Trainers at the 2022 Grand National Festival

Jockeys and horses might be the ones that everyone gets to see on race day, but most of the work comes down to the trainers behind the scenes. Trainers are the ones that deal with the horses day today and decide how to get the best off them on the rack. Ahead of the 2022 Grand National Festival, Bet UK has taken a look at 5 trainers that you should keep an eye on when scanning the racecard. If you still can’t make up your mind, then our Grand National betting tips should help you out. For the latest Grand National odds, head over to Bet UK’s online sports betting.

Willie Mullins

Grand National Winners - 1 ( Hedgehunter - 2005 )
2019 Potential Entries - Rathvinden (9/1*), Pleasant Company (18/1*), Pairofbrowneyes (22/1*), Up For Review (25/1*), Isleofhopendreams (50/1*), Livelovelaugh (66/1*), Scoir Mear (125/1*)

After finally winning the Gold Cup at Cheltenham this year, Willie Mullins will be hoping for a repeat of his 2005 at the Grand National. Along with his first Gold Cup success, Willie Mullins once again took home the top trainer at the Festival and is clearly pleased with his current stable. Based on the current odds, Rathvinden at 12/1* is Mullins’ best choice and looked impressive in his Fairyhouse win in February. If Rathvinden enters the National as expected and survives the first few fences, he could be a major player.

Gordon Elliott

Grand National Winners - 2 ( Silver Birch - 2007, Tiger Roll - 2018 )
2019 Potential Entries - Tiger Roll (7/2*), Jury Duty (18/1*), Dounikos (33/1*), General Principle (33/1*), Noble Endeavour (33/1*), Folsom Blue (40/1*), Out Sam (40/1*), Borice (50/1*), Mala Beach (50/1*), A Toi Phil (66/1*), Don Poli (66/1*), Monbeg Notorious (66/1*), Bless The Wings (66/1*), Blow By Blow (66/1*), Measureofmydreams (66/1*), Outlander (80/1*)

After winning last years Grand National with Tiger Roll, Gordon Elliott will be entering him again in 2019. Fresh from a Glenfarclas Chase win at Cheltenham, the 9 year old has won 2 of 3 races since last year’s National and looks as impressive as ever. As the racecard stands, Elliott has a massive 21 entries that could potentially line up at Aintree. Aside from Tiger Roll however, Elliott doesn’t have many short priced horses so may be resting his hopes on the reigning champion.

Nigel Twiston-Davies

Grand National Winners - 2 ( Earth Summit - 1998, Bindaree - 2002)
2019 Potential Entries - Ballyoptic (33/1*), Go Conquer (40/1*), Cogry (50/1*), Splash Of Ginge (80/1*)

Nigel Twiston-Davies is one of a few trainers to enjoy success at Aintree in multiple different races. In fact, Twiston-Davies is the only current trainer to have won the Grand National more than once, as well as winning all five races over the National fences at Aintree. His two winners came within 5 years of each other around the turn of the century and it has been 17 years since his last National win. Last year, neither of Twiston-Davies’ two entries lasted the distance. In Bristol De Mai this year, he will be hoping for a horse that can last the full race and push for his first win since 2002.

Nicky Henderson

Grand National Winners - 0
2019 Potential Entries - Valtor (40/1*), Kilcrea Vale (80/1*)

Despite winning almost every race at every major festival throughout the years, the Grand National has always evaded Nicky Henderson. Since his 1979 National debut, Henderson has had 35 runners without a winner. His first entry was actually his most successful. 1979 entry Zongalero finished 2nd by just a length and a half and Henderson has failed to come as close since then. His lack of success at Aintree might be explained by his love for Cheltenham. There is no active trainer with more Cheltenham Festival wins than Henderson, so it might be that he focuses his best horses on that, rather than the National. However, as any good trainer will aim to do, Henderson will want to go down in history by winning a Grand National.

Paul Nicholls

Grand National Winners - 1 ( Neptune Collonges - 2012)
2019 Potential Entries - Warriors Tale (40/1*)

Paul Nicholls may have only won the Grand National once, but it was one of the biggest winners of recent times. Neptune Collonges won the National at 33/1*, as an overweight and older horse. The win gave Nicholls the one trophy that had always evaded him and proved that a good trainer can turn any horse into a winner. Nicholls will be expecting Black Corton to give him the best chance of a win in the National, after impressive runnings recently. Though some might be put off by his price of 40/1*, Nicholls has proven that he can provide an outside winner.

*All odds from Bet UK’s online betting markets correct at the time of writing.

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