2022 Grand National: can Rachael Blackmore repeat last year's Aintree heroics?

With Rachael Blackmore confirmed to reunite with last year's Grand National-winning hero Minella Times on Tuesday, we assess what chances the pair have in repeating the feat in Saturday's (5.15) showpiece event . . .

What has Rachael Blackmore's form been like?

Not too shabby.

Despite missing the early part of the season after breaking a leg, Blackmore has racked up 51 winners in Ireland and a further five from a select group of rides in Britain.

She couldn't quite match last year's tally of six winners at the Cheltenham Festival, but still scored three times – all in Grade 1s – on the imperious Honeysuckle, the fortuitous Bob Olinger and in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on the emphatic A Plus Tard.

Rachael Blackmore with the Cheltenham Gold Cup after her stunning win on A Plus TardCredit: Edward Whitaker

She arrives at Aintree on the highest of highs, and her ever-growing popularity continues to reach new heights. Her exploits last year saw her win the World Sport Star category at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards, while a clutch of other accolades followed in Ireland.

Only four jockeys have won back-to-back Grand Nationals since the second world war and another victory in the world's most famous jumps race would cement her status as a true sporting star and a household name across the country, if she isn't already.

Grand National: confirmed runners and riders for Saturday's big race

What about Minella Times?

Minella Times has not been quite as impressive and has failed to complete on both of his starts since last year’s triumph after falling in the John Durkan on his seasonal reappearance before being pulled up by Blackmore in a Leopardstown handicap in February.

The John Durkan was one of the strongest races of the season form-wise and Minella Times was carrying 18lb more at Leopardstown than when second in the same race last year en route to Aintree.

Minella Times: 'sure to be popular' in the betting on SaturdayCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The likes of Pineau De Re, Auroras Encore and Red Marauder all fell in their Grand National-winning seasons, while Don’t Push It, who provided AP McCoy with his long awaited first win in the race, was also pulled up on his final run before the National.

However, no winner of the race this century has won without at least one completion during the season prior to the marathon contest.

How difficult is it to go back-to-back?

Since the second world war, only the legendary Red Rum and the recently-retired Tiger Roll have won the race in successive years.

Ginger McCain's three-time winner made it back-to-back wins in 1974 as a nine-year-old, the same age as Tiger Roll was when completing a more recent double in 2019.

Minella Times is also a nine-year-old heading into his own title defence and the Aintree icons have shown it can be done, but the rarity of the accomplishment emphasises how difficult the task will be.

What might the biggest obstacle be?

Aside from the imposing Aintree fences themselves, the biggest hindrance to Blackmore's chances has to be the fact that unlike last year, when Minella Times was number 35 in the field carrying 10st 3lb, this time round the gelding is 21lb higher and topweight in an arguably stronger contest.

With only seven horses carrying more than 11st 5lb to victory since 1945 and six of the last eight winners carrying no more than 10st 13lb, it is going to be a tough task for Minella Times to defy his significant rise in the weights.

Who will win the 2022 Grand National based on previous trends?

Bookies' view: 'If she makes it a double, it'll be another terrible result'

David Stevens, Coral
"At this stage Snow Leopardess looks as if she could be sent off favourite on Saturday afternoon. Her name, her great back story and her form figures of 111 this season make her a likely sort for the public to latch onto, but Rachael Blackmore and Minella Times are sure to be popular as well, and a repeat success for the pair would undoubtedly be costly for bookies, but provide priceless publicity for the sport."

Nicola McGeady, Ladbrokes
"The public could be split between the heartwarming story of Snow Leopardess and the might of Rachael Blackmore. Last year, Blackmore made history and cost us a fortune in doing so, and if she makes it a double it'll undoubtedly be another terrible result for the bookies. The Blackmore effect hasn't kicked off just yet, but come Saturday you can be sure the money will start to pour in."

Paul Binfield, Paddy Power
"Snow Leopardess is the one punters have latched on to and as things stand we would be more concerned about her than Minella Times. That said, the latter has also been fairly well supported and no doubt that is due to the Rachael factor as she has now become the go-to jockey for backers in the same way AP McCoy used to be."

5.15 Aintree Saturday: Randox Grand National racecard and betting

Randox Grand National (Aintree, April 9)

Ladbrokes: 8 Delta Work, Any Second Now, Snow Leopardess, 10 Enjoy D'Allen, Escaria Ten, 12 Eclair Surf, 14 Fiddlerontheroof, Minella Times, 16 Burrows Saint, Longhouse Poet, Run Wild Fred, 20 bar

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• New William Hill customers can claim a free bet for Sunday if they bet on Saturday and also get six places on the Grand National here.
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Read more on the 2022 Grand National:

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