Mullins Duo are Notable National Market Movers
With ten entries at the initial stage for the 2010 John Smith's Grand National, leading Irish jumps trainer Willie Mullins appears to have plenty of options as he bids to follow up his 2005 success in the race with Hedgehunter, writes Elliot Slater.
Both Arbor Supreme and Snowy Morning have been fairly prominent in the ante-post list for the Aintree marathon for some time, but following promising efforts at Leopardstown's Sunday fixture at the end of February, both have been notable market movers.
The JP McManus-owned Arbor Supreme has been cut to a best priced 25/1 (although on firm is as short as 16's), after chasing home Stewarts House in the Carrickmines Handicap Chase over an inadequate two-miles-five-furlongs. Sticking to his task really well under Ruby Walsh, the eight-year-old Supreme Leader gelding caught the eye of many good judges as one coming to a peak at just the right time. A thorough stayer who appears to handle most underfoot conditions, Arbor Supreme could arguably be the Mullins first-string.
Most Grand National Betting pundits have assumed that Snowy Morning is the pick of the Mullins team having become something a Grand National standing dish in finishing third to Comply Or Die in 2008 and then running very well for a long way before fading after the last in the 2009 renewal. Although he has yet to get his nose in front this term Snowy Morning has run consistently well and at Leopardstown ran possibly his best race yet this term to be a fine third to the speedier Tranquil Sea in a Grade 2 over an extended two miles.
Outpaced going to the second last before noted staying on very strongly in the closing stages, Snowy Morning does hold an entry in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival before heading to Aintree on April 10. Following his eye-catching latest run punters stepped in to support Mullins' grand chaser who is now generally on offer for a Bet on Aintree Grand National at 20/1 (although Ladbrokes still offer 25's).
