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 quarter miles. Like the 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 nearer the end of the card (due off about 5:15), I can only assume this is to try and gain a bigger TV audience.
The forecast going is now described as 'Good to Soft (Good in places)' and this 4m 2f+ trip will surely be run at a fast pace. You can see a link to the official going report here.
Two time winner TIGER ROLL (above) is NOT going to appear for a third try in the big race this year, but did turn up on Thursday for the Betway Bowl (finished 4th miles behind winner Clan Des Obeaux) and our likely favourite for today is the Jonjo O'Neill trained CLOTH CAP. Owned by Trevor Hemmings who is looking for his fourth winner of this famous race (pictured below). Other fancied runners include the Welsh National winner Secret Reprieve who needed three to come out at the final declaration stage but as only The Storyteller was withdrawn from the top 40 runners he'll miss out (reserve). There should be plenty of dangers especially from Ireland as all their top trainers are sending over horses after they've also held their own Irish Grand National on Bank Holiday Monday at Fairyhouse won by the front running Freewheelin Dylan @150/1.
Two time winner TIGER ROLL (above) is NOT going to appear for a third try in the big race this year, but did turn up on Thursday for the Betway Bowl (finished 4th miles behind winner Clan Des Obeaux) and our likely favourite for today is the Jonjo O'Neill trained CLOTH CAP. Owned by Trevor Hemmings who is looking for his fourth winner of this famous race (pictured below). Other fancied runners include the Welsh National winner Secret Reprieve who needed three to come out at the final declaration stage but as only The Storyteller was withdrawn from the top 40 runners he'll miss out (reserve). There should be plenty of dangers especially from Ireland as all their top trainers are sending over horses after they've also held their own Irish Grand National on Bank Holiday Monday at Fairyhouse won by the front running Freewheelin Dylan @150/1.
13:45 EFT Systems Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
3m 149y [22 runners]
Our opener on National day is a 3m+ handicap hurdle, we've a huge field of 22 declared overnight and this will surely be run at a furious pace so stamina will be put to the test. The big field is headed up by the 13yo stayer Unowhatimeanharry and Harry Fry's inmate is likely to lead them around as he did in the Pertemps final at the festival. Vulnerable to improves such as J'AI FROID [2nd @11/1] who has kept his winning run going over the longer trips and one to keep an eye on.
Two I like against the field in a wide open contest can be found towards the bottom of the weights here COME ON TEDDY has proved himself over the course and did us a big turn before Christmas and was third at the festival so stamina assured and should be staying on at the finish here looks a strong candidate. Also picking BALLYBEG, a very lightly raced horse, steps up in trip and is used to large fields given their last two wins albeit they have come in a much lower grade.
Our opener on National day is a 3m+ handicap hurdle, we've a huge field of 22 declared overnight and this will surely be run at a furious pace so stamina will be put to the test. The big field is headed up by the 13yo stayer Unowhatimeanharry and Harry Fry's inmate is likely to lead them around as he did in the Pertemps final at the festival. Vulnerable to improves such as J'AI FROID [2nd @11/1] who has kept his winning run going over the longer trips and one to keep an eye on.
Two I like against the field in a wide open contest can be found towards the bottom of the weights here COME ON TEDDY has proved himself over the course and did us a big turn before Christmas and was third at the festival so stamina assured and should be staying on at the finish here looks a strong candidate. Also picking BALLYBEG, a very lightly raced horse, steps up in trip and is used to large fields given their last two wins albeit they have come in a much lower grade.
Long shot - BARNAVIDDUN; @33/1 David Bridgewater runs this ex David Mullins Irish inmate here, could be well handicapped if ready to go looks too big a price to pass over.
Winner - (17) Hometown Boy @6/1f [Ciaran Gethings].
14.25 Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)
Winner - (17) Hometown Boy @6/1f [Ciaran Gethings].
