2009 Grand National Winner - You Read It Here First

Following the leg injury of my previous National tip, St Johns Castle that is keeping him out of training for the season I've had to find a new tip (please do not consider this me deserting St John, if he comes back ok from his injury, I still think he can win a National. Even moreso now because many National winners have a back story of a bad injury!).

Anyway the new tip is Black Apalachi (above pic, nearside, no 7, green & blue silks) & he made mince meat of the formidable National fences on Saturday gone, in the Becher Chase winning by 30 lengths on Heavy ground, in the pouring rain. He also did it the hard way, from the front. What impressed me though was his attitude. He jumped from fence to fence & enjoyed the obsticles which is half the battle at Aintree.

Yes he ran in the 2008 National and got no further than the 2nd fence but that was his first time over the jumps I believe and the experience obviously hasn't put him off any judging by his recent performance. It was also his first time in England (he's trained & raced in Ireland) which may have unsettled him. Horses are funny creatures like that :S

He is generally at 20's but scout about and you'll get 33-1. He wouldn't want it too firm but with the trend for watering these days, I can't see the ground posing much of a problem come April. If you're worried about his fall last year, don't be. Its a relatively common trend for a horse to fall in its first National but win it the next year especially in the last few years:- Red Marauder (2001 winner), Amberleigh House (2004 winner), my beloved Hedgehunter (2005 winner), Silver Birch (2007 winner) cases in point. In fact the more I think about it the more positive that fall sounds! Also if he's up with the leaders through the race he can avoid trouble. Always a bonus at Aintree.

My advice? Fill your boots folks.

Ciao for now

TJ