Henderson has gone close to winning the race on a number of occasions since
the early 1980’s but the highest profile race in the sport has
always alluded his grasp. This year, as well as current 20/1 shot
Triolo D’Alene, the Seven Barrows handler is set to run the former
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Long Run (14/1) (pictured), the classy Hunt Ball
(66/1), and the stayer Shakalakaboomboom (33/1), ninth in the 2012
renewal behind Neptune Collonges.
Of the Henderson quarter Triolo D’Alene
is the one who has already learned how to win over the Aintree fences
having announced himself as a potential Grand National winner when
galloping to a memorable success in last year’s John Smith’s
Topham Trophy over two-and-three-quarter-miles of the National
course, staying-on bravely at the finish to deny Alan King’s useful
Walkon by three-quarters-of-a-length.
After finishing third in a hot Ascot
handicap on his seasonal bow the gelded son of Epalo showed he is
really going places with a brilliant victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup
at Newbury in November where he stormed away from Rocky Creek to land
a famous success. Ideally suited by decent ground, Triolo D’Alene
didn’t race during the winter and reappeared in the Cheltenham Gold
Cup last month where he was under pressure and beginning to fade when
badly bumped at the second from home.
With a view to the Grand National,
jockey Tony McCoy didn’t punish his mount at Cheltenham once his
chance had gone, a factor that could prove highly significant if the
seven-year-old is in the firing line at the business end of
Saturday’s
£1 million contest.