Merigo Profile

Merigo is one of the few French horses due to enter the Grand National this year. The 10-year-old Chestnut Gelding will enter the race as an outsider with five wins, four seconds and a third place finish from 20 races.

Merigo is a horse currently under the control of trainer Tony Parker. Parker believes that Merigo is good enough to challenge any horse over a long distance if the animal is in good condition and not over raced.

Merigo and Tony Parker

Merigo and Tony Parker is a relationship that has been ongoing ever since the first race for this horse. Tony Parker has chosen his races carefully and allowed Merigo to develop from 16 furlongs right up to 33 furlongs.

Merigo and Tony Parker could be two names that are well remembered after the Grand National. Parker is a trainer that likes to play on the biggest strengths of his horses. Merigo has nothing to lose in this year's race which could be the biggest asset for this horse.

Qualities of Merigo

The qualities of Merigo are numerous and have been displayed throughout the career of the horse. Merigo finished sixth over 16 furlongs on debut at Hexham in November 2007.

The important thing about this first race for the horse is that the qualities of Merigo were evident and allowed Parker to identify areas where he could improve the horse. Merigo seems a horse that likes to get to the front and see another horse to the side to compete against.

The Style of Merigo

The style of Merigo is dangerous for opponents of this horse in all races over jumps. The style of Merigo is that of a horse that likes to get to the front and control the pace of a race.

The biggest concern with the style of Merigo is that the horse relies on creating a gap at some point during a race. This is because the finish of the horse is not spectacularly strong and allows others in a field to come back.

Strengths of Merigo

Aside from the front running qualities of Merigo, one of the biggest strengths this horse possesses is experience, despite having only run in 20 races. There are other horses with many more races.

However, Merigo has won in races such as the Scottish Grand National before which contained a field of 30 runners. This proves some of the best strengths of Merigo are attitude and charisma. Merigo is not a horse that gets flustered easily.

Merigo in 2011

Merigo in 2011 is not a pretty story and this is the only reason the horse is a long Sports Betting shot for the Grand National and not one of the main contenders. Merigo in 2011 covers one race over 26 furlongs at Doncaster which produced an eighth place finish.

Merigo in 2011 did not have the best spring board because the last two races for the horse in 2010 also produced disappointing results. However, one of these results was down to the jockey falling.