9th Apr 2016 | Grand National
Grand National Tips: Kruzhlinin
Completed the race as an inexperienced 7-year-old (2014) and has improved for the move to Philip Hobbs. Can give Richard Johnson his first win in the race.
Richard Johnson was Champion Conditions Jockey in 1995, the first and last individual title he’s won. For most of his career he’s been forced to live in the shadow of A P McCoy but now the path is clear he is on target to win his first Champion Jockey title.
That in itself is a fine story but the crowning glory could come in the Grand National, a race he has failed to win in 19 attempts.
On Saturday he rides Kruzhlinin, a horse I’ve been waiting to back in this race since he finished 10th in 2014. That race probably came too soon for the then 7-year-old but it was encouraging he got round and the experience could prove invaluable.
More than any race, a good jumper is needed in the National and Kruzhlinin is tidy at his obstacles. He’s cleared the National fences in the Topham and put in a fantastic round of jumping when winning at Kempton in January.
That performance rates as almost a career best and although he could only finish fifth at the Cheltenham Festival, the race wasn’t run at a flat-out gallop and the ground was probably lively enough for a horse more suited to grinding out wins.
The move to Philip Hobbs at the start of the season has benefited the horse and he can deliver Richard Johnson a long overdue win. Back Kruzhlinin at 25/1 with BetVictor and get an extra place; 1/4 odds for a top-6 finish.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 07:10 9th Apr, 2016 but subject to change
