O’Sullivan ponders National involvement – Betfred Blog - (2026)

Trainer Ross O’Sullivan says he will take the next couple of days to come to a final decision on Baie Des Iles’ (50/1 Randox Grand National) involvement in the Randox Health Grand National.

Connections were keen to take Baie Des Iles back for another tilt at the Aintree showpiece next month, however, a fall over the weekend may bring about a change of plans.

The eight-year-old was travelling well and looked on course to further enhance her reputation at Down Royal on Saturday.

But she came down three fences from home under Gold Cup-winning jockey Paul Townend and O’Sullivan admits they need a few days to mull over her National entry.

O’Sullivan said: “Paul said she was hacking along (when she fell). It’s just not the ideal prep that we wanted.

“She had them all at it. The Grand National is three weeks away and I think we will make up our minds in the next couple of days.

“She is definitely going back to France, but I’m not sure about the Aintree National yet.

“It’s a pity, because if she had won on Saturday it would have been lovely.”

Baie Des Iles, who is without a race victory since June 2018, finished 12th of 38 on her last appearance at the Grand National in April 2018 when Tiger Roll (5/1 Randox Grand National) won by a head.

Tiger Roll is the favourite heading into this year’s edition with the likes of Rathvinden (10/1 Randox Grand National) and Anibale Fly (10/1 Randox Grand National) both expected to be in contention.

Odds subject to change