Officially, it could be termed a three-horse race but try telling that to the connections of the other 21 hopefuls who will bring colour, excitement and drama to the West of Scotland this afternoon.
It is a bizarre scenario, if not unprecedented, quite unusual, for the Scottish Grand National, the flagship race of the Scottish jump season. The decision by Wiltshire trainer Alan King to go for this prize with Halcon Genelardais, who finished a close up fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, sent the handicap into meltdown.
His star stayer is rated 169, one of the highest marks ever in the race and, consequently, meant that a host of horses have been left out of the official handicap. They have no chance then? Well, not quite. Marathon races like this Coral-sponsored four-mile test can - and have - been won by horses outside the handicap. Stamina can be more important than handicap marks in such slogs.
Even so, the advantage has to lie with the three at the top of the weights. Alongside Halcon Genelardais (11st 12), there are Miko de Beauchene (10st 10), and Opera Mundi (10st 7lbs.
The first two have stamina at this level and the third seems very likely to relish the trip.
Halcon Genelardais and Miko De Beauchene had a rare old set-to in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow, where the latter squeezed home by a head. They meet this time with a 5lb swing to the top weight, and that could mean another demanding duel up the run-in.
The Robert Alner-trained Miko De Beauchene then went on to win another marathon at Haydock, and followed up with a fine second place in a highly competitive hurdle, the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival.
Those are excellent credentials but his big rival, Halcon Genelardais, can match, or maybe even better them. King's chaser followed up his second in the Welsh National with a fourth place in the Gold Cup won by Denman, with Kauto Star second and Neptune Collonges, third. There is no better form in the field and if Halcon repeats it, he will be very hard to beat indeed.
Then there is Opera Mundi, from the stable of champion trainer Paul Nicholls. Classy novices have won Ayr's National, and Opera Mundi can come into that category. The crucial factor for this six-year-old is the ground, which needs to be on the soft side.
Of those carrying more than their rating warrants, Old Benny, stablemate of Halcon Genelardais, stands out. He fits the novice profile, won the National Hunt Chase over four miles at Cheltenham, and although his trainer says this horse prefers good ground, he looks certain to run a big race.
Among others who could defy the weight disadvantage are Patsy Hall, Wild Cane Ridge, Flintoff and Philson Run. The Irish hope, Patsy Hall, has some decent form, while it would be the best result of all if Len Lungo, for so long a flag bearer for Scottish jump racing, could win with Wild Cane Ridge. He believes it is possible, especially if his horse gets into a jumping rhythm.
Flintoff is worse off with Miko De Beauchene, who beat him at Haydock, but could still have place possibilities, while few horses will be staying on at the end as well as Philson Run.
Twice in recent years, Nicholls and Ruby Walsh have been beaten by a short head, first with Cornish Rebel (2005) then Ladalko (2006). On each occasion they were burdened by this correspondent's support and they would have been again this year, but with the ground changing in the last 24 hours, I have switched to Old Benny (3.40).
It has all come right for this consistent stayer. He can beat Halcon Genelardais and Miko De Beauchene. Earlier, Takeroc (3.00) can win the Scottish Champion Hurdle for the Nicholls team. Selections Ayr 3.00 Takeroc 3.40 Old Benny Newbury 2.15 Zaham 3.25 Muthabara 4.00 Confront
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article