The Cheltenham Festival is over but quick on the heels of Prestbury is the Grand National meeting. Despite the short gap between the pair, four of the last seven winners of the most famous race in the world had their final run before Aintree at the Festival.
Pineau De Re was seen in the Pertemps Final and Many Clouds contested the Gold Cup before heading to Aintree. Tiger Roll won the Cross Country twice ahead of his victories and it’s a huge shame that he doesn’t turn up in 2022. Given his run in that same race once more, he would have been well there.
A rating of 161 was considered harsh but he ran his younger, 160-rated stablemate close pulling miles clear of the rest. That suggests that despite all the complaints coming out of the Tiger Roll camp, he was probably fairly enough treated. Gigginstown still look to have the winner in their midst, however, and he ran at the Festival.
Of course, it’s Delta Work. He took to the different fences in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham like a duck to water. That was helpful given the conditions. Always travelling powerfully through the race, he didn’t need too much driving to get on top as they climbed the famous hill. That proved his stamina and saw him lay down a marker for Aintree.
For all that it was three and three-quarter miles in the mud, to the naked eye, his exertions didn’t look all that taxing. A five-time Grade 1 winner over fences, he took it all in his stride at the lower level. More importantly, he looked to relish the new test that was put in front of him.
That bodes well for the National itself. His Grade 1 class is a potent weapon, especially in a race where they go quick early. Looking at the market, the fact that he is still 16-1 is a surprise given his resume which he added to in the week. Tiger Roll was 10-1 and then 4-1 winning his pair, half of Delta Work’s current odds would look about right come the day.
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