Northern Alliance Continuing To Attract National Support

Northern Alliance, last seen in action when third to In Compliance in the Cashel Chase at Thurles at the end of February, continues to attract market interest and is now down to a best priced 40/1 (from 50s) for the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree on April 9, writes Elliot Slater.

The Tony Martin-trained 10-year-old is a versatile performer who wouldn't be unduly troubled by the predicted 'good' ground at the Merseyside track even though much of his winning form has come when the mud is flying. Martin is renowned as being a dab hand at laying a horse out for a big gamble in major handicaps, and as his price continues to contract there is a suspicion that the money is coming from some shrewd quarters and those looking at the Grand National online betting should remember this.

Northern Alliance hasn't actually reached the winners' enclosure since September 2009 when putting up a fine performance to land the Guinness Kerry National Handicap Chase by a length from the useful Church Island, but has run plenty of good races since. A solid 5th of 22 in the Galway Plate last summer behind Finger On the Pulse, the Naheez gelding went on to finish 5th when attempting to defend his Kerry National title, then later in the year was in the process of running a good race at Cheltenham in the Vote AP McCoy Gold Cup when badly hampered by a faller at the third last.

Given a handy weight of 10st 8lbs for the Aintree marathon, hopes are clearly high that Martin's charge will stay the extended four-and-a-half mile trip. His recent efforts in chasing home fellow 'National' candidate Dooneys Gate at Clonmel in February, then his run behind In Compliance, demonstrate that Northern Alliance is in good heart. If the market moves are anything to go by then there is every chance the Irish challenger will give his supporters a seriously good run for their money.