Grand National 2013: Imperial Commander aims for historic win
Grand National 2013: Auroras Encore claims Aintree success
(about 7 hours later)
Imperial Commander will be aiming on Saturday to become only the third horse to win both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National.
The 66-1 chance Auroras Encore gave jockey Ryan Mania and trainer Sue Smith a shock victory in the 2013 Grand National.
Only Golden Miller in 1934 and L'Escargot in 1975 have previously achieved the feat.
It was Mania's first ride in the race and the pair finished strongly to win by nine lengths.
At 12 years old, Imperial Commander is the same age Red Rum was when he won his third Grand National in 1977.
They finished ahead of Welsh-trained pair Cappa Bleu (12-1) and Teaforthree (10-1) with Oscar Time fourth and Rare Bob fifth.
Sam Twiston-Davies will ride Imperial Commander, trained by his father Nigel, for the first time in the 2013 race.
The race favourite Seabass, ridden by Katie Walsh, faded late on.
Imperial Commander outpaced Denman and Kauto Star to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2010, but was forced to miss this year's race because of a lung infection.
Twiston-Davies senior, who has already trained two National winners with Earth Summit in 1998 and Bindaree in 2002, is confident that the horse's age and carrying the race's top weight will not be a problem.
"I'm not worried about the statistics. Red Rum won it as a 12-year-old, so there's no reason why we can't do it," declared the trainer.
"I think he's as good as ever."
Aintree has introduced significant changes for the 166th running of the Grand National in an effort to improve safety following two equine fatalities in each of the last two Nationals.
A more forgiving plastic material, rather than timber, is being used to make up the core of the fences, which are then covered with spruce.
The distance of the race has also been shortened, with the start moved 90 yards away from the packed stands and a crowd of 70,000 people, in an attempt to create a calmer atmosphere for the jockeys and horses.
On Friday, 25 jockeys were given one-day bans - to be served later in April - after two false starts in the Topham Chase.
Welfare groups have welcomed the fence changes, although the RSPCA remains concerned about the test posed by Becher's Brook, while World Horse Welfare wants the field size reduced from a maximum 40 runners to 30.
The Twiston-Davies stable, who were devastated by the death of Little Josh following the Topham Chase, feel Imperial Commander will be well prepared for Saturday.
"I've schooled him over a few National replica fences at home and he seemed to take to them very well," said Sam Twiston-Davies.
"There is a bit of pressure, but he's the class horse in the race."
Favourite On His Own, who fell in last year's Grand National, could enjoy the conditions on Saturday according to trainer Willie Mullins.
"He seems to have arrived at the track in good order and I don't think the drying ground will be any harm to him."
Ted Walsh saddles two major contenders in Seabass and Colbert Station.
Seabass was third in last year's race and is once again partnered by the trainer's daughter, Katie Walsh, but dad Ted is realistic about his chances this time round.
"When you are second in the National you are going to get 5lb or 6lb [handicap]. I thought he [Seabass] got plenty in 6lb for being third," he told At The Races.
"Realistically horses of his calibre don't win the National with 11st 7lb, 11st 8lb or 11st 9lb on their backs. Something around 10st 7lb or 10st 8lb is more likely to win it.
"I've no worry about the trip for Colbert Station. He jumps really well and is a big power horse. Weight won't bother him and he jumps really well.
"He's been a brilliant jumper of fences and touch wood I won't put the mockers on him. He's very accurate at what he does and he loves jumping.
"He's quicker through the air than Seabass and I hope he's just as careful."
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls broke his National duck with Neptune Collonges last year and this time saddles Join Together, What A Friend and Harry The Viking.
Nicholls said: "What A Friend has been out of form, so we need to bounce back. He will like the ground.
"Harry The Viking has been out of form a little bit, but did run well in the four-miler [National Hunt Chase] at Cheltenham last year.
"Join Together has been trained for the race and ran really well here in the Becher Chase when only beaten by a nose. It looked that day as though another circuit would suit him well."
The Evan Williams-trained Cappa Bleu was fourth last year and is another contender while Chicago Grey is also touted to go well.
