Punters may swarm to back man of moment Cooper for Grand National

Bryan Cooper’s three Cheltenham Festival winners have seen him transform from virtual unknown to one of the most talked about jockeys on the circuit overnight and punters may pay extra close attention to his Grand National mount as a result.

Although jockey bookings are not yet confirmed, the most likely mount of the 20-year-old appears to be Rare Bob and so taking the 40/1 now may prove a wise strategy, with this price expected to shorten rather than lengthen in the build up to Aintree.

Cooper has been on board Rare Bob for his last three starts and seven of his last eight.

The pair may not have registered a victory together in this period, but they gained some Grand National experience last year and have slipped down to a more than interesting mark.

Rare Bob currently has an official rating of 140 and the last time his mark was this low was back in 2009, when beating horses rated higher off level weights in a Grade One novice chase.

This victory then caused his mark to rise 15lb.

Rare Bob was also 40/1 last year when competing off 6lb higher, only to see his race end early when he was brought down at the fifth fence by State Of Play.

With Cooper more experienced and Rare Bob running off a lower mark, there is just cause that these two things should result in him being a shorter price this time around.

His last start at Naas also seemed an ideal Grand National trial, travelling well into contention over 3m, before sticking on at the one-pace off top weight to take third.

The fact that he has experienced Aintree four times and so is well-versed with the demands of the track are a positive sign, while conditions are liable to be soft on Grand National day, which is a surface where Rare Bob has achieved his most career victories.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.