Age: 8
Weight: 11st
Latest odds: 40/1 with William Hill.
Owner: Gigginstown House Stud
Grand National record:
2009 Hear The Echo (Fell 30th)
2012 Tharawaat (8th)
2014 Quito De La Roque (PU 21st)
2015 First Lieutenant (16th)
2016 Rule The World (WON), First Lieutenant (Fell 2nd), Sir Des Champs (Fell 15th)
2017 Roi Des Francs (18th), Rouge Angel (PU 30th), Wounded Warrior (PU 28th)
2018 Tiger Roll (WON), Road To Riches (6th), Valseur Lido (8th), Alpha Des Obeaux (Fell 15th), Thunder And Roses (PU 26th).
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Grand National record:
2007 Silver Birch (WON)
2009 Silver Birch (FELL 22nd)
2010 Backstage (UR 20th)
2011 Backstage (10th)
2012 Tharawaat (8th), Chicago Grey (BD 5th)
2013 Tarquinius 8th, Chicago Grey (PU 30th)
2015 Cause Of Causes (8th)
2016 Ucello Conti (6th)
2017 Cause Of Causes (2nd), Roi Des Francs (18th), Ucello Conti (UR 22nd)
2018 Tiger Roll (WON), Bless The Wings (3rd), Ucello Conti (UR 27th).
Form
P9/211249/114PPP-07F1
Returned to winning ways in the Irish Grand National Trial over 3m 4f at Punchestown on February 10, where he had stable companion and fellow Aintree contender General Principle back in third.
That was Dounikos’ first victory since landing a Grade 2 novice chase at Limerick in December 2017. He finished a close fourth behind Monalee in the Grade 1 Flogas Novice Chase at the 2018 Dublin Racing Festival and that represents strong form.
Dounikos was pulled-up on all three of his three starts last spring, but – should he back up his win last time out – is no forlorn hope in the Grand National.
If putting in a clear round, he looks capable of making his presence felt and could fare better than his massive odds suggest.
Punters thus have to treat Dounikos on the pick of his form and maintain faith in the slow but steady progression he is making as a stayer.
umps race record
Starts: 18
Wins: 5
2nd: 2
3rd: 0
Win & Place Prize Money: £100,499
OpenOdds five-star rating
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