LEGENDARY jockey Richard Johnson is tipping a 40-1 Grand National outsider to run ‘very, very well’ under his amateur jockey.
Johnson won everything but the world’s most famous race during his epic career in the saddle.
PAGina Andrews wins the Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase on Latenightpassin 2022 – can she win the Grand National with the same horse two years on?[/caption]
But having navigated the National track many times – and finished runner-up twice – he has a sharp understanding of what is required to land the £500,000 first-place prize.
And while he is looking to the top of the market and Willie Mullins’ I Am Maximus as the most likely winner, one lower down has certainly caught his eye.
Johnson has picked out Latenightpass for husband and wife duo Tom Ellis and Gina Andrews.
The 11-year-old is a previous winner at Cheltenham and Aintree and could be being overlooked by the bookies.
Johnson told Boylesports: “I think Latenightpass is a horse that could run very well.
“I think he will handle the soft ground, will stay well and has got a really good racing weight for the race.
“As an each-way bet I thought he could run very, very well.
“Having won over fences before, even though the fences have changed, that experience could count for a lot and make a real difference.”
Johnson also expressed some doubts over Corach Rambler’s chances of defending his crown.
Bookies are pushing his odds out to around 5-1 with some punters thinking the rain-sodden ground will blunt his speed.
But Johnson reckons that’s still too short for such an unpredictable race.
Johnson said: “I know he ran very well in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but that, for me, would be a worry backing that kind of horse.
“He’s not an 8-1 shot, being 5-1 now and 4-1 like he was, is very short for this kind of handicap race really.
“He’s gone up a lot in weight this year (13 pounds) and, though he showed in the Gold Cup that he is in very good form, it just might have taken a little bit out of him.
“That’s always a worry when you run a race like that.”
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