Grand National - Spring-Heeled Fancy

Spring-Heeled Horse

I'll be looking at an each-way punt on Spring Heeled for the Grand National this year. Or rather the Crabbie's Grand National. 

Spring Heeled is trained by Jim Culloty (below) who trained last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere, also entered in the race.

Jim aimed Spring Heeled at this year's National after the 8-year-old won the Kim Muir Challenge Cup at Cheltenham last year. Jim thinks Spring Heeled will do well if the ground is good — and it is expected to be. The horse certainly has a confident clop. I'm really convincing myself that this is the one as I type. Where's my wallet? — time to get an ante-post wager on.

Spring-Heeled Jack

I'm not sure if the legend of Spring-Heeled Jack had any influence on the naming of the horse? Spring-Heeled Jack, who entered English folklore in the Victorian period (of London Characters and Crooks), is reputed to be a demonic character, sometimes gentlemanly in appearance, who is able to make extraordinary leaps. A useful attribute in National Hunt racing.

Not wishing to conjure diabolical forces, but let's hope the spirit of Spring-Heeled Jack exerts some 'fluence on his equine namesake today.

Good luck in your betting all.