Four things worth noting on the final day of 2019 Grand National meeting

Mullins and Elliott just sublime

The Irish had an exceptional Friday at Aintree with powerhouse trainers Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins each saddling a brace of winners.

That's hardly unusual. The pair dominated last year's Randox Health Grand National as the Mullins-trained Pleasant Company sandwiched the Elliott challenge of winner Tiger Roll and Bless The Wings in third.

The pair will be responsible for 15 of the 40-runner field in Saturday's showpiece and it would be a surprise should none of their representatives make the frame.

The Grand National is not the only interesting race on the card, though, and Elliott could add to his personal Grade 1 haul with Apple's Jade in the Ryanair Stayers' Hurdle (3.40).

Apple's Jade: the wondermare failed to sparkle in the Champion Hurdle but has a stellar chance to bounce backCredit: Patrick McCann

Something seemed amiss with the wondermare in the Champion Hurdle last time and her previous form over three miles gives her a stellar opportunity of bouncing back.

A meeting for firsts

Kalishnikov went close in multiple Grade 1 races for the last year and his Manifesto Novices' Chase victory on Thursday was a fitting first top-level success for trainer Amy Murphy.

Such omens may bode well for trainers Olly Murphy and Tom Lacey, who remain without victory at the highest level and look to have a pair of likely candidates for top honours in the Mersey Novices' Hurdle (2.25).

Tom Lacey: hoping Kateson can put on a winning show

Brewin'upastorm, the representative of Murphy, arrives off the back of a fourth in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and Saturday's assignment rates a less-competitive contest.

In his bid for Grade 1 laurels Lacey is reliant on Kateson, who has shown glimpses of top-class form and should be suited by the step back to two and a half miles in a winnable event.

Initial try over three miles

A recurring theme of Grade 1 staying hurdles in recent years has been horses unlocking improvement when stepped up to three miles for the first time.

No finer example exists than in last year's Ryanair Stayers' Hurdle won by Identity Thief, who ran out a ready winner to beat Wholestone by five lengths on his first try at the distance.

If The Cap Fits: has always shaped as if he's a stayerCredit: Cranhamphoto,com

If The Cap Fits appeals as a contender who could undergo a similar fate this year. The Harry Fry-trained seven-year-old has long shaped as a stayer in the making and it will be fascinating to see how he fares under the extra yardage.

Tiger bids to end a hoodoo

The Grand National has been a graveyard for previous winners but last year's hero Tiger Roll aims to set the record straight by retaining his title.

The popular nine-year-old has looked as good as ever this season and there is a genuine buzz that Gordon Elliott's stable star could emulate Red Rum – the last National winner to score the following year in 1974.

Many have tried and failed in recent years, but Tiger Roll, carrying the hope and admiration of his legion of supporters, could go off as one of the shortest National favourites in history.

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