The colours of Merseyside’s football teams are red and blue, so it is appropriate Grangeclare West will be in red and blue as he pursues history.
The 10-year-old would be the oldest winner of the Randox Grand National since Pineau De Re’s shock 25-1 triumph in 2014 but age is not going to be a barrier to Grangeclare West in the contest that sees the nation go racing.
Trainer Willie Mullins has meticulously planned the campaign of Grangeclare West, who is owned by Cheveley Park Stud, so that he peaks on this day of days and the vibes about him in the market in recent days have been encouraging.
This should not be a surprise. If you have time, watch the replay back from the 2025 renewal, when Mullins had the 1-2-3 and threw in the fifth and seventh-placed horses for the most staggering training performance in National history.
Nick Rockett led home the battalion, ahead of I Am Maximus — back again to see if he can reclaim the crown he won in 2024 — while in third place was Grangeclare West.
Hard luck often plays a part at Aintree and he certainly had it. Coming into the final fence, four horses were locked together but Grangeclare West got his angles wrong, landed a little too step and suddenly found himself on the back foot as his rivals headed for the iconic elbow and scurried for home.
Trainer Willie Mullins has meticulously planned the campaign of Grangeclare West so that he peaks on Grand National day
Patrick Mullins – Willie’s son – will ride Grangeclare West as he goes in search of National glory
After four miles, such a mistake can knock the wind out of a horse’s sails but Grangeclare West got back on an even keel and thundered up the run-in, as stamina came into play. Had there been another furlong, Brian Hayes may have joined his wife, Rachael Blackmore, as a National-winning jockey.
Taking over the steering this afternoon is Willie’s son, Patrick, and it would be a remarkable story if he wins a second National, having been on Nick Rockett’s back 12 months ago for that emotional success.
As ever with the National, when £1million is up for grabs, you must have other options. Grangeclare West was deeply impressive when he won the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February but dangers are lurking everywhere you look.
Panic Attack will go well for champion-trainer elect Dan Skelton, whose team are in outstanding form — as showed by Grey Dawning winning yesterday’s Melling Chase. She is trying to become the first mare since 1951 to win and her price has collapsed this week; she may even go off favourite.
I Am Maximus must come into your equations, as should Final Orders, a brilliant winner at the Cheltenham Festival last month. Oscars Brother, trained by Connor King and ridden by his brother, Daniel, also has claims.
No horse, though, has better claims of winning than Grangeclare West.
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