My Grand National Selections: Gavin Cromwell To Come Out Victorious

The biggest horse race in the world is only a couple of days away, and while everyone anticipated the big day, everybody has their choices set, whether that's because of the name, colours, or picking on their best merits, everyone has a selection, and in a hot 2026 renewal, I personally have it narrowed down to four.

Iroko, Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero, Jonjo O’Neill Jr, 11/1

Of the JP McManus charge, it seems that small Malpas stable and trainers Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero will have two of the top in the market in Iroko and Jagwar, both carrying the JP McManus silks. Both who ran in the Ultima at Cheltenham looked poised for a Grand National run at the start of the season, and Jagwar who only looks to be getting better with distance could be a sneaky selection as the pick of Mark Walsh, however an unlucky Iroko could bounce back a year on and take the Grand National glory at the second time of asking.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with Iroko’s run last year in the national, he stayed on well to the line, snatching fourth place after bolting home from far out, and with a better position this year, another year of maturity, and his stout staying ability, he for me has an exceptional chance. Although stablemate Jagwear leads the market between the two, Iroko seems like the safe bet, and given last year's run, it could only get better for him. Perhaps some juice in the ground would be a help, but with no major rain guaranteed from now until Saturday, fast ground may make a second appearance in a  row in the Grand National, meaning for Iroko, his staying ability may be tested to the max.

Despite putting in a poor display in the Ultima, scoping dirty is a good enough excuse for the poor run, and barring that, his form all season has impressed, and a big run is definitely in him. Having finished a close second behind King George winner The Jukebox Man, he stayed on well at Haydock Park, and is certainly a horse who will stay the trip and will finish strongly. Of a group of strong owners charge, for me Iroko has a lot to offer, and with course form, another year of maturity, and exceptional staying ability under a nice weight of 11st 1lb, under Jonjo O’Neill Jr, he looks poised to be in it to win it at the last france.

Lecky Watson, Willie Mullins, Sean O’Keefe, 20/1

It’s obvious that the former Brown Advisory winner Lecky Watson has been trained for this race ever since the season started. A messy John Durkan at Punchestown is easily written off given how the race turned out. The Savills was never a race he was intending on winning, and the Bobbyjo was simply a chase of extremely heavy ground which he hates, and giving half the field almost a stone in hand. At 20/12, Lecky Watson seems one of the best handicapped in the race, and also looks a very dangerous opponent given how impressive he was at Cheltenham a year ago.

His staying ability isn’t 100% proven given it will be his first try over three miles, however with how he finished in the Brown Advisory, and with how quickly the ground is drying up, if Sean O’Keefe can truly get him to switch off, he has to be a danger, and with a love for a quickly ran race, it will be well in his favour, and a quick ground national is something that is mapped out for him. With a very nice racing weight of 11st 2lbs, Lecky Watson seems to be the Mullins runner who looks out of favour, however the form tells not everything is how it seems, Lecky Watson has been aimed at this for some time, and everything is coming together for him.

Perceval Legallolis, Gavin Cromwell, Harry Cobden, 20/1

What was once a very fancied horse last year before falling early on, Perceval Legallois for me is a horse which has massively flown under the radar and has a massive, and I mean massive run in him. Having gone off anywhere from the 10-14/1 range last year, he was one of the well fancied horses, notably the pick of Mark Walsh, this year, JP McManus’ future rider Harry Cobden takes the ride, and looks a very big threat on paper.

Having fell last year it isn't the ideal tell tale sign that he will run a big race, however ever since, Cromwell has limited him  to only two runs, both simply just prep runs, and with promising he looked last year,it is hard to see him not having a massive run in him yet. During last season he was one of racing's best big field handicappers in Ireland, and has again a very nice racing weight this year. Although two runs doesn't tell you much, we do know what he can do, and with the handbrake off on Saturday, if he settles, managed to stay on well like he does under Cobden, and jumps the fences with fluency, what was promised last year may end up coming out on Saturday. Govern how he has been campaigning this year with such little talk, it is hard to ignore they think the best is still to come.