Lake View Lad is a bonny bet to give Scotland her second Grand National in the space of just three years.
With 30 fences to be negotiated the winner of the world’s most famous steeplechase must be a sound jumper.
The journey to Aintree glory – four miles, two furlongs and 74 yards – is a gruelling one, so only stout stayers can prosper.
And in a 40-runner handicap where – in theory – the horses should cross the line together, the victor will also make light of the weight allotted by BHA handicapper Martin Greenwood.
Lake View Lad, trained by one-time London stockbroker Nick Alexander by the shore of Loch Leven is a safe conveyance with the stamina to see out the distance – and the raw ability to carry 11st 1lb to success.
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Although he fell twice in his days as a hurdler, the nine-year-old son of Oscar has completed all his 12 races over the larger obstacles, winning four of them.
Following his purchase by former Blackpool Tower owner Trevor Hemmings, a National winner with Hedgehunter (2005), Ballabriggs (2011) and Many Clouds (2015), Yorkshireman Henry Brooke’s mount got off to the perfect start for his new owner in the valuable Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle in December.
The grey followed up in the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day, before taking on 23 rivals for the three-mile Ultima Handicap Chase at last month’s Cheltenham Festival.
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Lake View Lad ran a fine third to Beware The Bear, with Hemmings’ Vintage Clouds ahead in second, but with Magic Of Light (seventh), Up For Review (eighth) and Singlefarmpayment (13th) in his wake. Today’s rivals Minella Rocco and General Principle were pulled up.
The way my selection kept on up the Cheltenham hill suggests this afternoon’s marathon will see him in his best light, and Lake View Lad is taken to reverse placings with the runner-up for a place in horseracing immortality.
The spotlight will naturally be on Tiger Roll, who 12 months ago clung on by a head from Pleasant Company, with teenager Bless The Wings third and Anibale Fly in fourth, ahead of Valseur Lido (eighth) and Vieux Lion Rouge (ninth).
Gordon Elliott’s returning champion has much to recommend him, despite a 9lb climb in the handicap.
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His form this year – including a fourth score at the Cheltenham Festival – stamps him out as a better horse than in 2018, but his cramped odds at the head of the market represent a stumbling block.
While 2017 National hero One For Arthur, having failed to complete in two outings this season, comes with risks attached, Anibale Fly, on the back of another placed effort when second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and last April’s Scottish Grand National winner Joe Farrell and Ruby Walsh’s mount Rathvinden will rightly have their supporters.
Walk In The Mill took to the fences in the Becher Chase her last December and has claims of making the frame, along with Step Back (left), home by 13 lengths in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown last spring.
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Newsboy's 1-2-3-4
1. Lake View Lad
2. Tiger Roll
3. Step Back
4. Walk in the Mill
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