Having been lucky enough to have won the Grand National with Neptune Collonges two years ago, I go into this year’s race with three decent chances of doing so again.
The 13-year-old Tidal Bay is probably my No1 hope because he is well handicapped on his Grade One form and I don’t see his age as a barrier to success.
His third under top weight in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow showed us that he is as good as ever this season. He is a different horse to the one who unseated in this race in 2011, when trained by Howard Johnson, and a better one, too.
Rocky Creek missed the Gold Cup with a bout of ringworm but he is fine now and I can see why many people fancy him to run a big race tomorrow. He comes into this race fresh and has put up two excellent displays this season. Last time out he finished second to the Gold Cup third The Giant Bolster in the Argento Chase at Cheltenham, when giving him 5lb. We have always thought of him as a National horse and I can see him enjoying it around Aintree and running a big race.
And finally, don’t rule out the chances of Hawkes Point, especially if the ground turns soft.
He finished second in the Welsh National in December, stamina is no concern for him and we have freshened him up since a below-par run at Haydock in February.
Betfair.com/paulnicholls
