Over an inadequate trip of just two-and-a-half miles, the race distance was always going to be on the sharp side for the Margaret Findlay-owned nine-year-old, but after being asked to improve his position from the rear of the field as the runners turned for home, the Primitive Rising
gelding raised a full head of steam and was really come home strongly on the run-in at the Berkshire track, eventually being beaten little more than two-lengths in finishing fourth.
Following on from another good effort at Ascot last time out where he ran fourth to the smart Riverside Theatre in the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase, Big Fella Thanks has been made 12/1 second favourite for the John Smith's Grand National by some firms, although others leave him at 16/1 in
the Grand National betting odds, behind the ante-post market leader The Midnight Club, with the Irish raider generally offered at 12/1 favourite.
Big Fella Thanks has twice previously proven himself over the awesome Aintree fences, running sixth to Mon Mome in 2009 before going two places better when filling fourth place behind Don't Push It in the
Aintree Marathon 11 months ago. His schedule this term has been around a repeat bid for the 'world's greatest steeplechase', and with owners Margaret and her son Harry Findlay having announced that Big Fella Thanks will most likely be their last runner before they sell all their horses,
betting firms and punters alike have not ruled out the possibility of the internationally famous gambler going out with a flourish at Aintree on April 9 |
