Aintree's Grand National is the most popular jumps race on the calendar as 40 runners take on the daunting obstacle of 30 fences over the course of four and a half miles.Like millions of others I will not be going and instead catching it on ITV. The TV channels recently changed the timing of the race so it's near the end of the card, I can only assume this is to try and gain a bigger TV audience though there are plenty of other events on this weekend.
The forecast going is now described as "GOOD" and this 4m 2f+ trip will surely be run at a fast pace.
Last years winner RULE THE WORLD (above) is an absentee having been retired not long after his success, and of course we lost previous winner MANY CLOUDS a couple of months ago too. We should remember those that come to entertain us and are sadly no more.
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 Gaskells Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 3m ½f
Our opener on National day is a 3m+ handicap hurdle, we've a huge field of 22 declared overnight and this will be run at a decent pace. With the forecast prices 8/1 the field we can go for a couple at fancy prices WHATAKNIGHT [6th 12/1] being our first selection for Noel Fehily a winner twice this season and had a month break since runner up to Bryden Boy at Doncaster last month.
Also at attractive odds is DESERT CRY [13th 50/1]. This regular performer has been in great form this season too and can defy a large weight for trainer Don McCain who's family is of course synonymous with Aintree over the years.
14.25 Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f
Our second race could well be at the mercy of the in form Colin Tizzard team with FINIAN'S OSCAR [WON 3/1]. Comes here with an unbeaten record and has already proven over the trip, and the grade and with the stable flying should be tough to beat.
LOUGH DERG SPIRIT [Pulled up 8/1] for Nicky Henderson another yard in great order this month could be the one to give the selection most to think about although stepping up from 2m is a concern. A cracking race to enjoy.
LOUGH DERG SPIRIT [Pulled up 8/1] for Nicky Henderson another yard in great order this month could be the one to give the selection most to think about although stepping up from 2m is a concern. A cracking race to enjoy.
15.00 The Doom Bar Maghull Novices' Steeple Chase (Grade 1) 2m
A very disappointing field of five for this Grade one event, an odds on fav in CHARBEL (LOST, never jumping well and successful lay at 6/5F) but that's based on a defeat by ALTIOR and has fallen at Cheltenham when trying to take that horse on again. At the short price the feeling is to oppose and lay it with the pair of Paul Nicholls horses the main opposition SAN BENEDETO (WON 4/1) / POLITOLOGUE (Fell at last with race at his mercy) with the latter the pick of those on form.
15.40 The Betway Handicap Chase (Listed) 3m 1f
A big field now with 18 declared for this chase, sure a race where the jockeys will be praying for a clear round so not to compromise their rides in the big race later.
The consistency of I JUST KNOW [Pulled Up 7/1] who has not been out of the first 2 in all starts this season off since winning Catterick and comes here fairly fresh off a 10lb higher mark. I would wish to pair that with the David Pipe horse STARCHITECT [3rd 5/1] who continues to improve as he's stepped up in trip the yard know a thing or two about progressive handicappers and I'm sure the market will be very informative.
16.20 The Ryanair Stayers' Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m ½f
Just 11 runners now as The New One will not turn out again having run on Wednesday. YANWORTH [WON 9/4F] didn't fire in the Champion Hurdle and is stepped up in trip for this, usually runs well away from Cheltenham but surely exposed to horses with proven staying power.
Cole Harden and Supasundae are both very capable but the ground might not be to their liking, so it's a punt on a big price selection for us which is AUX PTITS SOINS [8th 20/1] lightly raced but from the Paul Nicholls yard and 20/1 looks huge.
17.15 Randox Health 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.
So much required here, staying power, jumping and all the luck needed to avoid the falls, debris and loose horses too. Look to one with proven ability around this unique course and fences and that's VIEUX LION ROUGE [6th 12/1] who has won the Beecher Chase in the past and was 7th here last year. A year older and in excellent hands could improve a bit as an 8yo, worth a shout.
While the top pair THE LAST SAMURI and MORE OF THAT have been well supported for this they don't appear that well handicapped, have too much weight and lack the profile to win this difficult contest, although many will point out that the former was runner up last year he's nearly a stone higher now and you have to go back to the great Red Rum for a horse to win off top weight. Sorry just can't see it happening this year. Well I got those two right they were never in with a shout and easy lays.
More of That has mainly been running in small fields and surely this will all happen far too quickly and be too confusing for that one to mount a real challenge, hard a difficult time in the Gold Cup and hasn't really stepped up from hurdling over the larger obstacles will be surprised if it makes it round to be honest.
One at a huge price is DOUBLE SHUFFLE [Pulled up 2 from home] (66/1) has a win this term, couple of decent place efforts too and while his inexperience counts against him if he's still there after the first circuit could be interesting, risks attached of course but hence the big price.
18.15 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 ... 19 runners, not a race for me but will have a little win/place wager on JACKS LAST HOPE [Pulled up 16/1] and COUSIN OSCAR [Pulled up 12/1] against the field.
Results will be updated later
Hope you have enjoyed a wonderful weekend.
Hope you have enjoyed a wonderful weekend.
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