Money continues to pour in for Giles Cross to win the 2012 Grand National and trainer Victor Dartnall is hoping rain continues to fall on Aintree.
A wet Easter Monday and heavy showers since then have turned the ground soft on the Grand National, which will be right up the street of Giles Cross.
As a result, he has been cut to 10/1 third favourite by
Coral behind 6/1 market leader Synchronised and 8/1 chance Junior.
A highly consistent sort, the 10-year-old has won the Southern National and the Haydock Park Grand National trial this season, while also finishing second in the last two Coral Welsh Nationals and the 2011 Eider Chase. He was third in the 2010 Midlands Grand National.
With a weight of just 10st 1lb, which means Paddy Brennan takes over in the saddle from regular jockey Denis O’Regan, Giles Cross looks particularly well handicapped.
Dartnall said: “The horse is in great form, we are delighted with him. He has jumped a couple of National-style fences beautifully at home. Paddy was very pleased and we are looking forward to Saturday.
“The softer the ground the better for him. He’s a heavy ground horse, which is one reason why he has only raced 16 times. He doesn’t get his conditions that often.
“If he gets his ground he’ll run well. He travels, jumps, stays, he’s straightforward, very genuine and not a complicated ride.”
The other horse backed with Coral today has been According To Pete, who is now a 25/1 chance and is another that will relish testing conditions.
