses on 10st 6lb at the bottom of the weights.
Empire Steel, Fantastic Lady, Angels Dawn and Fury Road were the four horses not left in at Monday’s confirmation stage, while Classic Getaway, Bronn and Full Back had all been scratched.
Top 34 entries in the handicap by weight
Conflated
Noble Yeats
Nassalam
Coko Beach
Capodanno
I Am Maximus
Minella Indo
Corach Rambler
Janidil
Stattler
Mahler Mission
Delta Work
Foxy Jacks
Galvin
Farouk D'Alene
Eldorado Allen
Ain’t That A Shame
Vanillier
Mr Incredible
Run Wild Fred
Latenightpass
Minella Crooner
Adamantly Chosen
Mac Tottie
Chemical Energy
Limerick Lace
Meetingofthewaters
The Goffer
Roi Mage
Glengouly
Galia Des Liteaux
Panda Boy
33= Eklat De Rire
33= Chambard
33= Kitty's Light
Remaining confirmations
Malina Girl
Desertmore House
Kinondo Kwetu
Shakem Up'Arry
Ontheropes
Fakir D'Alene
Annual Invictus
Amirite
Tullybeg
Iron Bridge
Cepage
Famous Bridge
Frontal Assault
Good Boy Bobby
Tommie Beau
Where It All Began
