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Scottish Hopes for the 2019 Grand National on Edinburgh Derby Day

BouncerBill

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Scottish Hopes for the 2019 Grand National on Edinburgh Derby Day

"One of the many Grand National fences at Aintree" (CC BY-SA 2.0) by David Holt London

Hibs are across town at Hearts for the third Edinburgh derby of the season on Saturday, 6 April. After the dust has settled on another chapter in the bitter rivalry between the two teams, another big sporting occasion in Britain takes centre stage.

Some 220 miles south of Tynecastle – where Hibernian haven’t won in 10 visits across all competitions since May 2013 – is Aintree racecourse. That is home to the Grand National, the world’s most famous steeplechase and the biggest betting event in the UK.

There is some Scottish interest in the feature handicap over four-and-a-quarter miles. Here are the main hopes trained in Scotland for the 2019 Grand National.

One For Arthur
Lucinda Russell trained One For Arthur to glory at Aintree two years ago from her Perthshire stables in Arlary. He’s had injury problems since, but resumed racing this season with the ultimate aim of going back to Merseyside to regain his title.


One For Arthur jumped well most of the way round in the 2017 Grand National, but has lacked fluency in two starts this term. He unseated his rider in both the Many Clouds Chase over the Mildmay course at Aintree early on and four out in the Peter Marsh at Haydock Park.

It looks as though it will take some comeback from One For Arthur to regain the Grand National crown, but bookmakers still respect him at 33/1. The form of his Aintree win was advertised by Pleasant Company last year, who was a head second to Tiger Roll (5/1 favourite to win again) and is also still available at 33/1 for the race this season.

Lake View Lad
About 30 miles north across the Firth of Forth from Hibs’ home ground Easter Road is Kinneston, a small Perthshire village near Kinross where Nick Alexander trains his horses. He looks to have Scotland’s best chance of a Grand National winner in 2019 courtesy of improving nine-year-old Lake View Lad.

This grey gelding has progressive form this season after landing a Listed contest at Newcastle and then the Grade 3 Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Lake View Lad has since run a fine race off top weight to finish third in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
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"Lake View Lad is set to carry the Trevor Hemmings silks in the 2019 Grand National" (CC BY 2.0) by Henry Hemming

The way he finished off that race suggested the step up in trip would suit him. While Lake View Lad doesn’t have the experience One For Arthur has of the unique spruce covered fences at Aintree, he is guaranteed a run.

Fellow Trevor Hemmings owned horse Vintage Clouds (16/1), who finished a place ahead of him in the Ultima, isn’t certain to get into the Grand National. The pair would meet at Aintree over the unique spruce covered fences on the same terms. You can claim a free Grand National bet on Lake View Lad at 20/1 through many bookmakers on FreeBets UK.

Captain Redbeard
In the Scottish Borders near Selkirk, Stuart Coltherd could send out Captain Redbeard for another try at the Grand National. The 10-year-old got no further than the infamous Foinavon fence in last year’s race and is better known as a Haydock specialist.

That is something Captain Redbeard has in common with potential 2019 Grand National top weight Bristol De Mai (33/1), who was a respectable third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last time out. Quite a few forfeits are needed to ensure Captain Redbeard makes the cut, but that is possible.

He’s as big as 50/1 in places for Aintree and has also tackled the National fences twice in the Grand Sefton completing on both occasions. If treated on the pick of his form, he should do his Scottish connections proud.
 

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