2018 Grand National Main Contender Profile: Cause Of Causes

Mike Norman
Published on 08 Apr 2018 at 19:47

Gordon Elliott - Grand National — Betfair Ambassador Gordon Elliott will be hoping for another big run from Cause Of Causes

The 2017 Grand National runner-up may be one of the Gordon Elliott stable's favourite horses, but Mike Norman believes the three-time Cheltenham Festival winner has a lot to prove on this season's evidence...

Cause of Causes Form	Wins	Runs	2nd Place Runs	3rd Place Runs	Winnings
Hurdle	5	16	3	1	£110,787
Chase	3	25	4	2	£130,175
Flat Turf	1	2	0	0	£5,172
Rules Races	9	43	7	3	£246,134

Current Form

One of the stable favourites at Gordon Elliott's yard, Cause Of Causes owes connections absolutely nothing after winning three times at the Cheltenham Festival, and finishing runner-up in last year's Grand National.

But this season hasn't quite gone to plan for the JP McManus-owned 10yo. He didn't make his reappearance until February - a slight worry in itself - and although unfancied, he was tailed off in a competitive handicap chase. He then turned up at the Festival in the Cross Country Chase but despite being one of the market leaders he ran a stinker, always trailing out the back before being pulled up.

On this season's evidence, Cause Of Causes definitely has questions to answer.

Previous Aintree Form

Although regarded as a Cheltenham specialist it's hard to knock Cause Of Causes' Aintree form despite appearing in Liverpool just twice.

Both of those appearances were in the Grand National, first in 2015 when he went off a well-fancied 14/1 shot, but was given too much to do before running on late to finish eighth. And 12 months ago, again a well-fancied contender (16/1), top amateur jockey Jamie Codd give him a lovely ride in mid-division before running on strongly in the closing stages to finish just under five lengths behind the eventual winner.

Trainer Form

In Gordon Elliott you have arguably the most in-form trainer on your side, certainly in terms of consistency as the Betfair Ambassador has been churning out winners since the opening day of the season.

Elliott burst onto the scene when in 2007 - at just 29 years of age - he trained Silver Birch to win the Grand National so he knows what it takes to win this great race. At last month's Cheltenham Festival he sent out a record-equalling eight winners before training his 200th winner of the season in Ireland alone. And he currently leads the Irish Trainers championship by over 500,000 Euro from his great rival Willie Mullins.

And just for good measure, at the start of April Elliott saddles his first ever winner of the Irish Grand National. If you're looking for a top class in-form trainer then look no further.

Odds and Verdict

NON-RUNNER

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