Fastorslow amongst national contenders heading into new jumps season

While the world of racing remains focused on the flat season, it can pay to cast an early glance at the ante-post betting landscape for the upcoming Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National.

The quest to conquer both events has historically been a rarity, but Noble Yeats’ impressive exploits have ignited the possibility of more contenders targeting the double.

Noble Yeats etched his name in the record books in 2022 as the first seven-year-old to clinch Grand National victory since World War II. While doubts lingered about his capacity to hold his ground among the elite in the Gold Cup nearly a year later, his endurance became his asset, enabling him to valiantly secure a fourth-place finish. This stamina was also evident in April’s National, where he once again sealed an impressive fourth-place spot.

A peek at the frontrunners on grandnational.org.uk hints at the prospect of another audacious double attempt as Noble Yeats evolves into a nine-year-old. Priced at 33/1 for each race, his ambitions are echoed by at least three other contenders who may share the same aspirations for the upcoming season.

Corach Rambler

One contender that stands out is the most recent Grand National victor, Corach Rambler, who is 20/1 favourite to secure consecutive triumphs at Aintree, despite the added weight he will carry. While the decision to also challenge for the Gold Cup remains uncertain, it’d be a logical progression after consecutive victories in the Ultima Handicap.

Fastorslow

A closer look at recent National victors reveals a pattern: both Corach Rambler and Noble Yeats used the Cheltenham Festival’s Ultima Handicap as their warm-up race for the Grand National, prompting curiosity about other contenders who did similar. Although Corach Rambler claimed back-to-back Ultima victories in 2022 and 2023, these wins were hard-fought. Fastorslow emerged as a formidable competitor, missing out on victory in March’s Ultima by just a neck.

Fastorslow’s debut over a longer distance showcased his mettle, validated further by victory in the Punchestown Gold Cup in April as a 20/1 underdog, outlasting formidable opponents including Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs.

With odds at 20/1 for the Gold Cup and 25/1 for the National, Fastorslow emerges as an intriguing prospect as the new jumps season unfolds.

Gerri Colombe

At only seven years of age, Gerri Colombe already boasts an impressive record of nine victories from ten races. A narrow setback in the Brown Advisory remains the sole blip on his record, offset by his triumphant return with a commanding 7½-length victory in April’s Mildmay Chase, making a resounding statement on his Aintree debut.

The roadmap for Gerri Colombe’s future will ultimately be decided by Gordon Elliott, and the consensus among betting sites is clear. Positioned as the Gold Cup’s second favourite with enticing odds of 8/1, it’s an offer that might be too attractive to resist, particularly considering he’s never started a race with bigger odds than 6/4.

While the prospect of any of these contenders achieving a dual victory remains a long shot, the feat has been a reality before. L’Escargot managed it in the 1970s, while Golden Miller’s 1934 double victory in both races still stands as an unmatched achievement.