Le Beau Bai one of select few wanting more rain ahead of National
Published:Not many trainers will be praying for even more rain at Aintree in the coming days, but Richard Lee wants it as muddy as possible to give Le Beau Bai the best chance of Grand National victory.
Le Beau Bai has already won the Welsh National at Chepstow this season and in the process defeated fellow Aintree fancy Giles Cross.
This could make him a tempting each-way price at 40/1 in the Grand National odds and certainly the value call when considered alongside Giles Cross at 12/1.
The pair have met again since in the Grand National Trial at Haydock, with Giles Cross beating Le Beau Bai by 11 lengths and they will re-oppose on level terms at Aintree.
Meanwhile, Ladbrokes’ latest offer of providing money back on non runners could prove especially useful as there have been whispers that the nine-year-old may not run.
The ground at Aintree has already been classified as ‘soft’, but Le Beau Bai would ideally want it ‘heavy’, where his extensive stamina can totally be brought into play.
In the past, Le Beau Bai’s best form has certainly not been seen on anything quicker than soft and Lee plans to walk the course later in the week, although he has suggested that a final decision may not be made until Saturday morning.
If more rain does fall and Le Beau Bai is confirmed as a definite runner, his price will shorten as he is perhaps the biggest mud lover in the field.
Therefore, it may be wise to back him now to take advantage of what may prove a lucrative price later in the week.
In eight of the last ten years, the winner of the Grand National has been aged either nine or ten, which is another positive towards Le Beau Bai’s chances.
