Grand National News 23675y |
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Can JP McManus win his second Grand National?Thursday 9th April 2015 2l143n |
Legendary gambler JP McManus tried for years to win the Grand National. His first ever runner Deep Gale only got as far as the first fence in 1982 as he ploughed through the obstacle and landed head first. Laura’s Beau went close in 1992 when third behind Party Politics and other place efforts with Clan Royal and King Johns Castle with various heartbreak involving Clan Royal who had Liam Cooper lose his whip in 2004 and loose horses take him out at Becher’s in 2005.
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Finally, he broke his stranglehold in the race in 2010 with Neptune Collonges in the final strides.
This year, McManus attempts for his second win with four likely contenders at this moment. His main contender looks to be Irish National.
Cause Of Causes has been well backed recently and looks an able second string for McManus. He broke his maiden over fences at the eleventh attempt but did it in style when taking the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham beating Broadway Buffalo showing relish for the stamina test. He does have strong handicap form when placed behind Rockyaboya at Leopardstown and Spring Heeled in last year’s Kim Muir but the main concern is his jumping.
Wyck Hill looked a real stayer when winning last year’s Eider Chase at Newcastle but fell in the same race last time out and is another with jumping concerns whilst his final entry Alderwood boasts being a dual Festival winner but those wins came over the minimum distance of two miles and his stamina is a major doubt
