Crockford reflects on a National joy tinged by sadness

This National will join those which is not forgotten - but this time for joy and sadness. The classy grey  Neptune Collonges stormed home for Nicholls winning him his first National and he has now been retired at the zenith of his career.  

However, Crockford's thoughts are with the O'Neil team who not only were collared on the line by Neptune Collonges but who sadly lost their Gold Cup hero who bowed out for the final time with Jefferson's Accordingtopete. 

The weeks to come will be dominated by reflections on this renewal. 

Out of the fifteen finishers eight were among the ten to follow given by Crockford:

Neptune Collonges - 1st 33/1

Seabass - 3rd 8/1

Cappa Bleu - 4th 16/1

Ballabriggs - 6th

Planet of Sound - 12th

Calgary Bay - 14th

Weird Al - Fell 4 out

Becauseicouldntsee - Fell 8th

Black Apalachi - Fell 8th

Organisedconfusion - Fell 8th

Crockford's dead cert Ballabriggs chances were made pay for due to a series of poor jumps and an anchoring weight. 

Here are how Crockford's other gambles faired yesterday -

Lingfield - 2.30 Royal Peculiar (3rd 5/1), 3.05 Talwar (1st 10/11) and 5.45 Prohibition (2nd 6/1)

Newcastle - 5.00 Trade Commissioner (NR)

Wolverhampton - 8.45 Alkadi (unplaced) and 9.15 Ring for Baileys (2nd 6/5)

Chepstow - 2.35 Ulch Du Lin (2nd 2/1), 3.45 Minella Stars (unplaced), 4.50 Round the Horn (unplaced) and 5.50 Tarquinius (3rd 15/2) 

Aintree - 1.45 Aland Islands (unplaced), 2.15 Sprinter Sacre (1st 1/7), 2.50 Thousand Stars (2nd 7/1), 3.25 Cannington Brook (unplaced), 4.15 Ballabriggs (unplaced) and 5.05 Dee Ee Williams (unplaced)

Crockford on the Grand National

There is no doubt that this is a quality national field and one of the best renewals that we have seen. The Gold Cup winner and probable favourite will catch some punters eyes but be careful - Synchronised like a number of the others in the field tends to hang out the back and has a bad habit of nodding on landing. The pace will be fast and jumping could find him out. Similar problems with race tactics puts us also off of the otherwise attractive Chicago Grey. No horse that comes from the back since Just So has done well in the race and that was only due to him being a mud lark and that the ground was bottomless that day.

Here are Crockford's considerations for the race:

Ballabriggs - Winner last year and probable winner this. There is nothing to put you off except for weight. Good return at Kelso.
Weird Al - Massive price for a classy but mercurial McCain horse. He could either be light up by the fences or pulled up early on. Worth an each way perhaps at 40/1.
Neptune Collonges - Quality horse on his day. Nicholls seems to have him back to some kind of form. If he travels up with the pace he could be thereabouts on the run in.
Calgary Bay - Best form for some time recently. Again a classy individual on their day - but is it their day?
Planet of Sound - Not very exposed but looks like the kind of horse that could take to the National. Certainly has the pace but may be not the stamina - worth a look at a big price.
Black Apalachi -  Second in recent years and had an excellent return when finishing second in his last start. 13 years old is old though - perhaps the chance of a last hurrah?
Sea Bass - The money has come for this unbeaten this season Irish raider for the Walsh Family. Katie certainly has an excellent chance and he will be sharp for this after his last race.
Cappa Bleu - Highly thought of a few seasons ago and appears to be back on song this season. He should out run his stablemate State of Play in this years renewal.
Organisedconfusion - Could Nina and her mount add the English to the Irish Grand National? She certainly has a good chance.
Becauseicouldntsee - Ran well at Cheltenham and is well fancied for this. Concerns could be jumping and stamina though.

Crockford's four
1 Ballabriggs
2 Sea Bass
3 Planet of Sound
4 Cappa Bleu

National Legends

Ginger McCain was and still is a National Hero - today is the first National that he will not be here with us at Aintree but he is sure to be there in spirit.  His son Donald and the stables National hero Ballabriggs can make that jump today to being stuff of legends too. Crockford will give his full assessment of the big race later.

The supporting card for the National also throws up some interesting contests with Cheltenham heroes reappearing in the form of Simonsig, Sprinter Sacre and Rock on Ruby. However, many a gamble has been lost in the past assuming Cheltenham form will convert into winning performances at Aintree. Simonsig and the imperious Sprinter Sacre should not be under too much of a threat but Rock on Ruby could be the weak link.

Crockford's Dead Cert - Ballabriggs (Grand National 4.15 Aintree)
Crockford does not think that this selection is just sentiment but a little more risky than his usual certainities. Ballabriggs looked in good form on his appearance at Kelso taking on good horses. He is clearly well suited to the course and has no question marks except the weight which he should be able to carry. Come 4.30 this afternoon with the fairytale written and even the new bust of Ginger smiling down on the winners enclosure the 14/1 you could get this morning would look massive. 


Crockford's Whisper - Dee Ee Williams (5.05 Aintree)
The Giffords are also a family who know what is to win on National day but their fancy today will not be in the National but the 5.05. Dee Ee Williams is very talented at his best and has won over course and distance before - four weeks ago at Cheltenham he had a very encouraging run which will make the strong whisper for him attractive at around 16/1.

Crockford's other gambles on National day -

Aintree - Aland Islands (1.45), Sprinter Sacre (2.15), Thousand Stars (2.50), Cannington Brook (3.25), Ballabriggs (National 4.15) and Dee Ee Williams (5.05)
Lingfield - Royal Peculiar (2.30), Talwar (3.05) and Prohibition (5.45)
Newcastle - Trade Commissioner (5.00)
Wolverhampton - Alkadi (8.45) and Ring for Baileys (9.15)
Chepstow - Ulch Du Lin (2.35), Minella Stars (3.45), Round the Horn (4.50) and Tarquinius (5.50)

Alfie's National Fairy Tale?

On Saturday all eyes will be focused on Aintree and the National but today we have the riddle of Irish prelude at Fairyhouse to decipher. Alfie Sherrin bounced back to form at the Festival back in March and may still be ahead of the handicapper to take the big prize. With excellent prices on offer for the National and the quality supporting card it is worth concentrating on the Irish punts today.

Crockford's Dead Cert - Oscars Well (Fairyhouse 2.40)
Is yet to have the opportunity this year to show his true promise of last season Oscars Well will look a big price at about 2/1 when he fulfils it this afternoon.

Crockford's Whisper - Alfie Sherrin (Fairyhouse 4.50)
He stormed up the Cheltenham hill at the Festival and should with the handicapper on his side creep into at least a place this afternoon at attractive odds of around 14/1


Crockford's other Bank Holiday gambles from around the courses:

Chepstow - Back Bob Back (2.50) and Pantxoa (4.35)
Huntingdon - Plein Pouvoir (4.40)
Warwick - Ingleby Spirit (5.05)
Fairyhouse - Oscars Well (2.40), Bat Masterson (3.10), Steps to Freedom (3.40) and Alfie Sherrin (4.50)