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JP McManus Aims for Historic Fourth Grand National Victory
Renowned owner JP McManus stands on the cusp of making history at the upcoming £1 million Grand National. A victory would mark his fourth win in this prestigious event, surpassing the record he currently shares with five other owners, including Gigginstown House Stud and the late Trevor Hemmings. This year, McManus has six formidable contenders entered in the race. Let’s delve into each of these hopefuls:
Iroko
- Trainers: Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero
- Odds: 8-1
Iroko emerges as Britain’s leading contender, having been meticulously prepared for this event throughout the season. His commendable performances in Grade 1 novice chases at Cheltenham and Aintree last term, including a four-length second to recent Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin in the Mildmay, underscore his class. Notably, he achieved his highest Racing Post Rating of 157 when finishing second to Grey Dawning at Kelso recently. Entering the National with an official mark of 152, Iroko’s stamina remains untested beyond 3m1f, posing a question mark over his ability to endure the race’s demanding distance.
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
I Am Maximus
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Odds: 9-1
As last year’s Grand National champion, I Am Maximus boasts an impressive pedigree, including an Irish National victory. The nine-year-old demonstrated his aptitude for the Aintree course with a commanding seven-and-a-half-length win and shares his sire, Authorized, with dual National winner Tiger Roll. Although he was pulled up in the Savills Chase on his seasonal return and finished eighth in the Irish Gold Cup, these outings are likely stepping stones toward his primary target: defending his Grand National title. Shouldering top weight, I Am Maximus faces the formidable task of becoming the first horse since Red Rum in 1974 to win the National under such a burden.
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Perceval Legallois
- Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
- Odds: 14-1
Despite being a beaten favourite in the Galway Plate and Kerry National during the summer, Perceval Legallois has recently hit peak form. An emphatic victory in a Listed handicap chase at Leopardstown in December was followed by a handicap hurdle win at the Dublin Racing Festival. With a manageable weight of 10st 12lb and a racing style suggesting suitability for the National’s stamina test, he presents a compelling case for success.
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Meetingofthewaters
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Odds: 20-1
Meetingofthewaters delivered a respectable performance as a seven-year-old in last year’s National, finishing seventh.Despite a significant error at the final ditch, he was contesting fourth place at the last fence and concluded the race less than 16 lengths behind the winner. However, his three subsequent runs at Leopardstown this season have offered limited encouragement, and he returns to Aintree carrying a 1lb higher mark, necessitating a career-best effort to contend.
Star Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Capodanno
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Odds: 66-1
A horse of notable ability on his day, Capodanno’s recent Grand National attempts have been underwhelming, with a pull-up and a distant 16th-place finish in his last two outings. This season, he showed some promise with a fourth-place finish in the New Year’s Day Chase at Tramore and a third in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, marking his best performance since a fourth in last season’s Ryanair Chase. Nevertheless, a current mark of 157 appears challenging for a horse with just one win in his last 11 starts. Additionally, Capodanno holds an entry in the Topham Chase.
Star Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
Chantry House
- Trainer: Nicky Henderson
- Odds: 100-1
The veteran Chantry House broke a near three-year winless streak with a handicap chase victory at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. However, he failed to capitalize on this success when stepping up in class for the Cotswold Chase, suggesting that his best days may be behind him. Despite a respectable record of seven wins from 13 starts over fences, his prospects in the National appear limited.
Star Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
As JP McManus prepares his squad for the Grand National, each contender brings a unique blend of potential and challenge. While Iroko and I Am Maximus lead the charge with strong credentials, Perceval Legallois emerges as a dark horse with momentum on his side. The performances of Meetingofthewaters, Capodanno, and Chantry House will need to surpass expectations to make a significant impact. As the race approaches, anticipation builds to see if McManus can etch his name into the annals of Grand National history with an unprecedented fourth victory.
