Former Wexford jockey identifies one concern for Aintree Grand National favourite

A former Wexford jockey recently sat down for an interview…

Former Wexford jockey Daryl Jacob recently discussed the upcoming Aintree Grand National. Recently retired jockey Daryl Jacob was one of the first riders to mount current favourite for next weeks’ Grand National at Aintree, Intense Raffles.

When Jacob first rode out Intense Raffles, he rang the owners and told them that he was convinced that they had a future Grand National horse on their hands:

“I was blown away the first time I rode Intense Raffles – I told his owners they have a potential Grand National horse straight away. I’ll never forget the first time I rode Intense Raffles at Jim Dreaper’s yard. It was after he’d arrived in Ireland following his career in France and before his first outing for Tom Gibney.

I was blown away. I remember ringing Simon Munir straight afterwards and telling him ‘We’ve got a Grand National horse here’ – and he asked, ‘are you sure?’ I was convinced of it. No horse had given me a similar feel since Neptune Collonges in terms of being right for Aintree. And next week, touch wood, we’ll find out if I was right. I won’t be in the saddle of course but I’ll be in Liverpool cheering him on,” he said.

The Wexford man was initially dismayed at his low rating after winning at Fairyhouse on debut – a horse that then won the next race by 43 lengths.

“It was at Fairyhouse in January 2024 that I first rode him in a race, and he made the perfect start to his new venture, making all and winning well. But I was dismayed when his official rating came through and it was only 127. I thought I can’t be that wrong, can I? So, he went back to the same course for a 0-135 rated novice chase a month later. I was determined to find out and win well on him. Which we did – by 43 lengths.

Now we were talking. But he wasn’t going to get into the Grand National even from his revised rating, so we decided to go to the Irish Grand National next and the rest is history.”

Jacob was out injured for his Irish Grand National win. Speaking to Sporting Life, he said he was desperate to ride him that day and “missing out on that moment hurt me so much”:

“I was out injured at the time and missing out on that moment hurt so much. I was desperate to be on him that day but thrilled to see him win at the same time.

Then he was the horse that kept me going through my recovery from the next injury setback, the reason getting to Oaksey House and going through the rehabilitation again was going to be worth it. The thought of riding him in the Grand National was my main motivation.

In the end it wasn’t to be for me, but the horse is heading there and with a favourite’s chance. I was slightly worried about the two runs over hurdles this season, I was expecting to see more from him if I’m honest, but I loved his performance in the Bobbyjo last time.”

Intense Raffles is perfectly set up for success at Aintree. He is the bookie’s favourite, but the Wexford man does have a “couple of worries”:

“What really pleased me was the way he battled and rallied when headed. I loved to see that. I think it sets him up perfectly for Aintree.

I do think he deserves to be favourite. He has all the attributes for a modern National. You need class to be competitive in it now, jump low and quick and he ticks those boxes. He’s athletic, an Irish National winner and we know they can go and win at Liverpool.

The only worry I’d have – well concern – would be the ground. The softer the better for Intense Raffles but they do a great job at Aintree and I’m sure it will be fine for him whatever the weather gods do. From there it will be a case of hoping he gets the luck you always need and roaring him on from the side-lines.

I have no regrets about not being in the saddle. I made my decision and am well on with the next stage of my career now. But I was convinced the first time I sat on him that Intense Raffles was the horse to do it. Here’s hoping he can prove me right next weekend,” he said.