Walkon set to be King’s sole Grand National runner

Walkon will be Alan King’s sole representative in the Crabbies Grand National, after Godsmejudge was not declared at the five-day stage.

King told his website: “I have struggled to get Godsmejudge right since December and, though he is gradually getting there, Aintree will come too soon, though we have not given up hope that he might yet come to himself in time to defend his Scottish National crown at Ayr a week later.
Walk
“Obviously Walkon is unproven over the trip, but he seemed to enjoy the big fences when second to Triolo D’Alene in the Topham Trophy there last season, and that form looks solid enough after the winner followed up in the Hennessy at Newbury in November. We were also giving him a stone so, hopefully he’ll give Wayne (Hutchinson) a good ride around there.”

Walkon is set to carry 11st in the National, and is due to meet Trio D’Alene on 20lb better terms for just a 3/4 length beating in last year’s Topham. That suggests he has a big chance of gaining revenge on that rival if seeing out the 4m 4f trip.

The 10-year-old would certainly be a popular winner with Merseyside punters, and horses of his age group have won five of the last 11 runnings.

While he has form in the book on soft ground, his best runs have come on going described as good-to-soft or good, and the forecast for Aintree looks positive for him getting his favoured underfoot conditions.

The grey is a 50/1 chance with Coral for big race on Saturday, April 5th.