Grand National News |
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Two Serious Chances for Wylie Grand National Victory |
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The couple have two serious chances of bagging one of the most coveted trophies in world sport, with the remarkable veteran Tidal Bay (14/1) and the talented stayer Prince de Beauchene (20/1) both amongst the favourites for this year’s renewal of “the world’s greatest steeplechase”.
There would surely be fewer more popular winners than the 13-year-old Tidal Bay who remarkably is the highest rated horse in the field and consequently will be saddled with top weight of 11st 10lbs. Trained by Paul Nicholls – who sent out Neptune Collonges to a 33/1 success in the big race two years ago – Tidal Bay has been something of an enigma throughout his career from the time when he was trained by Howard Johnson, for whom he won the 2008 Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival as well as the Cleeve Hurdle and the Maghull Novices Chase. Since joining Nicholls in 2011 he has triumphed in the Bet365 Chase at Sandown and then, as a 12-year-old won the Grade 1 Lexus Chase at Leopardstown in December 2012.
Third in the Welsh Grand National this winter and a brave second in the Irish Hennessy Gold Cup last time out in February, Tidal Bay is a freak and even at his advanced age might just be good enough to win under top weight.
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The Wylies also have a hot prospect in Prince de Beauchene, trained in Ireland by Willie Mullins, who won the Grand National in 2005 with Hedgehunter. The talented 11-year-old has been trained specifically for this race all season, and is reported in tremendous shape ahead of the big event.
