Donn McClean

YOU are allowed (nay, compelled) to back at least two in the Grand National: Vieux Lion Rouge and Pleasant Company.

Vieux Lion Rouge ran a cracker in the race last year as a seven-year-old. He was well-beaten into seventh place in the end, but he jumped the fences really well and travelled with the leading group until they rejoined the racecourse proper and faced up to the second last fence. From there he faded, he just kept on over the last two fences.

It was probably his youth more than his stamina that told in the end. Seven-year-olds really do struggle in the Grand National. No seven-year-old has won the race since Bogskar won it in 1940, and no seven-year-old has even been placed in over 40 years. So it was surprising that the handicapper dropped him 4lb for that effort.

He should be better equipped this year for the Grand National as an eight-year-old than he was last year, and David Pipe’s horse proved his strength when he stayed on well to win the Becher Chase over the big fences back at Aintree in December on his debut this term. He looked booked for third or fourth place that day as they met the Elbow, but he stayed on best of all to snatch victory close home.

Raised 4lb for that, back to his 2016 Grand National mark of 146, he again stayed on strongly to land the Grand National Trial at Haydock in February. He and Blaklion had it between them from a long way out, but it was Vieux Lion Rouge who proved to be the stronger, getting home by three lengths in the end from Nigel Twiston-Davies’ horse, the pair of them clear.

From a handicapping point of view, both Vieux Lion Rouge and Blaklion are well-in today. Blaklion was raised 4lb, so he is 4lb well-in, and he is a player in the race for sure, another eight-year-old, an RSA Chase winner who gets to race today off a mark of 152.

Vieux Lion Rouge was raised 9lb for winning at Haydock. Because he had already been given an extra 3lb for the Grand National to allow for the ‘Aintree factor’ - if there is an ‘Aintree factor’, surely there should be a ‘Cheltenham factor’ and a ‘Fairyhouse factor’ and a ‘Punchestown factor’ too - he is only 6lb well-in. He is not alone in carrying less weight than the handicapper would have given him this morning had he been allowed to reassess him, but 6lb well-in is nicely well-in indeed.

As an eight-year-old who has run nine times over fences, Vieux Lion Rouge has that good mix of experience and potential for further progression that gives him a nice profile for a staying handicap chase. Add that to the fact that he jumps these fences well, that he has run two cracking races on the two occasions on which he has run over this unique track, and the case for him is quite compelling.

Pleasant Company is probably a little less experienced than ideal, with just six runs over fences under his belt, but what he lacks in experience he makes up for in potential.

As well as that, he has proven himself in big-field handicaps. Malcolm Denmark’s horse finished placed in three big handicap hurdles at Fairyhouse and Punchestown at the end of the 2014/15 season, on his first three runs for Willie Mullins. Then at last year’s Punchestown Festival, he won a big-field three-mile handicap chase on just his fourth run over fences.

On his debut this season, he ran well to finish fourth in the Thyestes Chase, a race that is often a good pointer to the National. Then last time, he won the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, another race that can be a good pointer.

Ruby Walsh gave him a superb ride at Fairyhouse that day, he stalked Thunder And Roses all the way down to the final fence, then delivered him with a well-timed challenge that saw him home by a half a length from Mouse Morris’ horse, with the pair of them clear.

The ground was heavy at Fairyhouse that day, and it was soft at Gowran Park for the Thyestes Chase. Pleasant Company is by Presenting, and one of his most impressive runs for David Pipe was when he made all the running to win a bumper at Ascot on good ground. He should be even better on the better ground that he should encounter today.

The handicapper has given him a Grand National rating of 149, which is just 1lb higher than his Irish mark, and that is fair. He has the potential to go beyond that mark and, with Willie Mullins in his corner and Ruby Walsh on his back, he is an exciting contender.

Some of the main firms, including Paddy Power, Betway and BetVictor, are betting each-way to six places, so best to bet with one of those firms.

Recommended: VIEUX LION ROUGE, 11/1 (generally) 1 point each-way, PLEASANT COMPANY 16/1 (generally) 1 point each-way,