Blue Grand National Horses

Beauport led last year's Grand National in the second-half of the race and appeared to be really enjoying himself at the head of affairs before overtaken at the third-last fence. His effort capitulated very quickly after that, which was somewhat surprising for a horse who had won the Midlands National over a similar distance. 

Trainers Nigel and Willie Twiston-Davies have been swapping his races between hurdles and fences over the last few seasons and he started this season with a very encouraging run over the larger obstacles when a close-up fourth over three-miles and three furlongs at Cheltenham in November. Two less inspiring efforts have come over hurdles since then so it's difficult to know what kind of form the ten-year-old gelding is in. 

If Beauport does turn up at Aintree he will run from a three pound lower mark than last year but even with that reduction it's hard to fancy him given how quickly he checked out last year but he has since had wind operation so perhaps an improved performance could be on the cards.

Mr Vango was one of the horses of last season winning the London National at Sandown, the Peter Marsh at Haydock and ending the season with another victory, this time in the Midlands National. 

The gelding’s connections were frustrated he wasn’t on a high enough rating to make the final field at Aintree but have focused this season on getting the ten-year-old into this year’s Grand National.

This season started well for Mr Vango when he showed his aptitude for the National fences when finishing a short-head runner-up to Twig in the Becher Chase in December but Grand National plans have gone awry for the horse since then. The Sara Bradstock trained chaser turned in a rare blip in his form figures when pulling up in a race at Sandown but connections were further frustrated when Mr Vango pulled up again next time out, this time in the Eider Chase at Newcastle. 

After two such disappointing performances, Mr Vango’s participation in the Grand National must be in some doubt, but if his trainer can get him back to the form of last year he would be a live player at Aintree.