Grand National Weights: Timeform Ratings Revealed

The Druids Nephew, who has run only four times for Neil Mulholland, winning at Huntingdon and second to fellow Grand National entrant Sam Winner at Cheltenham before shaping better than the result in both the Hennessy at Newbury and the Cleeve Hurdle, tops Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings for the 2015 Crabbies Grand National on 180.

On Tuesday, Timeform Jumps Handicapper Phil Turner said: “The Druids Nephew remains a handicap chaser to be interested in: his Cheltenham form could scarcely be stronger and since then he’s done remarkably well to get involved in the Hennessy after an early mistake and he went through the Cleeve as though in good heart.”

“He may or may not be a ‘National horse’, but he’s certainly a well-handicapped one.”

Others near the top of Timeform’s weight-adjusted ratings are Gold Cup hopeful Many Clouds (177+), Classic Chase third Shotgun Paddy and Kim Muir winner Spring Heeled (both 176). Current ante-post favourite Shutthefrontdoor, widely regarded as the horse likely to be AP McCoy’s ride in his final Grand National, is on 175p.

Turner added: “Shotgun Paddy and Spring Heeled are definite National types and have come out favourably at the weights. Shotgun Paddy’s connections will surely be heartened by what appears to be more give in the Aintree fences these days, though Spring Heeled has seemingly been campaigned with solely the National in mind since the Kim Muir and he could yet have more to offer.

“It’s also worth pointing out that Back In Focus (175+) would have been top ahead of The Druids Nephew on his very best form over fences. We’ve taken a cautious view for now, though, given he’s only very recently returned from a near two-year absence.”

Timeform weight-adjusted ratings for the Grand National:

180       The Druids Nephew

177+     Many Clouds

176       Shotgun Paddy, Spring Heeled

176?     Double Ross

175p     Shutthefrontdoor

175+     Back In Focus

175       Burton Port, Broadway Buffalo, Cause of Causes, Godsmejudge, Monbeg Dude, Theatrical Star

175?     Ballycasey, Mountainous, Super Duty

174       Chance du Roy, Renard, Rocky Creek, Vintage Star

Selected others:

173       Balthazar King, Carlingford Lough

172       Lord Windermere, Merry King, Pineau de Re, Sam Winner, Teaforthree, Unioniste

171       Alvarado, Oscar Time

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