Previous Becher Chase winner Vieux Lion Rouge comes alive over the Grand Nationl fences and looks weighted to run a huge race in this year’s renewal of that Grade 3 handicap contest at Aintree today (1.30).
The David Pipe trained 10-yearo-ld won this race in 2016 when travelling and jumpoing well before coming out on top in a titanic tussle up the long run-in to get the better of Highland Lodge by a short head off a mark of 142.
Vieux Lion Rouge then followed in good style in the Grand National Trial at Haydock when beating Blaklion by 2 1/4 lengths off 146, before running veru well in the big one itself when sixth of 32 to One For Arthur off 149.
He raced prominently throughout in the lattrer with real enthusiasm before getting outpaced two from home to eventually be beeten 27 lengths and clearly failed to get home over the marathon 4m 2f trip.
Vieux Lion Rouge also ran bery well in this 12 months ago when a 4 1/2 lenbth second of 17 to Walk In The Mill off 146 and is now able to race off 1lb lower.
His current rating of 145 gives hig a big shout from a handicapping perspective and he looked as good as ever on seasonal reappearance when scoring at Chepstow.
Vieux Lion Rouge also boasts an exceptional record over the Grand National fences, having completed on all seven appearances over the unique obstacles.
Other pluses are that he has a 30 per cent strike rate on the forcast ground, hails from a yard that has been among the winners of late, and goes tremedously well for jockey Tom Scudamore who has a tremendous strike rate of 44 per cent on him as a result of 11 wins and three places in 25 rides.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-wau Vieux Lion Rouge (10/1 generally available – use BOG firms paying five places)
