Picking a horse
that fell last time out is perhaps not the most logical place to
start when looking at the Grand National, but despite that, Total
Recall looks to be a horse with a great chance of winning the big
events. He was in the process of running a great race in the
Cheltenham Gold Cup before coming down and can make amends at Aintree
by taking the world's most famous steeplechase.
We have seen a
lot from Total Recall this season, and all of it has been very
positive. From winning the Ladbrokes Gold Cup earlier this season to
running very well in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, every piece of form has
pointed to a big run in the National. Even though he
fell in the Gold Cup, there was a lot to take from that race and
a lot to be positive about. He was just making a move and coming into
contention when falling, and he looked ready to stay on up the hill
and claim a place. That would have represented a serious piece of
form, and only that fall is preventing Total Recall from being a
clear favourite for the race with the bookmakers.
The experts over
at Timeform have put the list of runners and riders together and
they have also given Total Recall a favourable mention, alongside
many other horses. Like every single year, the 2018 Grand National
looks to be hugely competitive and many horses are in with a chance
of winning. With the exception of Blaklion, Irish trainers are
dominating the front of the betting, with Total Recall, Anibale Fly
and Tiger Roll all towards the head of the market.
Much is spoken
about with regards to who the race favourite will be, although that
is something that won’t be decided until the day. If this year is
like any other, we will see a big market move on the day that will
push one horse to favouritism. Total Recall may have done that after
Cheltenham was it not for the fall he had, but many punters will not
want to back a horse who fell last time out.
However, if you
can forgive him that mistake and give him another chance, then every
other part of his recent form this season gives him a huge shout, and
shows he should be the race favourite. From winning over hurdles in
Ireland, to coming over to the UK and winning
the Ladbrokes Gold Cup, every race has shown us that he is up to
the Grand National test.
Had he
maintained his challenge at Cheltenham, and stayed on his feet then
there is no doubting that he would have finished in the top five,
with a top-three finish looking likely. That piece of form would have
instantly propelled him to clear favourite for the race, and would
have been enough to leave him head and shoulders above the opposition
going into the race.