Grand National 2022: Cloth Cap Profile

There are no silks more synonymous with the Grand National than those of the late Trevor Hemmings, and this year his colours will be carried by Cloth Cap. The former Ladbrokes Trophy winner was pulled up in last year's renewal and is a big price to succeed in 2022...

Cloth Cap

Age: 10

Trainer: Jonjo O'Neill

Chase Runs: 16

Chase Wins: 4

When winning the Ladbrokes Chase back in late 2020, Cloth Cap propelled himself to the very top of the 2021 Grand National ante-post market. With the combination of his owners love of Aintree and the style in which he won the prestigious Newbury handicap, many expected a bold bid at Aintree. He was sent off the 11/2 favourite on the day and raced in his usual prominent fashion disputing the lead until about half way through the race before settling in second place. After a mistake four out, he weakened quickly and jockey Tom Scudamore pulled him up before the third last fence. There was clearly a reason he stopped so suddenly as his trainer reported he made a noise post race, but his performance until pulling up could not dissuade any fans of his for this race.

His earlier in the season Ladbrokes Trophy win was very impressive and the rhythm he got into around Newbury when making all to win by ten lengths was a joy to behold. To dismantle a handicap that had looked as competitive as the aforementioned race meant he must be a runner of some ability and if only judging on this form then 33/1 would seem a crazy price. However, O'Neill's charge is now a ten year old and this campaign has shown nowhere near as much zest for the game in four outings. The low point of his season so far is probably when he refused at a fence at Ascot in December, although that was explained by connections as being due to his jumping left at every fence, which should be less problematic at a left handed track like Aintree. His stamina is questionable after he has seemed to empty at the crucial finishing stages of a lot of his recent races, but if his pilot can keep a lid on him throughout this year's renewal and conserve his stamina he may have place claims if he completes this time around.