4/12/2012 - A band of rain forecast to sweep across the west of Britain less than five days ahead of the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 14 appears to have prompted punters to reconsider the prospects of confirmed mudlark Giles Cross, who has been cut from (Betting odd Grand National) 25/1 to as short as 16/1 with many firms to carry off the glittering four-and-a-half-mile marathon showcase contest, writes Elliot Slater. 

The Victory Dartnall-trained stayer has shown all his best form when there has been plenty of give in the ground and along with a significant number of other big race entries including Le Beau Bai, West End Rocker, and  indeed the current ante-post favourite Synchronised, any easing of the ground would certainly appear to strengthen the claims of the horse who was last seen ploughing to victory in bog-like conditions at Haydock in February where he proved a neck too strong for another Aintree contender Neptune Collonges, in the stamina-sapping Betfred Grand National Trial Handicap Chase.

The 10-year-old gelding has run well on all three starts this term having landed the Southern National at Fontwell in November, before finishing runner-up for the second successive year in the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow in late-December, where he went clear entering the final mile only to be reeled in after second from home by Le Beau Bai.  

Lightly raced this term having always had the Grand National as his main objective of the season, Giles Cross is reported to be in tremendous shape and with rain possibly coming to his aid and being a horse with proven stamina and jumping ability, hopes will be increasingly high at Dartnall’s Devon yard that they might have a serious chance of carrying off one of the biggest prizes in international sport. Aintree Grand National Betting suggests that it is not always the favourite who takes the crown so it may be worth observing the underdogs.

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