Grand National five to watch: #1 Cappa Bleu
Published:Sunnyhillboy and Seabass are proof that if a horse produces a strong performance in the Grand National then the following year if they are to do so again, they will be handed a tougher task by the handicapper.
For finishing second last year, Sunnyhillboy will have to run off a mark 10lb higher this time, while third-placed Seabass has been allocated a mark 5lb greater, despite seemingly fading off the lesser weight 12 months ago.
This is not something that can be said of Cappa Bleu, who would arguably have won if ridden a little closer to the pace. He was eighth clearing the last fence in 2012, but ran on to take fourth.
Despite this each-way placing, Cappa Bleu will not have to endure the same weight hikes as those to finish just ahead of him at Aintree last year and in fact looks extremely well treated off a 2lb lower mark.
Cappa Bleu is 10/1 to win the Grand National and he does not only have big-race form at Aintree.
He has also finished third in a Welsh Grand National, triumphed at the Cheltenham Festival when winning the Foxhunter Chase in 2009 and competed in a Hennessy Gold Cup.
These facts indicate that despite Cappa Bleu being relatively inexperienced in terms of his number of chase starts, he can cope with the rough and tumble of the Grand National.
Looking at his all-round profile, Cappa Bleu does tick most of the boxes and in reality he will reappear with stronger claims this year than when fourth previously.
What is additionally worth noting is that the 11-year-old has competed in 16 races in his career and in all 13 that he has completed, he has finished in the first four.
A victory for Cappa Bleu would also end a drought stretching back over 100 years for a Welsh-trained winner of the Grand National.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
