Aintree Grand National Day Tips: @RoadCheltenham Gives His Saturday Aintree Picks
It’s Grand National Day at Aintree and all eyes will be on Merseyside for one of the most famous races of them all. Approximately 80,000 racegoers will be in attendance but it isn’t just about the National, with three Grade 1s on the card.
I’ve attempted to go through the card, looking at all seven races with a view to ending the Aintree Grand National on a high! Fingers crossed we have a couple of winners on what should be an exciting day of racing.
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13:20 Aintree - William Hill Handicap Hurdle
Dan Skelton has the favourite in WEST BALBOA and I can certainly see the angle with her. The form of her victory at the course in November has worked out well enough and she could go off very short given connections have an excellent record in these big field handicaps.
As an each way play, BLACK BAMBOO is interesting. He was some 11 lengths behind Langer Dan at Cheltenham last month but that form looks strong now with the Skelton runner beaten by a neck in a Grade 1 on Thursday. The step back up to three miles will suit and he’s a contender for sure.
13:55 Aintree - Mersey Novices' Hurdle
This race is all about BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD for me. Connections have never tried to hide the fact that they love this horse and I’m confident she can make amends for the defeat in the Mares Novice Hurdle. The step up to 2m4f will suit and the soft ground will be absolutely fine for her.
Ile Atlantique is becoming increasingly difficult to back and Paul Townend has deserted him for JIMMY DU SEUIL. I found that choice very interesting indeed as he’d previously spoken very highly of the Tony Bloom runner. I like Jimmy Du Seuil’s profile for the future but that isn’t to say he can’t go well here.
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14:30 Aintree - William Hill Handicap Chase
THE KING OF RYHOPE looked the winner all over at Ascot before a final fence blunder put him out of contention. However, he’s up just 3lbs for that run and I’d say he could be a fair bit better than his mark of 137. The trainer knows how to get one ready and he has a super chance.
I quite like DEMNAT at a big price for Venetia Williams. He ran well for a long way at Cheltenham before tiring and this track is less of a stamina test – it should be much more up his street.
15:05 Aintree - Liverpool Hurdle
This is a competitive race but HIDDENVALLEY LAKE ticks plenty of boxes and I’d like to think he can go close for Henry de Bromhead and the Robcour team. He was a superb winner of the Boyne Hurdle in February and he will be fresher than many in the field after bypassing Cheltenham.
One who didn’t skip the Festival but does revert back to hurdles after a poor showing in the Cheltenham Gold Cup is MONKFISH. The owner wanted him to run in the Stayers Hurdle last month but Willie Mullins opted to go down the Gold Cup route. He might just be the classiest horse in this race.
16:00 Aintree - Grand National
’ve got three fancies for the Grand National: MEETINGOFTHEWATERS, I AM MAXIMUS and PANDA BOY. The former was the first horse I backed for the race and I think he has a cracking chance – he’s unexposed, he travels well and he stays well. But he’s a 7-year-old and that is a slight concern given the history.
I’ve warmed up to I Am Maximus in recent weeks and he ticks plenty of boxes. He is an Irish Grand National winner and he won the Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February and that race is often a superb indicator as to the National at Aintree.
Panda Boy is slightly more left-field but he will have his supporters. Martin Brassil is one of the shrewdest trainers in the sport and if anyone can get one ready for the big day, it’s him. He ran a nice prep race over hurdles in February but this has been his target for some time.
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17:00 Aintree - Maghull Novices’ Chase
FOUND A FIFTY is a worthy favourite and he sets the standard – particularly with Il Etait Temps franking his form on Thursday afternoon. Gordon Elliott will have him pencilled in as one of his top chances of the week and he could prove too good if he is back to his brilliant best.
He’s a short enough price but ETALON is another that deserves respect. Unlike Found A Fifty, he does not have tried and tested Grade 1 form in the book but he’s always been highly regarded at Dan Skelton’s yard. I’m very interested to see how he fares in what is a hot enough race.
17:35 Aintree - Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race
MISTER MEGGIT could be the standout horse in the race and it’ll be interesting to see if he can make it three out of three in bumpers. He goes on the ground and has recorded the highest RPR of any runner in the race – giving him a favourite’s chance of success.
I’m not a huge fan of all-weather bumpers but TRIPOLI FLYER won a decent race at Lingfield and he could make into a nice type. This isn’t a race I’ll be getting too involved in if truth be told but he’s on my radar for an each way bet.