Previous National runner-up on 'a lovely weight' this year Sean Flanagan is looking forward to the mount on Vanillier in the Randox Grand National at Aintree on Saturday and is hopeful the grey gelding can go one better than he did two years ago. The Gavin Cromwell-trained ten-year-old finished strongly when beating all bar Corach Rambler in 2023 and while failing to land a blow behind I Am Maximus 12 months ago, appears to have been rejuvenated by a switch to cross country racing this term. The application of blinkers helped him to an easy win at Punchestown in February and despite losing significant ground when nearly taking a wrong turn early on, finished strongly to take third behind Stumptown at Cheltenham last month. “He’s back to the mark (147) that he would have been on two years ago when second to Corach Rambler. He’s a course specialist and, touch wood, he just loves going around there,” said William Hill Ambassador Flanagan. “He’s been in much better form this year and has a lovely weight. “Last year I Am Maximus was a Grade 1 winner in off a very nice mark and I don’t know if there is anything like that in the race this year.” Vanillier is near the head of the market and is generally a 10/1 chance for the 4m2f stamina test at 4pm on Saturday.
