Ed Quigley: A 22/1 tip for the Irish Grand National and a 33/1 King George selection

Our top long-range tipster Ed Quigley is back for his weekly column, and he picks out some eye-catching big-priced selections for both the Irish Grand National and the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day...

Aintree is done and dusted for another year, but to cut straight to the point; there was one horse that really stood out to me in regards to the future, and when dovetailed with his price of 33/1 for the King George VI Chase, HITMAN is a six-year-old who has the scope to dine at the top table. The Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old jumped and travelled beautifully in the Marsh (Melling Chase) and looked to have odds-on favourite, and eventual winner Fakir D'Oudairies in some danger before looking outpaced in the closing stages, but nonetheless galloped on for second. Nicholls indicated in the aftermath that this improving sort will be upped to 3m next season, and he is "far from the finished article". With more time and experience, there can only be more improvement to come, and this big scopey sort looks as though the extra distance and a more galloping test would really suit him. He is one for the portfolio to tuck away over the summer.

To more immediate affairs; I think STOLEN SILVER is the one to beat in Cheltenham's SIlver Trophy on Wednesday. Beaten into fourth by Coole Cody in the Plate at the Cheltenham Festival, the Sam Thomas representative is likely to reoppose his conqueror here, but on 8lb better terms. The prospect of much quicker ground than what they raced on last month will also be a big fillip for the seven-year-old who can cash in against some aging legs. Off 143, I think Stolen SIlver has a lot going for him, and providing there is enough petrol left in the tank at the end of a long season, he could have the measure of his rivals on this occasion with Sam Twiston-Davies doing the steering.

The Irish Grand National is next Monday, and I am going to take a flier with 22/1 poke RONALD PUMP. Yes he is short on experience over fences, with one win from his four starts, but has some top class form over hurdles to his name including chasing home Honeysuckle in back-to-back Hatton's Grace Hurdles, bringing his form figures at Fairyhouse to 9111222 (with the '9' coming in his early days over an inadequate 2m). He shaped like a proper test of stamina will really suit him when second at Naas on his return to fences last time out. Connections seem keen to have a crack at this, and he could be the joker in the pack here.

Advice:

Stolen Silver, 14:05 Cheltenham, Wednesday 13th April, 1pt win 4/1
Ronald Pump, Irish Grand National, Fairyhouse, Monday 18th April, 1pt win 22/1 (Bet365)
Hitman, King George VI Chase, Kempton, Monday 26th December, 1pt win 33/1 (Unibet)