Young trainer Nick Wililams has had a tremendous 12 months with the likes of Diamond Harry, Reve De Sivola and Me Voici, and in Maljimar he has a serious John Smith's Grand National contender capable of really putting his name up in lights, writes Elliot Slater.
Maljimar has already proved himself on the big stage having led everywhere bar the line in last year's William Hill Trophy Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, when agonisingly caught by Wichita Lineman and losing out in a photo finish on the nod. Already this term the 10-year-old has shown himself to be running to a similar level of form and last time out at Cheltenham in December he finished a highly creditable third to course specialist Garde Champetre in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase.
Given a good racing weight of 10st 8lbs for the Aintree marathon, there is little doubt that the Un Desperado gelding will stay the extended four-and-a-half mile trip, and throughout his career he has generally proven himself to be a sound jumper. A winner on a wide variety of surfaces, only heavy ground would be a problem for Williams' charge who is on general offer for the race at a tempting 40/1.
Williams has resisted the temptation to send his horse to Cheltenham for a repeat bid for one of the big staying handicaps there, instead preferring to keep Maljimar fresh and well turning over on the home gallops at George Nympton in Devon and that patient policy could well reap its reward if Maljimar manages to run into the frame on April 10.
Daryl Jacob has been in the plate for each of Maljimar's last eight outings since winning a Grade 3 chase back in January 2008, and can be expected to retain the ride.
Remember to check out Irish Grand National Betting and Scottish Grand National Betting too.
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