Henry de Bromhead had a quiet Cheltenham Festival by his high standards, allowing his Champion Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup titles to pass back into the hands of Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins respectively. De Bromhead is too good a trainer to have another quiet week at Aintree Festival and he will be desperate to end the week with two of the major crowns of the week, including his second Grand National triumph.
The Irishman has several horses that are capable of winning the event as well as champion jockey Rachael Blackmore at his disposal, who also will be out for further success. Here are a couple of horses that could be primed for success at Aintree Festival out of his yard as he attempts to hit back at the battle at the top of jumps racing.
Envoi Allen
Envoi Allen was one of the De Bromhead horses that did enjoy success at Cheltenham Festival, winning the Ryanair Chase. De Bromhead now faces a big decision whether he sends his charge to compete in the Marsh Chase. Envoi Allen is one of the leading contenders in the Marsh Chase betting odds to win the crown. Alternatively, De Bromhead could choose for Envoi Allen to take the step up to the Grand National. He has not raced over four miles before so it would be an outside bet in the tips for Grand National 2023.
Envoi Allen is back and lands the Ryanair! pic.twitter.com/cDBohhtrE4
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 16, 2023
Based solely on pedigree, he would have a chance to compete in the race, although he would have a better chance of winning the Marsh Chase. There is strong competition in the race from Fakir d’Oudairies, who has won the event in the last two seasons. However, Envoi Allen proved a point at Cheltenham Festival in the Ryanair Chase, defeating Shishkin and Hitman to take the crown with a fine performance. Blackmore got the best out of her charge on the day, and will certainly fancy her chances against a similar field at Aintree.
Ain’t That A Shame
De Bromhead’s best chance at the Grand National is likely Ain’t That A Shame, although he is an outsider in the betting odds at 25/1. The Grand National is usually a wide-open race, although Noble Yeats appears to have the favour of the bookies for a second-straight win with odds as low as 8/1 for him to triumph. Therefore, it might take a special performance to topple the reigning champion. De Bromhead has a good record in the National after winning
the event in 2021 with Minella Times as Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the race.
HISTORY HAS JUST BEEN MADE
Rachael Blackmore is the first woman to win the Grand National 🙌 pic.twitter.com/hPnrfhu8nU
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) April 10, 2021
Ain’t That A Shame will come into the National fresh off an impressive win at Gowran Park in the Holden Fleet Management Beginners Chase. He was the leading contender in the race, but blew away the rest of the field with a comfortable victory, finishing six lengths ahead of his nearest rival. Aintree will provide a tough test of his mettle, especially on his first appearance in the race and the racecourse. De Bromhead and Blackmore’s experience might just give him an edge to allow the Irishman to claim jumps racing most prestigious title again.
