Four Heavy-Ground Specialists Eager to Test Conditions on Day One of Grand National Meeting

The text provides an assessment of four key contenders who excel in challenging conditions. The first contender, a striking grey son of Flemensfirth, has achieved significant success on soft ground, winning a bumper in March 2022 and emerging victorious in the Grade 2 Ballymore Leamington Novices’ Hurdle in January.

His proficiency on testing going over hurdles is evidenced by his eight successes, with five of them coming on soft ground, including a recent gritty win in the Turners Novices’ Chase. Another contender, a four-year-old, has demonstrated his ability on heavy ground, securing victories in his last two starts at Limerick and Leopardstown.

Despite a previous seventh-place finish on soft ground at the Dublin Racing Festival, his unbeaten record on heavy ground makes him a strong contender. Shishkin, a winner of the contest on good to soft ground last year, is highlighted as a dour stayer with success in soft conditions.

Despite missing the Cheltenham Festival, he enters the competition as a fresh horse. However, he will need to reverse his recent form after being beaten by Captain Tommy.

The final contender, Intellotto, has never been defeated on heavy ground, with a notable Grade 2 Denman Chase victory in his last outing. This horse’s previous success includes beating Shakem Up’Arry on heavy going in a novice hurdle at Newbury in 2020.

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