Ed Quigley: Two tips for the weekend and a 16/1 bet for the Grand National

Our star columnist Ed Quigley is back for his weekly look at the racing, and he has picked out two horses for this weekend's action, as well as a long-range tip for the 2022 Grand National...

DO YOUR JOB can land the Future Champion Novices' Chase at Ayr for the Michael Scudamore team. He holds an engagement in a stacked looking handicap chase a day earlier, so would much prefer to see him run in the Saturday event, where on official figures he should be right in the mix. Stepped up in trip to 2m4f at Newcastle last time out, he got his act together over fences, scoring cosily. It was far from blemish free, but just going that stride slower he looked happier and that confidence boosting victory will have done him the world of good. A versatile sort in regards to underfoot requirements, he is still unexposed, and with next season in mind, three mils looks as though it could easily be within reach.

Providing ground conditions at Newbury have more 'Good' in the going description than anything else, then I wouldn't be shocked to see the Alan King trained NINA THE TERRIER coming back to form with a bite. he has options, but the EBF Mares' Series Final would be tailor made for her. Her handler has made no secret of the fact that she must have a sound surface to be seen at her best - something she has not had on her last three starts. A previous course winner, she has gears, and was also in the process of giving the classy mare Elle Est Belle a race at this venue back in November before crashing out at the last flight. As long as the rain stays away, she has massive claims of putting her best foot forward here.

Aintree's Grand National meeting is just over a week away (and the Masters for golf addicts like myself!) and the feature race is starting to shape up nicely. Unsurprisingly, the Irish look to have a strong hand. Kildisart for the Ben Pauling team is already in the antepost book for this column, but having swerved the the temptation of the Cheltenham Gold Cup to go straight to Aintree, the Colin Tizzard-trained FIDDLERONTHEROOF looks to tick a lot of the right boxes. He shapes as though a proper examination of stamina will suit, and I think we saw evidence of that with his runner-up efforts at Newbury and Ascot on his last two starts. Generally a sound jumper, he looks to have the tools to handle this assignment and off a mark of 155 can give a very good account of himself. No doubt there will be a couple more selections added to the stable next week - not long until the fun in LIverpool begins!

Advice:

Do Your Job, Ayr 15:00, Saturday 2nd April, 1pt win
Nina The Terrier, Newbury 14:45,  Saturday 2nd April, 1pt win
Fiddlerontheroof, Aintree 17:15, Grand National, Saturday 9th April, 1pt win 16/1 (generally)