Novice chaser makes appeal in depleted Irish Grand National at 12-1

Max Flamingo
5.00 Fairyhouse, April 18
1pt each-way at 12-1

This time last week I had a look at the BoyleSports Irish Grand National and thought there could be some value to be had considering how many of the main protagonists were engaged at Aintree.

Farclas was a non-runner there and will doubtless have a big chance, but Stattler has since been taken out, Corach Rambler will go to Sandown and a whopping 20 of the entries ran on Saturday.

Even if the likes of Anibale Fly didn't have a tough race in the National, they still had to deal with parading and the atmosphere as well as travelling there and back, so I'd rather look for a fresh horse.

Full Time Score will be towards the top of many people's lists as he looked to win with something in hand at the track over 3m in February, but he's up 6lb for a length success and has just the four chase starts under his belt.

Novices have a good recent record in the race though, with Lion Na Bernais, Shutthefrontdoor, Thunder And Roses, Our Duke and Burrows Saint all winning in the last ten years, while Niche Market (2009), Butler's Cabin (2007), Numbersixvalverde (2005) and Davids Lad (2001) were also eligible for novice chases when winning, and Max Flamingo is the one I like.

He's more hardened after seven chase starts, including two in big-field handicaps, and he's been competing admirably against high-class horses too.

Max Flamingo: better than he's been able to show this seasonCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

He was a staying-on third to Gabynako over 2m5f in November and fourth in a Grade 1 behind Fury Road, Run Wild Fred and Vanillier at Leopardstown a month later.

In between those runs he was a good second to Lieutenant Command at this track despite getting outpaced. That performance over 2m5f has presumably had his connections thinking of this race ever since.

He was sent off 11-2 for the handicap Birchdale won at the Dublin Racing Festival and was racing prominently before he unseated his rider (it wasn't a bad mistake, he just reached for it slightly and his rider was pitched forwards). He wasn't given a hard time in a handicap chase won by Discordantly afterwards and enjoyed the perfect prep for this when beating Bacardys at Thurles last month.

Racing Post Ratings show he's been really consistent this season – 141, 139, 140, 140, 149 – and, although it's hard to say he's thrown in off 144, he's shaped like a marathon trip would bring out plenty of improvement numerous times.

His trainer Francis Casey is the son of Peter, of Flemenstar fame, who part owns the horse and you can guarantee no stone has been left unturned by a small stable with a big chance in the race.

Denis O'Regan, who has enjoyed a fantastic season with big wins aboard Riviere D'Etel and Beacon Edge, has ridden him the last twice and has ample experience in staying handicap chases.

Max Flamingo has already come in for support this week, but he still represents value at 12-1 and will be shorter on the day. He has an excellent chance of providing connections with a fairytale success.

Hold fire on bet365 Gold Cup bets

While on the topic of staying handicap chases, last week I promised I'd take a look at the bet365 Gold Cup once a market was out and my wish has been granted.

Christian Williams could run Eider and Scottish National winner Win My Wings as well as last year's second Kitty's Light, while Enrilo, first past the post in last year's bet365, missed Ayr for this and remains attractively weighted.

They're all rightly at the top of the market, while the other one who piqued my interest was Quick Wave for Venetia Williams. She's up 9lb after blowing her field apart at Ludlow last time following a wind operation, but would have to be a doubtful runner as all her form is on deep ground.

The more I think about it the more I think it's a race which isn't worth overcomplicating and Corach Rambler simply looks tailor made for it.

Corach Rambler (purple) looks the ideal type for Sandown successCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

What he did when winning the Ultima at Cheltenham was truly extraordinary and it could be an 8lb rise won't be enough to stop him.

That contest hasn't worked out brilliantly but that would be expecting a lot in this sort of race and it's hardly looking bad, as the fourth ran with credit in Saturday's Betway Chase and the National winner Noble Yeats was back in ninth.

Corach Rambler is a hold-up horse who only ever seems to do enough, so we don't know how good he is, while those sort of horses seem to enjoy this test.

Just A Par, Hadrian's Approach and Tidal Bay all won this race coming from behind and Corach Rambler reminds me quite a bit of Poker De Sivola, who also won this under exaggerated waiting tactics in 2011.

I'll monitor the race in the coming weeks but will probably end up supporting Corach Rambler on the day. It might not make for comfortable viewing but I think it could pay to keep the faith with a team who have enjoyed a spectacular season.

Playle's NAP

Last Royal
4.25 Cheltenham, Wednesday
2pts win

Available at 3-1 at the time of writing, Last Royal could go off much shorter and will be very tough to beat. A brother to Honeysuckle, he's bumped into smart horses like Ree Oka, Complete Unknown, Gentleman At Arms, Brave Kingdom and Ballyblack this season. The race he won last time may have been poor but an RPR of 133 suggests he has plenty of ability and the fact connections come here to compete off 122, instead of going to Aintree as they initially planned, is noteworthy.

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