Grand National 2022: Kildisart Profile

Kildisart of Ben Pauling's and the Munir and Suede ownership comes into the 2022 Randox Grand National hoping to finally fulfil the promise he had shown before his long-term problems which caused a 462 day break before his reappearance on March 5. We have taken a look through his profile and assessed his chance in this year's renewal...

Kildisart

Age: 10

Trainer: Ben Pauling

Chase Runs: 12

Chase Wins: 3

When it comes to finding the Grand National winner, course form (particularly over the iconic fences) is often considered crucial by racing pundits and fans alike. A runner who certainly possesses some high class Aintree form is Kildisart, the winner of the 2019 Betway Chase. He came into that race off the back of a solid season, including a fine fourth behind Defi De Seuil in the then JLT (now Turners) at the Cheltenham Festival. His jumping was superb on the day of his four length victory over Mister Malarky at the course in the prestigious handicap, and the fact he carried top weight exemplified his high class credentials.

The following season was somewhat more disappointing for connections although it was apparently all geared around a bold show for the Ultima Handicap of 2020 at Cheltenham. He was clearly primed to peak on that day and gave a fine performance, only losing out in a photo finish to The Conditional. His next campaign began with a prep run over hurdles in a Grade Two behind the high class Roksana which was hoped to put him cherry ripe for the Ladbrokes Trophy. He was sent off a 7/1 chance but never travelled with much zeal and was in the end well beaten in seventh by eventual winner Cloth Cap.

He must have met a setback after this race as he was then not sighted on a racetrack for well over a year, eventually reappearing at the start of last month with a fourth placed finish under a tender ride at Newbury. His trainer will be hoping that has got him in the right place for a tilt at the Aintree showpiece and if Pauling has somehow got him back anywhere near his best after such an interrupted career then 33/1 could underestimate his chances. It is a fair leap of faith to be backing him off such a long lay off and just one appearance, however.