Cloth Cap has weighty expectations ahead of Grand National

A runaway winner of Newbury’s Ladbrokes Trophy under Tom Scudamore, the progressive steeplechaser is the new ante-post favourite for the world’s greatest steeplechase.

This comes after the nine-year-old was allotted 10st 5lb for the race.

Ranked 46th in the handicap, Cloth Cap will be assured of making the 40-runner handicap.

Joint top weights on 11st 10lb are Bristol De Mai, Easyland and Santini, with Tiger Roll, the 2018 and 2019 hero, on 11st 9lb. It remains to be seen if owner Michael O’Leary runs his two-time hero.

Meanwhile Definitly Red, Yorkshire’s sole contender, has 11st 1lb and Malton trainer Brian Ellison says the 12-year-old will have a prep race at Kelso next month after misfiring in two runs before Christmas.

However it is the credentials of Cloth Cap, and his illustrious connections, that stand out ahead of this year’s National.

O’Neill saddled Don’t Push It to win the 2010 race for Sir AP McCoy while Hemmings has landed jump racing’s ultiate prize with Hedgehunter, Ballabriggs and Many Clouds in the past.

Indeed Many Clouds, trained by Oliver Sherwood, won Newbury’s feature race in 2014 before shouldering top weight to win the 2015 National.

“I would say Cloth Cap is fair weather as likes to leave a footprint,” said Hemmings, who is also represented by Lake View Lad and Deise Aba.

“Catherine who looks after my business came up with the name Cloth Cap. Everybody knows me in this cloth cap although I have had to change it as my last one had a hole in it!

“I was vaccinated at the end of last month and am due another a week from now. It is an easy thing to do and everybody should it – nobody wants to miss out on the chance of living longer.”

Meanwhile, O’Neill said ground conditions on the day will be important. “I am very happy with Cloth Cap. The important thing for him is the ground. He needs good ground so I hope they run out of water there!” he reported.

“This year he came back in great form. He’s a stronger horse all over. His run at Cheltenham was very nice and we were very happy with that. We didn’t think we’d get in the Ladbrokes Trophy really as we thought we would get balloted out but he just crept in at the bottom as luck would have it and now we are here.

“He jumps and he stays well so it’s the obvious race to go for – 10st 5lbs is a real nice weight and Trevor loves the National.

“We are hoping to get a prep race into him either at Kempton or Doncaster.”

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click HERE to subscribe.