On His Own far better Grand National bet than popular stablemate

Owner Graham Wylie is responsible for two of the early market leaders for the Grand National, but On His Own’s chances of success look far superior to those of stablemate Prince De Beauchene.

Reports suggest that trainer Willie Mullins is buoyant over both of their prospects and believes that they are better than Grand National legend Hedgehunter, who won the race in 2005 and was second to Numbersixvalverde the following year.

This is a big positive towards their chance, but it is hard to get too excited about Prince De Beauchene, especially at ante-post odds of 8/1.

It is 99.99 per cent certain that he will not go off shorter on the day and his chances look far bleaker than last year.

A victory at Fairyhouse last February propelled Prince De Beauchene to Grand National favouritism, but a late injury robbed him of the chance to run at Aintree.

It may also have robbed him of his best chance of victory as he has not been treated so leniently by the handicapper this time around.

Prince De Beauchene is up 12lb in the weights and although not impossible, winning of this mark will be tough.

There are certainly others among the favourites with far stronger claims and one of which is On His Own at 12/1, who arguably has a better chance than when falling in the race last year.

On that occasion, he was travelling as well as anything when falling at Becher’s Brook on the second circuit and returns this year off an identical weight and more importantly, with greater experience.

He is still a relative novice, having only had seven chase starts in his career, and this lack of racing should mean that he remains open to improvement.

A triumph for On His Own would also mirror the achievements of West Tip, who fell on the second circuit at Becher’s Brook in 1985 before returning to win the Grand National in the following year.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date