Bullish owner says 33-1 Grand National outsider will ‘love the ground’ as bad weather could force others to skip race

8 months ago 64

A 33-1 Grand National outsider more famous for winning at Cheltenham Festival is strongly fancied to claim the world’s most famous race.

Tiger Roll won two Grand Nationals in the iconic Gigginstown colours of owner and Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary.

Delta Work loves sloppy going and he may get just what he wants in Saturday’s Grand National[/caption]

That wonderhorse was also a Festival winner – and now Michael’s brother and racing expert Eddie thinks they have another star who can do the double.

Especially as the grim weather looks like having a massive impact on the ground – and possibly forcing rivals to run elsewhere.

O’Leary said former Cross Country Chase winner Delta Work, who is as big as 33-1 for the £1million Aintree race, will ‘love the ground’.

Delta Work beat Tiger Roll in a thriller at the Festival in 2022 and O’Leary reckons the going, which is soft, heavy in places, on the National course, is just what he needs.

He told irishracing: “I’d say of ours Delta Work would be the one.

“He’s a good horse and he’ll love the ground.

“It was a pity he didn’t get to run in Cheltenham after they called the Cross Country off as horses were trained for that to come forward for the National, but we are where we are now.”

O’Leary revealed current National top weight Conflated could miss the race if the ground remains the same.

And similar could apply to top owner Ronnie Bartlett’s Stattler and Galvin.

Despite both being guaranteed of a run in the National, Bartlett said they’ll ‘definitely’ go elsewhere if conditions don’t improve.

He told the Racing Post: “Unless the going description starts with good to soft, I’ll definitely not be running them.

“They’re in good shape and, if it was good to soft, I’d say they’d have a good chance, but it’s just typical how the ground is.

“The ground stopped us at Cheltenham when the Cross Country race was cancelled too.

“I’d say Galvin could go for the Scottish Grand National and we’ll maybe wait to run Stattler at the end of the season in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.

“If not, we’d look at something at the Punchestown festival for them.”

The news came as the final confirmations stage revealed who remains in the hunt for the £500,000 first-place prize.

And it will be a nail-biting wait to see if Harry Redknapp’s Festival winner Shakem Up’Arry gets in.

He is currently 39th on the list with the top 34 getting in the race.

Bookies think the horse will be one of the most backed in the run-up to the race, with punters taking advantage of the non-runner no bet offer.

Christian Williams’ supreme stayer Kitty’s Light is another bookies are fearing.