Grand National 2022: Run Wild Fred Profile

Gordon Elliott's Run Wild Fred is a progressive novice chaser that is set to run in the 2022 Randox Grand National at Aintree on April 9, and we take a look at the eight-year-old's profile here...

Run Wild Fred

Age: 8

Trainer: Gordon Elliott

Chase Runs: 11

Chase Wins: 1

Notable Race Wins: 2021 Troytown Handicap Chase

Ending his hurdling career with a shock victory in a Grade 3 event at Punchestown in February 2020, Run Wild Fred was always going to make up into a finer chaser, and it's over this discipline that he has become one of the most exciting novice chasers in training, and he will run in the 2022 Grand National for Gordon Elliott.

He may have only won one of his 11 chases over the last two seasons, but he's put up some fine efforts in defeat while his win in the 2021 Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan in November was a classy display and a repeat of that effort would see him go very close.

Yet to be out of the first three in all his chase starts, Run Wild Fred ended last season competing in the Irish Grand National, and he ran an almighty race to finish second to Freewheelin Dylan in the Fairyhouse showpiece last April. But, having failed to get his head in front over fences, he was able to line up as a novice again this season, and having finished second on his first start, he finally broke his duck with a fine win in the Troytown.

A seven-and-a-half length winner over Farclas off a mark of 145, he was next seen in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown in December, but he was beaten by Fury Road in that contest, as he had to settle for the minor honours once again.

Well backed for the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, Run Wild Fred was sent off the 15/8 favourite for the marathon contest, but was no match for the Willie Mullins-trained Stattler, who cruised clear in the closing stages. Returning to the handicap sphere for the Grand National, Run Wild Fred will line up off a mark of 158, so he will need a career best, but with stamina in bundles he will certainly be doing all his best work late on and he can play a notable role.