Grand National 2016 Fact Files |
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The Druids Nephew 9-11-0 |
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Owner: The Stonehenge Druids
Grand National record:
2015 The Druids Nephew (FELL 26th)
Trainer: Neil Mulholland
Grand National record:
2015 The Druids Nephew (FELL 26th)
Form
316/623166/4F2P/12751F-662
The Druids Nephew was strongly fancied for last year’s Crabbie’s Grand National, after winning the Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, and was travelling well in front before falling five fences from home around Aintree.
He has been lightly-campaigned this season and his best effort came last time out when a 10-length second to The Last Samurai in the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster on March 5th. That is one of several races considered to be a trial for National entrants, and the form has a rock solid look to it.
The gelding commanded a price of £40k as a four-year-old at the Doncaster Sales, three days after winning an Irish point-to-point.
Bought by Andy Turnell, who trained Maori Venture to win the 1987 Grand National, The Druids Nephew switched to Mulholland when Turnell suffered a bout of ill health.
Jumps race record
The Druids Nephew has a near 25 per cent strike rate over fences, and is a strong travelling sort who has a touch of class. Jumping is not always his strong suit, but he is very good when everything clicks and arguably would have gone close had he stood up in last year’s renewal.
Holding status as a 16/1 shot in the ante post Grand National betting, The Druids Nephew is among the leading contenders to reign on Merseyside.
Starts: 22
Wins: 4
2nd: 4
3rd: 2
Career win and place prize money: £104,435.
