premium
Grand National punters pile into Vanillier as Gavin Cromwell looks for 'big step forward' in Bobbyjo on Saturday
Vanillier: as short as 8-1 for Aintree after sustained supportCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Vanillier was cut to as short as 15-2 favourite for the Randox Grand National on Thursday and Gavin Cromwell is hoping last year's runner-up can repay the punters' faith by bouncing back to form in Saturday's Bobbyjo Chase.
The grey has failed to shine in three starts this season but that has not put off supporters who recall how well he coped with the National fences at Aintree last April.
The nine-year-old jumped the last in eighth before storming up the run-in under Sean Flanagan to go into second at the Elbow but was unable to reel in Corach Rambler.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Justin O'HanlonReporter
Conor FennellyReporter
Copymore inGrand National festival
- 'They had no chance and kept others out' - Davy Russell believes qualifying races for the Grand National should be introduced
- Bookmakers report Grand National turnover as 'flat' compared with last year
- 'It's a different feeling, it's unique, it's the Grand National' - Aintree hero I Am Maximus gets a huge homecoming welcome
- 'It's going to be hard to get off this high' - David Maxwell dreaming of Aintree return following Grand National sixth
- 'We knew this would be the case' - earlier start time behind drop in viewing figures for Grand National says ITV Racing's Ed Chamberlin
more inGrand National festival
- 'They had no chance and kept others out' - Davy Russell believes qualifying races for the Grand National should be introduced
- Bookmakers report Grand National turnover as 'flat' compared with last year
- 'It's a different feeling, it's unique, it's the Grand National' - Aintree hero I Am Maximus gets a huge homecoming welcome
- 'It's going to be hard to get off this high' - David Maxwell dreaming of Aintree return following Grand National sixth
- 'We knew this would be the case' - earlier start time behind drop in viewing figures for Grand National says ITV Racing's Ed Chamberlin