There’s no doubt that the Grand National is not only the highlight of the jump season, but the biggest spectacle of the National Hunt calendar – being intensely watched by racing fans all around the world.
However, when the starting entries take to the field, one thing is noticeable – the lack of greys. Since the National was inaugurated in 1839, only three grey horses have won the race: The Lamb (1868 and 1871), Nicolaus Silver (1961) and Neptune Collonges (2012).
With Grand National 2022 betting starting to hot up ahead of Saturday’s showpiece at Aintree, we thought we’d take a look at the grey horses who could well add their name to the history books.
Snow Leopardess
The mare has a remarkable back story, and not only could Snow Leopardess make history as the fourth grey to ever win the National, she would also be the first mare to win since Nickel Coin in 1951 – and the first dam, too.
After racing in Auteuil in September 2017, she suffered an accident on her way back from France, and took time to recover – as well as giving birth to a filly, Red Panda, who was sired by Sir Percy. She may be lightly raced in comparison to her field rivals, but has three wins from three wins this season already – including a trip over the Aintree fences in the Becher Handicap Chase.
With the Irish contingent travelling to the National in full force again, Snow Leopardess is the Brits’ best chance of success.
Farclas
And talking of Irish connections, Farclas from Gordon Elliott’s Cullentra Stables is slightly less fancied at 25/1 but stands a good chance. The eight-year-old is in reasonable form – and of the 10 chases he’s run, the eight-year-old has won three and placed in a further three.
While Farclas finished behind stablemate Run Wild Fred last time out at Navan (Troytown Handicap Chase), he hasn’t raced since then and will be feeling fresher than most, when he takes on the Aintree circuit. He has experience too – finishing fifth in last year’s race, albeit 30 lengths behind the winner, Minella Times.
Not only that, but like former stablemate Tiger Roll, he too is a Triumph Hurdle winner.
Coko Beach
The second grey from Elliott’s yard to be racing – Coko Beach will be making only his third appearance in the UK, with two previous outings at Cheltenham to his name. While history is against him – a seven-year-old hasn’t won the National since 1940 – Coko Beach put in a decent performance at Punchestown in the Grand National Trial, but has been beaten by rivals including Any Second Now and stablemate Death Duty in recent races.
However, Elliott will be looking to equal the record set by both Fred Rimell and Ginger McCain as the most successful trainer in national history – handling four victories.
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While these three greys are the pick of the bunch when it comes to the latest Grand National odds, the others looking to make history are:
All odds correct at the time of writing
