Tiger Roll's weight allocation for the 2020 Grand National made all the headlines, but three horses further down the handicap have been given a fighting chance to win the most famous steeplechase in the world. One of the things that Anibale Fly, One For Arthur and Definitly Red have in common is that they have jumped around the course and have experience of the unique fences at Aintree.
The weights for the this year's Grand National on April 4 were announced in Liverpool on Tuesday. Tiger Roll is the joint-top weight with Delta Work on 11-10. The owners are complaining that the weights were not adequately compressed, which means Tiger Roll has to give four pounds to Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Native River.
The range of weights in the National is 10-00 to 11-10. Horses allocated a lower mark have to carry overweight if they get in, which is not likely. Some 65 horses would carry 10 stone or more and the final field is 40 runners. That means if a horse is at 66 in the weights, 26 horses with a higher weight allocation have to be withdrawn for that horse to line up for the race.
The Racing Post published some key 10-year Grand National winners' trends and here's a selection:
• 10 winners aged eight to 11.
• Nine won over three miles or more.
• Nine had a top-three finish in the previous three starts.
• Nine finished in the first three over three miles and two furlongs or more.
• Nine won no more than twice during the season.
A number of horses tick all these boxes, including Tiger Roll. It was no surprise that the Gigginstown Stud runner was given top weight for his attempt to be the first horse to win three Grand Nationals in three years. It will be a tough ask, but the horse is getting better with age. Tiger Roll warrants a place and should be respected, but our three against the field have more manageable weights.
Anibale Fly has the highest Racing Post Rating (RPR) and the best Topspeed mark. The best price at the time of writing is +3300 with Bovada, but that quote might not last long. The horse has finished fourth and fifth in the last two Nationals after making the frame in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Anibale Fly's connections are bypassing the Cheltenham Festival this year and the decision to go to Aintree could bring the ultimate reward. The horse is owned by JP McManus, whose previous National winner was Don't Push It in 2010, ridden by Tony McCoy for his sole win in the race he craved most.
One For Arthur (+3300) carries 10-02, but 51 horses are above him in the handicap. However, it is feasible that more than 11 will be pulled out, in which case One For Arthur gets in. The horse won the Grand National in 2017 carrying 10-11, so in theory he has a few pounds in hand.
The Scottish-trained runner has been inconsistent since the National win. After a poor season the horse was sixth in the race last year, running on at the finish. One For Arthur has run with promise in his last two starts and at his best could be thrown in for the National at the weights.
Definitly Red will run off 10-10 and is a certain starter if connections go for the race. The target all season has been the Grand National in April. The horse has run with credit over the National fences and in a recognised trial at Haydock Park, which provides a good jumping test. The horse is currently on offer at a best price of +3300 with online bookmakers.
The handicapper has given Definitly Red a chance. The Liverpool betting public will be all over him because the colour in his name matches the kit worn by Liverpool FC, who could already be the English Premier League champions by Grand National day.
The owners have yet to confirm if Tiger Roll gets a shot at sporting immortality, but surely he runs. That means there will be no adjustment in the weights which have been fashioned to give Anibale Fly, One For Arthur and Definitly Red outstanding prospects in the 2020 Grand National.