Grand National 2016: Aintree sentiment swings Tony McCoy to Shutthefrontdoor

Legendary jockey backs horse who failed to give him a fairy-tale send-off into retirement last April to 'run a big race'

Tony McCoy likes the chance of Shutthefrontdoor, the horse he rode into fifth in last year’s National (Getty Images)

Last year’s winner Many Clouds remained at around 12-1 to become the first horse to win back-to-back Grand Nationals since Red Rum 42 years ago when weights for this year’s event were published.

Oliver Sherwood’s nine-year-old is not just burdened by history, however – he must carry top weight of 11st 10lb this time and is 5lb higher in the handicap. Perhaps Many Clouds will be up to the task, but the odds look tight and punters should surely delay any National wager until after the Cheltenham Festival next month and closer to Aintree’s big day on 9 April.

Sir Anthony McCoy pointed to the chance of Shutthefrontdoor (10st 11lb), the horse who failed to give him a fairy-tale send-off into retirement last April, and another Jonjo O’Neill possible runner, Holywell (10st 12lb).

“I think Shutthefrontdoor will run a big race,” McCoy said. “I do like Holywell, too – if he is in the right frame of mind he is a very capable horse. He has not shown it yet this season, but that is the time of year he shows it.” The fancy prices for Holywell have vanished in the past couple of days, however, and have been cut in half to around 16-1.

Philip Hobbs appears to have a strong hand with Onenightinvienna (10st 8lb), and Kruzhlinin (10st 7lb). “Onenightinvienna stays for ever, has a fantastic attitude and his jumping, touch wood, has been very good. Hopefully, he will pass the test in the Reynoldstown [Chase] at Ascot on Saturday,” said Hobbs who predicted that Kruzhlinin will have “come on a bundle” for his victory at Kempton six weeks ago.

Top trainers have multiple options at present for the National, with Silviniaco Conti one of nine entries for Paul Nicholls, along with the likes of Wonderful Charm (11st 3lb), Sam Winner (11st 1lb), Rocky Creek (10st 13lb) and Unioniste (10st 8lb).

Willie Mullins has a total of seven entries, with On His Own (11st 1lb) and the 2013 Gold Cup runner-up Sir Des Champs (10st 13lb) two notable contenders.

Gary Moore has confirmed Ar Mad has sustained a season-ending injury, making him the trainer’s third Cheltenham Festival candidate to be sidelined by a setback, following Traffic Fluide and Violet Dancer being ruled.

“It is sickening,” Moore said. Ar Mad won well at Plumpton on Monday but a lameness that became evident later that day has now been revealed as requiring long-term treatment.

Simonsig, the brilliant winner of the Arkle Trophy in 2013, will not run at Cheltenham Festival, his trainer Nicky Henderson announced. The 10-year-old grey has been plagued by injury and his most recent setback means he will not run until Aintree or Punchestown.