14.25 Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)
2m 4f [13 runners]
A field of thirteen declared where BALLYADAM looks to gain the winning theme again having been no match for Appreciate It in the Supreme Hurdle at the festival, doesn't have that problem here and should be another one for the Henry De Bromhead / Rachael Blackmore combination.
A field of thirteen declared where BALLYADAM looks to gain the winning theme again having been no match for Appreciate It in the Supreme Hurdle at the festival, doesn't have that problem here and should be another one for the Henry De Bromhead / Rachael Blackmore combination.
DREAD DEAL didn't run at the festival but has been winning his last four NH events and two more on the level so has to be feared while continuing to improve, while the Skelton pair of Dan and Harry are in great form too running MY DROGO [Won] who also missed the festival after picking up a few smaller races earlier in the season.
Long Shot - LUCKY ONE Not too many Paul Nicholls outsiders here but this one did make all in a small race at Wincanton and if allowed to lead could be hard to reel in 50/1 looks big so a place bet for us [Fell four from home].
Winner - (10) My Drogo @5/4f [Harry Skelton].
15.00 The Doom Bar Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1)
Winner - (10) My Drogo @5/4f [Harry Skelton].
15.00 The Doom Bar Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1)
1m 7f 176y [5 runners]
A decent Grade 1 chase for these novice chasers, sadly only five declared with the useful SHISHKIN probably scaring most of the runners off. Forecast betting has the Henderson runner at 1/12F and nothing in the field is within about 20lb of the fav so this is going to be a race to sit back and watch rather than get involved with personally.
A decent Grade 1 chase for these novice chasers, sadly only five declared with the useful SHISHKIN probably scaring most of the runners off. Forecast betting has the Henderson runner at 1/12F and nothing in the field is within about 20lb of the fav so this is going to be a race to sit back and watch rather than get involved with personally.
Looking through the rest of the quintet we have Elvis Mail (N Alexander) winner at Ayr might be best once returning to the Scottish tracks, next up is Funambule Sivola (Venetia Williams) has four chase wins so looks the more reliable one for the forecast. Gumball (P Hobbs) fell at Cheltenham and a long way behind Shishkin at Kempton will need to find another race for the recovery mission and finally Longhouse Sale (D Skelton) winner of three chases, but pulled up last time.
Winner - (5) Shishkin @1/8f [Nico de Boinville].
15.35 Ryanair Stayers' Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1)
Winner - (5) Shishkin @1/8f [Nico de Boinville].
15.35 Ryanair Stayers' Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1)
3m 149y [15 runners]
Time for the stayers hurdle with a field of fifteen declared, probably the most competitive race bar the National today, the return of Paisley Park after his third in the Stayers Hurdle while Roksana is due to win a race of this calibre one day (3rd in Mares hurdle at Cheltenham) and THYME HILL who missed the festival late on but is very classy on his day and is the one for me out of the principles with the break possibly in his favour.
Time for the stayers hurdle with a field of fifteen declared, probably the most competitive race bar the National today, the return of Paisley Park after his third in the Stayers Hurdle while Roksana is due to win a race of this calibre one day (3rd in Mares hurdle at Cheltenham) and THYME HILL who missed the festival late on but is very classy on his day and is the one for me out of the principles with the break possibly in his favour.
Lisnagar Oscar fell early on in the Stayers, so my outsider is Indefatigable (Paul Webber) who also gets the 7lb weight allowance for the two mare's in the field (along with Roksana).
Winner - (11) Thyme Hill @5/2f [Tom O'Brien].
16.15 Betway Handicap Chase (Listed)
Winner - (11) Thyme Hill @5/2f [Tom O'Brien].
16.15 Betway Handicap Chase (Listed)
3m 210y [15 runners]
A big field now with 15 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. Usually I would want to rule out all those that have either a 'PFU' in their last run or two here, and that would often help to narrow it down a bit, although sadly (or not, depending on your point of view) that doesn't apply to many here so we have a good number of half decent jumpers to play with.
