The Grand National will be the “greyest” in living memory with seven grey runners accounting for more than 20 per cent of the 34-runner field.
Only three greys have won the National since it was first run in 1839; The Lamb in 1868 and 1871, Nicolaus Silver in 1961 and Neptune Collonges in 2012. But with Irish National winner Intense Raffles, Kandoo Kid, 2023 runner-up Vanillier and Hyland all prominent in the betting, there is an outside chance that greys could fill a number of the places.
Previously five greys have run in the race twice, the last time in 2002, but that was when there were 40 runners. This year, with Duffle Coat having squeezed into the field in the 34th berth, the National trumps anything which has gone before.
The once-a-year punters, who come out in force on Grand National day, have a penchant for greys and in the 177th running of the race, they will be spoilt for choice. Ladbrokes go as short as 5-2 for a grey winner, 5-2 a grey to lead over the last, 12-1 greys to finish first and second and 50-1 greys to fill the first three places. It is only 6-1 that they all complete the course.
Alex Apati, Ladbrokes spokesman, said: “With grey horses making up over 20 per cent of the likely field, this is without doubt the strongest ‘grey’ challenge for the Grand National in living memory.
“The betting public love grey horses, the great Desert Orchid being the most famous example of a supremely popular grey racehorse, and every year backing a grey racehorse is voiced as one of the most popular ways to pick a horse amongst Grand National punters, so we are bracing ourselves for an avalanche of bets on this strong team of greys.
“Make no mistake, if grey horses fill the first three places at 50-1 it will be a very grey day indeed for British bookies.”
Paul Nicholls, who trained Neptune Collonges, continues to give an upbeat assessment of Kandoo Kid, the second shortest-priced British runner after Iroko. “When he finished third, running on, in the Topham Chase over the fences last year I said we’d train him for two races this year; the Coral Gold Cup, which he won, and the National. He had a nice run round Newbury last time and I think he’s fairly handicapped because we’ve minded him.”
Were Kandoo Kid to win it would put Nicholls only £100,000 behind his former assistant Dan Skelton, who was just pipped by Willie Mullins last year, in the trainers’ title, which would make the last few weeks of the season interesting. “Putting the title aside,” added Nicholl, “it would be nice to win the National again with another grey.”
Perhaps most, however, is riding on the novice Hyland’s shoulders. Nicky Henderson has been training for nearly 50 years and has never come closer to winning the race ...
