Niche Market’s chances at the Grand National are progressively improving and according to trainer Bob Buckler, he is a ‘model’ horse for the race. His running in the Newbury Aon Chase where he came second to Tricky Trickster has encouraged bookmakers to make him the obvious second favourite for the Aintree race, and at 16/1, is succeeded only by Tricky Trickster himself.

At eleven stone four, Niche Market also caused a huge commotion when having been one of four reserves for the 2009 Grand National he was denied a run when there were no non-runners. He then went on to win in the Irish National in April as a 33-1 shot, chased home by two horses that had started at 50-1. He was the third English-trained victor of the Irish National in the previous six years, and gave trainer Buckler a very welcome and very new taste of fame. He first took out a training licence fifteen years ago, and the reward money of €141,500 for the Irish National was more than he had won in the whole of the previous season. Buckler admitted that not getting to race in the Grand National may have been a ‘blessing in disguise’, as the Irish National was ‘much more suitable for him.’

Both owner and trainer have always been particularly optimistic about Niche Market’s chances, knowing what he is capable of from the offset – he had been entered in huge races early on including the Cheltenham National Hunt Chase, in which he came fourth in 2008 and eighth in 2009. He was already proving what he was made of when he won the BGC Silver Cup at Ascot from Monkerhostin in December 2008. However it wasn’t until he came third to the impressive Denman in the 2009 Hennessy Gold Cup that the steeple chase world really began to sit up and pay attention.

Regan, being an Irishman, would prefer if Niche Market was a Cheltenham Gold Cup than an Aintree horse, but that is not the way things have worked out for the horse, which at the end of the day may work out in his favour if he wins in April. The nine year old he has been steadily improving over the past few years and owner Regan expects his weight to go up 2lb or a bit more, which would take his official mark from 148 to 150 nearly for the 2010 National. As Regan says: ‘Niche Market jumps, he gallops and he stays, so in my view, he’s a model for the National.’

We are nowhere near finalising the final 40 horses that will line up for the 2010 Aintree Grand National but so much buzz already surrounds the entrants that we decided to take a closer look at Tricky Trickster, one of the ante-post favourites.

Tricky Trickster is the Irish 6 year old horse currently being trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies. Though his career to date is limited, he has been extremely successful with three wins from six starts as well as three second place finishes netting earnings of over £60,000. So on paper he’s looking like a great prospect for the Grand National but if all it took were youth and speed to win this race then we would probably have seen a lot more upsets over the last few years.

Age – generally we recommend horses who are 9 or 10 years old, possibly 8 if the horse is a real winner but never 7 or younger so on that basis Tricky Trickster may struggle as he will still only be six years old.

Stamina – it is rare to find very young horses running long distances and we always suggest that you back a horse with some history or running and completing a course similar in length to Aintree. Fortunately, Tricky Trickster has done this when he entered and won the 4m National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup at Cheltenham in March 09, proving he has the legs to go the distance.

Weight – I should mention that when winning at Cheltenham he carried a ferocious 11-11 which would be very very high if he were to be lumbered with that when the weights come out in Feb 2010. Ordinarily I would only recommend backing a horse carrying absolutely no more than 11-03 on the day.

Season – on the run-up to the Grand National, check out his form on the hurdles as opposed to the Chase events. If his trainer really does consider him a serious contender then he’ll probably reduce his steeple chase appearances in favour of smaller hurdle events in Ireland and England, thereby protecting his marks which should, in theory, get him a lower Grand National weight.

It really is too early to say whether or not Tricky trickster can win the 2010 Grand National, in fact, I can’t even be certain that he’s even going to be entered into the race as a lot can happen between now and then. I personally think he’s too young and with 39 other competitors lining up alongside him, he may lose his way in the crowd. Follow his progress, check the experience of the jockey, look at his weight and study his form and then when all else fails cross your fingers, because luck is as much a part of this race as anything else!

For Ante-Post odds on Tricky Trickster, check out Paddy Power and don’t forget your free bet!