Rathvinden Has Grand National Winning Credentials Following last year’s success of Tiger Roll in the Aintree Grand National, it indicates that winning the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival can be a great future stepping stone to success in the Grand National. So, is this could be an indication that in Rathvinden we have a National winner in waiting? Punters have been looking to bet with Betfair on the Grand National 2019, in which Rathvinden is now 12/1 to land the World’s richest steeplechase. Rathvinden is an 11-year-old and trained by master Irish trainer, Willie Mullins. Mullins of course came agonisingly close to training the winner of the 2018 running of the national, as Pleasant Company was denied in a photo finish by Tiger Roll following his strong late rally. Mullins also trained the winner of the race back in 2005, as his runner Hedgehunter landed a big gamble. So, can Rathvinden become another winner of the famous race for one of the greatest trainers in the history of the sport? Rathvinden is a very consistent horse and has won nine of his 19 starts under rules, with a further three seconds and he has also finished third twice. He made his seasonal reappearance recently in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, in which Gold Cup favourite Presenting Percy was expected to make his first start over fences this season. However, with him not running it left the race with a very open look to it. The Harrington trained Magic of Light was sent off the well supported favourite. However, she made several bad mistakes before unseating Robbie Power at the 11th. This left Alpha des Obeaux clear, but Rathvinden made up the ground on him with ease, only having to be ridden out under Paul Townend from the last fence for a comfortable victory. This was a clear indication that the horse has returned this season at the top of his game, and following this he has been supported heavily for the Grand National. As mentioned previously Rathvinden of course landed the 2018 edition of the National Hunt Chase over four miles at the Cheltenham Festival. He travelled ominously well in that race, before battling very bravely to hold off the challenge of Ms Parfois in the closing stages. He is clearly an extremely talented horse, who stays very well, so the Grand National looks tailor made for him. Mullins made an entry for Rathvinden in the Bulmers Gold Cup at Cheltenham next week which is an indication of the level of ability he considers the son of Heron Island to possess but he is expected to sidestep that engagement in favour of a tilt at the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday 6th April where he looks set to be a major contender.
