All eyes will be
on Aintree for the Grand National on April 14 as a new champion will
be confirmed at the event. One For Arthur won the prestigious race
last season with a fine performance, but injury has forced him to
withdraw, ending his opportunity to end the crown. His absence will
open up the opportunity for the rest of the field to etch their place
in history. There are a number of talented runners in the field,
including horses that triumphed at Cheltenham Festival last month.
Total Recall raced at the Festival, but put forward a poor
performance at the Gold Cup, whereas Tiger Roll was outstanding in
the Cross Country Chase, defeating Cause of Causes among a strong
group of competitors.
As a result,
it’s always best to consult the form guide when
at Timeform.com before placing a punt for the National. The race
can be unpredictable, but there will be one competitor – Minella
Rocco- desperate to prove a point after being pulled from the race by
trainer Jonjo O’Neill, despite
being considered one of the leading contenders for the crown among
leading bookmakers ahead of the contest. The bay gelding will face a
challenge to find his best form, although he does have proven
pedigree looking back over the course of his career.
Minella Rocco
made his breakthrough in the 2015/16 National Hunt campaign, making
his mark at Cheltenham Festival. The Irish horse secured
the National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup, with Derek O’Connor in
the saddle. He started the event at the back of the field before
beginning his surge three fences from the end of the race. The bay
gelding beat out future Gold Cup winner Native River by
one-and-three-quarter lengths, highlighting his potential for the
future with a brilliant run.
He returned to
the action for the new campaign and suffered a narrow loss in the
BetVictor Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, despite being considered the
leading contender for the victory. Minella Rocco lost momentum in the
midway stage of the season, falling for the first time of his career
in a meet at Aintree before unseating Aidan Coleman at the Irish Gold
Cup. The preparation for the Cheltenham Gold Cup was not ideal, but
O’Neill’s charge still had a puncher’s chance at the major
event of the Festival.
Noel Fehily kept
the Irish horse at the back of the field for the start of the race
before beginning a push three fences from the end of the meet. He
tried to close the gap to Sizing John, but could not match the pace
of his rival, losing out by two-and-three-quarter lengths. Minella
Rocco finished strong to place second ahead of Native River, which
suggested that he could do damage over a greater distance at Aintree
in the National.
However, O’Neill
opted to pull the bay gelding from the action to preserve him for
the next campaign. His return to the track did not go to plan at the
Irish Daily Star Chase, placing in fourth well off the pace in
Punchestown, failing to rise to the occasion. He then endured an
unhappy return to Cheltenham, pulling up in the BetVictor Handicap
Chase. There was an opportunity for Minella Rocco to hit back at the
Leopardstown Christmas Chase, and although there was a slight
improvement in his performance he was still far from his best,
sitting back in fourth place.
For the second
year on the bounce, Minella Rocco failed to complete the Irish Gold
Cup. On this occasion, he fell at the last fence but was not in
contention for the crown. The plan for O’Neill was to put his
charge forward for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but the weather at the
event forced the trainer’s hand once again, withdrawing the Irish
horse due to conditions on the ground. There is undoubted potential
with the bay gelding, highlighted by his performance at Cheltenham in
2016. Minella Rocco has failed to record a victory in eight races,
with his form deserting him during the last campaign. He still has
solid odds to win the National and the distance and the course could
play into his hands, although it will still take a flawless
performance to secure the crown.