Lalor really should have been more successful than his record shows, while Cloudy Glen would be on my short list with the famous Trevor Hemmings colours on show, for me I'll back SNOW LEOPARDESS who ran a cracking race for us at the festival and looks to still be on the upgrade can gain some nice prize money here.
Winner - (5) Happygolucky @11/4f [David Bass].
17.15 Randox Health Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
A big field now with 15 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. Usually I would want to rule out all those that have either a 'PFU' in their last run or two here, and that would often help to narrow it down a bit, although sadly (or not, depending on your point of view) that doesn't apply to many here so we have a good number of half decent jumpers to play with.
Lalor really should have been more successful than his record shows, while Cloudy Glen would be on my short list with the famous Trevor Hemmings colours on show, for me I'll back SNOW LEOPARDESS who ran a cracking race for us at the festival and looks to still be on the upgrade can gain some nice prize money here.
Winner - (5) Happygolucky @11/4f [David Bass].
17.15 Randox Health Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
4m 2f 74y [40 runners]
And now for the Grand National itself, 40 runners declared for a 4m 2f+ marathon over two circuits of this unique course and 30 fences to be jumped in all. As we've already mentioned Cloth Cap is the lively favourite but far too short to be taking that over the fences here, but good luck to them all the same.
The talented Bristol De Mai heads the field and it would be an awesome weight carrying performance to win this with 11st 10lb, Yala Enki isn't the biggest and fell here in the Becher Chase last year so might find this too fast and furious again. There could be more from Burrows Saint, last years Irish National winner for Willie Mullins and likely to have plenty of support, along with Farclas (Mrs D Foster) who has been placed couple of times in big fields while Minella Times (H De Bromhead) runner up last twice running in the famous JP McManus silks, we will follow that trio against the field today.
And now for the Grand National itself, 40 runners declared for a 4m 2f+ marathon over two circuits of this unique course and 30 fences to be jumped in all. As we've already mentioned Cloth Cap is the lively favourite but far too short to be taking that over the fences here, but good luck to them all the same.
The talented Bristol De Mai heads the field and it would be an awesome weight carrying performance to win this with 11st 10lb, Yala Enki isn't the biggest and fell here in the Becher Chase last year so might find this too fast and furious again. There could be more from Burrows Saint, last years Irish National winner for Willie Mullins and likely to have plenty of support, along with Farclas (Mrs D Foster) who has been placed couple of times in big fields while Minella Times (H De Bromhead) runner up last twice running in the famous JP McManus silks, we will follow that trio against the field today.
While Potters Corner has won a Midlands National and the 2019 Welsh National too staying is not an issue, hasn't seen these fences before, plus has been kept over hurdles which is an unusual preparation. Mister Malarky and Vieux Lion Rouge tick several boxes the latter might be bit old for the stats followers but has far more experience of this course than most which must put him in with a shout for trainer David Pipe. Kimberlite Candy is a dual runner-up in the Becher Chase over the Grand National fences while Magic Of Light who was runner up to Tiger Roll in 2019 would be the first mare to win the race since Nickel Coin back in 1951.
The big wish is to see them ALL come back safe and sound.
The big wish is to see them ALL come back safe and sound.
Winner - (35) MINELLA TIMES @11/1 [RACHAEL BLACKMORE].
18:20 Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open NH Flat Race (Grade 2)
2m 209y [20 runners]
Very much an event after the lord mayors' show, a NH Bumper race to end the meeting with, not many over from Ireland for a change so will look towards SUPER SIX for Nigel Twiston-Davies the yard usually have a few nice bumpers to play with while Paul Nicholls has a couple here and his STAGE STAR looks the pick of them with Harry Cobden riding. Though this is not a race to be too involved in after the big one.
Winner - (10) Knappers Hill @8/1 [Megan Nicholls].
Results will be updated later during the afternoon, first five favourites win so shame the punters aren't on course to bash the bookies, but I really hope you have enjoyed a wonderful weekend and what a superstar Rachael Blackmore is !!
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