Grand National ‘the biggest of the lot’ – Henderson

Last Updated 11 Feb 2021 | By Enda McElhinney | Commercial content | 18+ | Play Responsibly | T&C Apply | Wagering

Nicky Henderson counted six entries amongst his hopefuls for the 2021 Randox Health Grand National as the Seven Barrows supremo admitted the Aintree spectacular remains the biggest prize in jumps racing.

Henderson has been training horses for four decades but the Grand National ranks as the leading omission from his glittering CV.

Dual winner Tiger Roll headed the 106 entries revealed last week for the Aintree showpiece on April 10th, while Henderson pin-points Ok Corral and Beware The Bear as his main hopes.

‘The biggest of the lot’

Henderson started training in 1978 having been assistant to the illustrious Fred Winter previously. His list of achievements matches almost anything his peers can claim but the Grand National remains elusive.

His very first contender was in 1979 with Zongalero and it turned out to be something of a false dawn as he finished second behind Rubustic. That, so far, remains Henderson’s closest shave in terms of winning the Aintree marathon.

The Tsarevich also finished second to Maori Venture in 1987 and, despite the long and continuing famine, Henderson’s desire for Aintree glory remains intact.

“It’s the race isn’t it? It’s the biggest of the lot,” he said. “We’ve been involved in it for years and there is something very special about it – it’s very historic and the whole meeting has a terrific atmosphere.

“My whole life has revolved around National Hunt racing so, not surprisingly, winning the Grand National would be very special.”

National success proves elusive

It’s not just at Aintree where Henderson has found Grand National success out of reach. The Seven Barrows handler has failed in his quests for Welsh, Scottish and Irish Grand National glory too, leaving his heavily-laden trophy cabinet bereft of any of the recognised ‘major Grand Nationals’.

With 68 Cheltenham Festival winners on this record and victories in almost every Grade 1 prize British jumps racing has to offer, Henderson concedes Aintree glory would be the icing on the cake.

“We’ve been lucky in most races, everything has fallen into line apart from in the Nationals,” he added.

“We managed the American one last year but that’s a bit of a fudge over two miles and five furlongs. If you’re going to win any I’d rather have Aintree.”

Beware the Bear Cheltenham Win

Cheltenham Festival: Horse Racing – Cheltenham Festival – Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, Britain – March 12, 2019 Jeremiah McGrath on Beware The Bear celebrates winning the 2:50 Ultima Handicap Chase REUTERS/Eddie Keogh/Ritzau Scanpix

Same again for leading duo

Beware The Bear won the 2019 Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and was considered a leading player for the National last spring prior to the abandonment of the Aintree meeting.

Ok Corral has some excellent winning form in staying chases and is again pointing firmly towards Merseyside in April. He races in the iconic JP McManus-hoops and they are leading the Henderson challenge in 2021, while they could be joined by any of a quartet that includes Pym, Valtor, Gold Present and 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Santini.

For now, Henderson admits the last-named may have to wait for his Aintree opportunity.

“The two most likely to run are Beware The Bear and Ok Corral, who are the two that were due to run in it last year. They are being aimed primarily at Aintree,” Henderson added.

“There is no doubt that one day this is where Santini will go, but the objective this year is Cheltenham and he wouldn’t do both. He is there as an alternative in case anything goes wrong before then. It’s a big possibility next year for him and I do think he’d be suited by the race.”

Enda McElhinney

Enda McElhinney is a racing writer with a growing portfolio of work on both British and Irish racing, with a particular fondness for National Hunt racing. While he acknowledges there have been many great runners; there has only ever been one Denman.
@scoobsy

Latest News

Aintree waiting game for Kitty’s Light

Punchestown Racing – Winter Festival Day 1, Punchestown Racecourse, Naas, Kildare 14/11/2021 The Liam And Valerie Brennan Florida Pearl Novice Steeplechase Keith Donoghue on Vanillier jump the last fence to win Trainer Christian Williams remains hopeful that Kitty’s Light will be amongst the final field for the Grand National at Aintree on April 13, suggesting […]

Cromwell ready for strong Aintree challenge

Punchestown Racing – Winter Festival Day 1, Punchestown Racecourse, Naas, Kildare 14/11/2021 The Liam And Valerie Brennan Florida Pearl Novice Steeplechase Keith Donoghue on Vanillier jump the last fence to win Trainer Gavin Cromwell believes he has a strong Grand National team ahead of the world’s most famous jumps race on April 13. Cromwell sent […]
18+ | Commercial Content | T&C's Apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
grandnational.org.uk is an independent professional comparison site supported by referral fees from the sites which are ranked on this site. The sites and information we present are from companies from which grandnational.org.uk receives compensation. This compensation may impact the rankings of the sites. Other factors, including our own opinions, your location, and the likelihood of signing up, may also impact how the ranking of the sites appears to a particular user. grandnational.org.uk cannot and does not present information about every betting/casino site or betting/casino site offer available.