FOLLOW THE VAN

Paul Jacobs is keeping faith with Gavin Cromwell and last year's Grand National runner-up

- Paul Jacobs

Although the Lincoln Handicap and the start of the Flat season enter the fray during the fourth month of the year, the Randox Grand National makes April it’s very own month.

With the race changes at Aintree this year, actually gaining a posse in the final line-up is going to be even more valuable than ever.

Penning this piece a month in advance of the great race is always a challenge when trying to find the possible winner without knowing the going or indeed if one of my picks will make the final 34. However, I think that a short list of four is probably about right and I have taken the liberty of adding a first reserve as well!

1. VANILLIER

Obvious, well maybe, but many punters and pundits alike have gone slightly cold on his chance since what appeared to be a below-par run in the Bobbyjo Chase when he finished some 14 lengths off I Am Maximus.

I made that run some 6lb off his second to Kemboy in the same race in 2023. However, it was worth noting that he was ridden a totally different way this time around, being prominent from the off, (raced in midfield 12 months ago) and to my eyes was merely outpaced by the winner, taking a nice blow afterwards. This was just a stepping stone to the big race on April 13 and that is all that matters. It is worth reiterating that he has a 9lb pull for being beaten a closing two-and-a-quarter lengths in the big race last year and to my eyes I am not sure Corach Rambler, coming to the end of his tether, had much left in the tank.