Brian Ellison’s Definitly Red (20/1), who won the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in impressive fashion when last seen, has been handed a top weight of 11st 10lbs for the Grand National (Saturday April 14).
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the priority for that one though, and this race is only one option for his subsequent run along with the Aintree Bowl.
Ante-post Favourite Blaklion (10/1) has been given a weight of 11st 6lbs following his win in the Becher Handicap Chase over the National fences at Aintree. Last year’s fourth remains the market-leader following the release of the weights.
Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge, with that all-important course form to his name, will likely continue to be supported as the build-up to the race continues if his trainer continues to be so effusive in his praise of him.
The highest-weighted Irish raider left in at this stage is Willie Mullins’ Total Recall (12/1), winner of the Munster National and the Ladbrokes Trophy this season, who has been given a burden of 11st 1lbs.
He’d have to improve yet further to win this but looked in rude health when picking up a nice pot from a lower handicap mark over hurdles at Leopardstown last time and has surprised a few times already this campaign.
Mullins has a total of Mullins' 10 entries also include talented novice Rathvinden (10st 9lb, 50/1)
Gordon Elliott leaves 10 in the race as it stands, too, including Tiger Roll (10st 9lb, 40/1) and last year’s runner-up Causes of Causes (10st 12lb, 20/1) who’ll both be seen next at the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
A field of 66 at this time will be cut down to a maximum field of 40 by April. Have a look at the prices of a selection of those runners below:
