'Special mare' Snow Leopardess primed for Grand National after making cut

The prospect of seeing Becher Chase winner Snow Leopardess line up in next month's Randox Grand National at Aintree is nerve-racking and exciting for trainer Charlie Longsdon, with the popular grey guaranteed a run following Tuesday's acceptance stage.

Snow Leopardess will bid to emulate Nickel Coin, the most recent of 13 mares to win the big race back in 1951, with regular rider Aidan Coleman back aboard the general 14-1 shot.

She landed a Listed event at Exeter last month under Jonathan Burke, with Coleman suspended on the day, and her backstory has earned her many followers, having given birth to a Sir Percy filly – set to go into training in the autumn – while off the track between September 2017 and November 2019.

The ten-year-old, owned by the Fox-Pitt family, is the shortest-priced contender from Britain and moved up to 38th among the 78 horses left in the race, with Longsdon believing she has "an each-way chance".

Randox Grand National racecard and betting

Longsdon said: "I'm delighted she will get in and the National has been the plan. She's been great since Exeter, she'll do a piece of work in Lambourn at the end of this week and jump the National-style fences then she'll be ready to go.

"She's a special mare and although it will be nerve-racking, it will also be very exciting. There's been plenty of attention in her as her career has gone on and let's hope she gives her followers something to cheer about.

"We'd like a little bit of juice in the ground and hope she has an each-way chance. It's a big day for the yard and we're very much looking forward to it."

Last year's Scottish National winner Mighty Thunder and Cloth Cap, who was sent off 11-2 favourite for this race in 2021 but was pulled up, are others who will make the final field should they be declared at the 48-hour stage.

Phoenix Way, trained by Harry Fry and owned by JP McManus, is the last horse guaranteed to make the field in 40th position at this stage for the race on April 9.

Fry said: "Phoenix Way was okay thankfully after his fall at Kempton and has very much been trained for the National. Mr McManus was talking about this race for him last summer and we've been really pleased to get him back on track this season.

Phoenix Way: last horse guaranteed a run in the NationalCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He won well at Ascot on his penultimate start and although the National is a totally different test altogether, it has very much been a long-term idea for Mr McManus. We'll be trying our best to pull it off."

Cross Country Chase winner Delta Work is now vying for favouritism with several firms and a best price 12-1 with three bookmakers, while fellow market principals Any Second Now, Escaria Ten, Enjoy D'Allen and last year's winner Minella Times remain in contention. Chris's Dream heads the weights for the £1 million contest.

The weights were raised 5lb with Melon, Chantry House and Franco De Port among those scratched, as well as Conflated and Galvin who had already been taken out prior to the latest deadline.

Gordon Elliott, who has won the race three times, has eight horses guaranteed a run and six other entries, including Death Duty, who needs four horses to come out.

Blaklion, the final horse to make the cut for last year's National, was 48th on the list at this stage last year. The Henry Daly-trained Fortescue fills that position this time with Classic Chase scorer Eclair Surf in 47th.

It will once again be an anxious wait for Blaklion's connections in 42nd, with Poker Party and Deise Aba others in the low 40s.

Grand National betting

Sky Bet: 10 Delta Work, Escaria Ten, 12 Any Second Now, 14 Enjoy D'Allen, Snow Leopardess, 20 Minella Times, Run Wild Fred, 22 Farclas, Longhouse Poet, 25 bar

Read more on Aintree:

Seven Cheltenham Festival absentees with a score to settle at Aintree

'It's all to play for' – Paul Nicholls primed for Aintree and title challenge

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday