Looking at stats over the last 25 years shows that more Grand National winners have come from the Hennessy than any other race.The following Grand National winners each ran in the Hennessy Cognac Gold cup prior to winning the national.

1983 Corbiere – finished 5th in the Hennessy

1984 Hallo Dandy – p.u

1987 Maori Venture – 3rd 1990 Mr Frisk – 3rd

1991 Seagram – 9th

1992 Party Politics – 2nd

1996 Rough Quest – 2nd

2001 Red Maruader – 5th

2002 Bindaree – 5th

So what clues can last weekends Hennessy give us to finding the 2008 Grand National winner?

Allthough its far too early to rule anything out, the most likely 2007 Hennessy runners to take their place in the 2008 national are Dom DOrgeval (PU), Point Barrow (11th), Sir Rembrandt (7th) and Character Building (3rd).

The above record of GN winners in the Hennessy shows that a top 5 finish in the race is a good indicator as to the sort of class needed to win the national. With the going being soft last weekend and racing against a very classy Denman, the top 5 finishers in the hennessy should be particularly noted if running the the 2008 Grand national. At this stage the most likely of which to run looks like Character Building.

Character Building had already been touted as having a strong chance in the 2008 Grand National. He improved all the time last year and for his first race of the season, his 3rd in Saturdays Hennessy, was a great performance. He made steady progress from off the pace and we already know he ouses stamina after finishing runner up in Cheltenhams 4m national Hunt chase. It would be no surprise to see Character Buildings name added to the above list come 5th April 2008.

The 33/1 on offer with Paddy Powerfor Character Building to win the 2008 Grand National should be snapped up.