This coming weekend it's The Grand National at Aintree, the biggest and most watched steeplechase contest there is. If you going then good luck and hope you enjoy a wonderful time.
Like millions of others I will not be going and instead catching it on Ch4 TV. They've changed the timing of this years race so it's near the end of the card, I can only assume this is to try and gain a bigger TV audience.
The forecast going is SOFT now and this 4m 2f+ trip will take some getting in that ground, but hopefully not as desperate as the year Red Marauder won when only 4 horses finished the course (and two of those had to remount to complete).
Last years winner MANY CLOUDS (left) is likely to be favourite to achieve a repeat success unless plenty of money comes in for something else. Of course we all know that winning twice let alone back to back hasn't been done since Red Rum in the early 1970's but he's in good form and young enough to still have some improvement in him over this unique test.
There's a feast of good jumping before we get to the main event towards the end of the card, we will have a brief look through these when the final declarations are out and give some selections for the accompanying races.
13.45 The Aintree Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 3m ½f
Wide open contest to open, no short prices here (unlike next few races), will give SQUOUATEUR another chance having been well supported at Cheltenham.
And at a decent EW price MINELLA DADDY.
14.25 The EZ Trader Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f
The next few races feature extremely long odds on favs, such as YORKHILL here who is unbeaten under rules including recent wins in G1 company.
With only the 7 runners there's not much room for an alternative so the forecast selection is LE PREZIEN from the Paul Nicholls yard.
With only the 7 runners there's not much room for an alternative so the forecast selection is LE PREZIEN from the Paul Nicholls yard.
15.00 The Doom Bar Maghull Novices' Steeple Chase (Grade 1) 2m
A simple enough task on paper for DOUVAN and will be very very short odds to supplement his win at Cheltenham here.
At a decent EW price for the place money could be worth looking at FOX NATION who was third behind Douvan in the Arkle three weeks ago.
15.40 The Liverpool Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m ½f
Another small field expected with THISTLECRACK looking fairly unbeatable here based on all runs this season and a cosy win in the Stayers at Cheltenham.
The forecast bet is with DIFFERENT GRAVEY but the jolly should prevail with a clear round of jumping.
16.20 The Betfred Handicap Steeple Chase (Listed) 3m 1f
A 15 runner Listed Chase now, no 4 places of course, so we'll pick two to win versus the field. These are Mick Channon's WARDEN HILL one who hasn't been seen out for a year but has been in my notebook since some excellent runs last year.
And the yard also has KNOCK HOUSE so will have them both running for me and with Nina Carberry on board we have a good chance with a jockey who has good experience around this course.
17.15 The Crabbie's Grand National Steeple Chase (Grade 3) 4m 2½f
And now for the BIG ONE, 40 runners declared for a 4m 2f+ marathon over two circuits of this unique course and 30 fences to be jumped in all.
Last years' winner MANY CLOUDS takes his chance again this year looking to emulate Red Rum in winning consecutive renewals, certainly has a favourites chance for his connections and it would give Leighton Aspell a third win in a row too.
Would love to see him win again, though top weight is a big ask so am going with both GALLANT OSCAR / KRUZHLININ the latter would be giving Richard Johnson his overdue success in this race.
And if you want a really BIG punt on a massive price outsider (with a chance) then ROCKY CREEK at 100/1 from Paul Nicholls yard is the one, multiple winner over longer trips in excess of 3m+ and has raced over these fences a few times before. Has the same look as Comply or Die about him, worth a look at massive odds. Enjoy
18.10 The Pinsent Masons Handicap Hurdle (cond' and amat') (Class 2) 2m ½f
A simple enough task on paper for DOUVAN and will be very very short odds to supplement his win at Cheltenham here.
At a decent EW price for the place money could be worth looking at FOX NATION who was third behind Douvan in the Arkle three weeks ago.
15.40 The Liverpool Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m ½f
Another small field expected with THISTLECRACK looking fairly unbeatable here based on all runs this season and a cosy win in the Stayers at Cheltenham.
The forecast bet is with DIFFERENT GRAVEY but the jolly should prevail with a clear round of jumping.
16.20 The Betfred Handicap Steeple Chase (Listed) 3m 1f
A 15 runner Listed Chase now, no 4 places of course, so we'll pick two to win versus the field. These are Mick Channon's WARDEN HILL one who hasn't been seen out for a year but has been in my notebook since some excellent runs last year.
And the yard also has KNOCK HOUSE so will have them both running for me and with Nina Carberry on board we have a good chance with a jockey who has good experience around this course.
17.15 The Crabbie's Grand National Steeple Chase (Grade 3) 4m 2½f
And now for the BIG ONE, 40 runners declared for a 4m 2f+ marathon over two circuits of this unique course and 30 fences to be jumped in all.
Last years' winner MANY CLOUDS takes his chance again this year looking to emulate Red Rum in winning consecutive renewals, certainly has a favourites chance for his connections and it would give Leighton Aspell a third win in a row too.
Would love to see him win again, though top weight is a big ask so am going with both GALLANT OSCAR / KRUZHLININ the latter would be giving Richard Johnson his overdue success in this race.
And if you want a really BIG punt on a massive price outsider (with a chance) then ROCKY CREEK at 100/1 from Paul Nicholls yard is the one, multiple winner over longer trips in excess of 3m+ and has raced over these fences a few times before. Has the same look as Comply or Die about him, worth a look at massive odds. Enjoy
18.10 The Pinsent Masons Handicap Hurdle (cond' and amat') (Class 2) 2m ½f
Very much an event after the lord mayors' show, a race for conditional and amateurs to end with and a race that could go to anyone ... 22 runners, not a race for me but will have a little win/place wager on SGT RECKLESS to complete the Mick Channon team here today.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Have a wonderful weekend.
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