Grand National Lucky Dip

Vanillier ran a remarkable race in last year's Grand National having been in fifteenth position jumping four out and was still twelve lengths behind the leader when jumping the last. The grey gelding powered up the run in and passed all of his rivals bar one, the well-handicapped, Corach Rambler. This year Vanillier has been well campaigned by Gavin Cromwell, running in three races which were unlikely to play to the gelding’s strengths in that they were at distances well short of his best. The result of these runs was for the UK handicapper to allocate the nine-year-old gelding a handicap mark of 151 just four pounds higher than his excellent performance last year. Once his Aintree mark had been set, trainer Cromwell directed his charge to the Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse, the same race he warmed up for the Grand National in last year.  As with last year, Vanillier finished second at Fairyhouse, this time though he was comprehensively outpointed by Grand National opponent, I Am Maximus. Vanillier kept tabs on I Am Maximus until approaching the last fence but from there the Mullins trained runner sprinted away for a fourteen length victory. Connections were far from despondent with jockey Sean Flanagan feeling his mount had run better than when second to Kemboy in the same race last year. The jockey maintained he had wanted to give Vanillier a proper race and that he felt the quality of the opposition was higher than twelve months ago.  Undoubtedly, Vanillier will go to Aintree with plenty of confidence behind him as he attempts to be the first horse since Mon Mome in 2009 to win the Grand National after previously been beaten in the race.