One Royal worthy of support

Clan Royal: tipped for success

14 April 2012

If you can't be on top of Aintree's County Stand tomorrow afternoon then make sure you are in front of the television once Charles and Camilla have done the deed.

The most spellbinding contest in the racing calendar blazes into life at 10 past four, and Clan Royal can emerge from the whirlpool of sound and fury in front when the John Smith's Grand National reaches its crescendo just over 10 minutes later.

Thousands of once-a-year punters will be backing this 10-year-old purely because Charles is making an honest woman of Camilla. But Jonjo O'Neill's gelding has a great deal more going for him than an appropriate name as he bids to give AP McCoy his first National success at the 10th attempt.

First and foremost, Clan Royal clearly comes alive over the Aintree fences. Three runs at the course have yielded an emphatic win in the Topham Chase and a narrow success in the Becher Chase during 2003, while his performance in last year's National was heroic.

Clan Royal travelled like a dream for a long way that day, but his rider Liam Cooper had a nightmare in the final mile. Blunder one came five out, where a mistake by Clan Royal saw Cooper lose his whip, and blunder two came early on the run-in when the young Irishman seemed inclined to drive his mount down the wrong course.

All things considered, Clan Royal ran a blinder to go down by just three lengths to Amberleigh House, and although O'Neill's horses have been sick for much of the winter McCoy seems unusually confident that he can reverse the form tomorrow afternoon.

Opposing National specialists like Amberleigh House can result in a severe dose of egg on face, but I'm dead against Ginger McCain's gelding this year.

It isn't just that no teenager has won the National since 1923, nor that he's now 7lb higher than last year. No, the real reason for opposing Amberleigh House relates to the belief that he owed his 2004 triumph in large part to a wonderful ride from Graham Lee, who stayed ice cool when the leaders set sail for home a mile out and picked up the pieces when they tired on the unforgiving run-in.

It's hard to see things falling into his lap quite so neatly again. And it's hard to see him confirming 2004 form with the likes of Hedgehunter, who ran a blinder last year and looked all set for a place until taking a fall at the last.

Now to the others who played their part in 2004. Lord Atterbury finished a gallant third, while Monty's Pass plugged on for fourth without ever threatening the principals. Hedgehunter looks best of the bunch, but there are others capable going close if they rise to Aintree's unique challenge.

That said, the if is a big one in some cases, especially with Take The Stand.

Peter Bowen's gelding bids to follow the Rough Quest route by landing the National after finishing second in the Gold Cup.

Mick Fitzgerald memorably described the experience as "better than sex" after Rough Quest's Aintree win. But Leighton Aspell is unlikely to echo his sentiments if Take The Stand doesn't buck his jumping ideas up.

One horse who has already risen to the Aintree challenge twice is Forest Gunner, who carried Carrie Ford to a famous Foxhunters victory here last year and has thrived since to land another valuable Aintree contest and a major Haydock handicap.

The admirable Mrs Ford will strike a momentous blow for women's sport if she can complete her dream, and Forest Gunner's fearless jumping will be a major asset, but his free-wheeling style might just leave him vulnerable in the latter stages.

Stamina shouldn't be any sort of a worry for the likeable Strong Resolve, a grey who jumps like a buck and comes firmly into the reckoning based on his gallant second behind Silver Birch in the Welsh National over Christmas.

Lucinda Russell's gelding looks an ideal National type, especially now the ground has turned soft, and the qualities he brings to the table make him worth a saver at around 10-1. And, given that it's a rare National which doesn't see at least one outsider excel himself, keep an eye on the likes of Fondmort, Bindaree and Jakari.

Bindaree triumphed here in 2002 and looked as good as ever when fifth in the Welsh National, while the bold jumping Fondmort has the stats against him but came right back to form at Cheltenham and will give 'Fitzy' a thrilling ride if his stamina holds. Similar comments apply to Jakari, but whatever happens another wonderful National looks assured.

Safe passage to all the 40 horses and riders who set off for this annual piece of galloping history.

And good luck to AP McCoy as he bids to guide Clan Royal to a victory which would set the seal on one of the most remarkable riding careers that jump racing has ever seen.

Cunningham's verdict

1 . . . . . . . . Clan Royal
2 . . . . . . . . Strong Resolve
3 . . . . . . . . Fondmort
4 . . . . . . . . Bindaree

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