Gemini Grand National Horses

Galvin is currently rated 166 and only one horse (Bristol De Mai) has run in the last five Grand Nationals from a higher rating. The nine-year-old would appear to face a tough task on his first look at the Aintree fences. The Gordon Elliott trained gelding is a winning machine having won thirteen times already with two sequences of five wins in a row. The highlights of those wins were his National Hunt Chase victory two seasons ago at the Cheltenham Festival and his last gasp win over A Plus Tard last season in the Grade One Savills Chase at Leopardstown. Galvin’s season last year ended on a low note after finishing a well-beaten fourth in the Gold Cup behind old foe A Plus Tard and then beaten twenty-four lengths by Allaho at Punchestown. Those defeats could just have been a reaction to a hard season but, despite one win this season and a runner-up spot in the Cross Country at Cheltenham, his current form looks below the highs of last season.  Despite all his victories, Galvin’s jumping can still be inconsistent (see his runner-up to Frodon at Down Royal last season as an example) so that aspect could also be a negative against this horse at Aintree. Stamina would be unlikely to be an issue given his win in the 3m 6f National Hunt Chase and with the gelding’s preference for a sound surface he would be likely to find conditions that suit him. Galvin would be a fascinating contender at Aintree and, given his partnership with double Grand National winning rider Davy Russell, who looks likely to be having his last ride in the race. Galvin is very likely to be well supported to win Russell a third Grand National.