Grand National 2022: Deise Aba Profile

Philip Hobbs will bid for Grand National glory at Aintree on April 9, and he will saddle Deise Aba in the showpiece event, and the nine-year-old will be benefit from carrying a low weight in the 2022 renewal...

Deise Aba

Age: 9

Trainer: Philip Hobbs

Chase Runs: 12

Chase Wins: 3

Quick to be sent over fences by Philip Hobbs, Deise Aba has become a regular in the three-mile plus handicap chases over the last few seasons, and the nine-year-old has been victorious in three of those 12 chases during his career.

A regular at Sandown Park, which has highlighted his excellent jumping, Deise Aba was victorious in the 2020 Masters Handicap Chase, while a year later he retained his crown off a 2lb lower mark, as his fine record at Sandown was enhanced. Rated 137 that day back in 2021, Deise Aba will line up in the Grand National off 145, so he will need a career best to score in this event, and it's looks a tough order.

He showed his best at Sandown on his second start this season as he was narrowly beaten in the London National, where he showed he had bundles of stamina in that 3m 5f, but he disappointed when well fancied for the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow. Pulled up in that Welsh showpiece, Deise Aba was last seen trying to win a third Masters Handicap Chase, but he was just touched off in his quest for the hat-trick, as he finished second.

In decent form this campaign, with the Chepstow run the only blot on his copybook, but while the extreme distance of the National won't be a problem, he may just find it tough to live with some classier rivals here in what is a renewal awash with quality.