Irish trainer Willie Mullins may have been a dominant force in national hunt racing over the past twenty years, but the Master of Closutton has only managed to saddle the Grand National winner on one occasion so far, with Hedgehunter in 2005.
This year, Mullins heads to Aintree with eight runners in Saturday’s big race, and we look closer at his intended runners below as he looks to win the most famous race in the world once again.
I Am Maximus - 7/1
Paul Townend takes the ride on I Am Maximus, who won last year’s Irish Grand National and has been in solid form this season, including winning the Bobbyjo Chase last time out - a race that historically has been a good pointer for Aintree.
This will be his first spin over the Grand National fences, but if he takes to them, he could go very close for owner JP McManus.
Meetingofthewaters - 8/1
An eye-catching performance in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival has seen Meetingofthewaters well-backed for the National.
Purchased by JP McManus before that Cheltenham run, he’s a horse that appears to be on an upward trajectory and tops many people’s shortlist for Saturday.
Mr Incredible - 12/1
Incredibly talented on his day, Mr Incredible put in an excellent weight-carrying performance in the Midlands Grand National last month, his only run of the season so far.
He unshipped jockey Brian Hayes at the Canal Turn last year, but if he’s in the mood and with more luck in running, it would be no shock to see this duo go close.
Capodanno - 33/1
Capodanno will team up with jockey Keith Donoghue and aim to improve on last year’s effort when he was pulled up before the final fence.
He’s had a better campaign this year, winning the Cotswold Chase in January before placing 4th in the Ryanair at the Cheltenham Festival over an inadequate trip, but will this marathon trip prove too long?
Adamantly Chosen - 40/1
A winner last time out to qualify for this race, Adamantly Chosen arrives here having struggled with big-field handicaps over the last couple of years, and it’s difficult to see him bucking that trend here.
Another who would prefer drying ground and connections will likely be pleased with him completing on Saturday.
Stattler - 40/1
Stattler will be partnered by leading amateur jockey Patrick Mullins. The partnership combined for success in the National Hunt Chase at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival, indicating that the marathon trip of the National could be within his range.
However, he has question marks over his jumping to answer and would likely prefer better ground than the anticipated soft going on Saturday afternoon.
Glengouly - 66/1
Glengouly is an interesting runner who has had two excellent second-place runs this season, including in the Thyestes at Gowran Pak in January on heavy ground.
Still unexposed, he was far too keen in the Plate at the Cheltenham Festival, but this trip could be the making of him from a lightweight on deep ground.
Janidil - 100/1
Last seen when down the field in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, Janidil arrives at Aintree with questions to answer.
With just one win in over three years, it would be a shock if Janidil was in contention going over the final fence on Saturday.
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