Our race-by-race preview and tips for Grand National day at Aintree, including the big one at 4pm.
Maghull Novices’ Chase
We kick off with the Grade 1 Maghull Novices’ Chase over 2 miles. There is likely to be plenty of early speed here with a number of front runners in the line up and that could play into the hands of the favourite, SALVATOR MUNDI, who could prove hard to beat.
Unibet are offering a boosted price of 6/5 (odds-on with most bookmakers).
It could also suit NO QUESTONS ASKED. He can’t afford to get too far behind, too early. The first time cheekpieces will hopefully help him to travel better and if they do he’ll be staying on strongly at the finish.
William Hill Handicap Hurdle
There’s a competitive handicap hurdle at 1.20pm, where any number of the 22 strong field can be given a chance.
The Ollie Murphy trained GOOD TO BE ALIVE isn’t the choice of stable jockey Sean Bowen, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he isn’t the strongest runner from the yard as Jack Kennedy rides a lot for owners Bective Stud. He should improve here for the step up in trip.
The others to focus on are at the foot of the weights.
KAKA’S COUSIN looks like a typical improver for the shrewd O’Neill yard and has untapped potential at this trip, whilst QUANTUM QUEST has already won over the trip and comes here fresh having not run since the start of December.
Both look well treated here.
Of those at bigger prices, both Eagle Fang and Minella Rescue make some appeal.
The latter ran well for us at this meeting last year at similarly large odds and the first time cheekpieces coupled with a return to the same course and distance could see him return to form. It's worth noting here that Paddy Power are offering 6 places on this race.
Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle
The card continues with Grade 1s sandwiched in between competitive handicaps and Dan Skelton looks to have a strong hand in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at 1.55pm.
We actually fancy what looks to be Skelton’s second string, SOLDIER REEVES, who comes here off of the back of a fine fourth in the Turners.
The big danger looks to be MONTEMARES for the in-form Tom Lacey yard. He won a decent contest at Kelso last time out and is very much on an upward curve.
There are a number of interesting runners at double figure prices including Charisma Cat, Lord Byron and Zanndabad. Slight preference is for LORD BYRON, who looks worth another try over a longer trip and who gets a handy weight allowance.
William Hill Handicap Chase
Tom Lacey has another decent chance in the staying handicap chase at 2.30pm, where Cruz Control goes for a third straight win in the race. However, we think he will have to go some to beat MR HOPE STREET, who looks to have been laid out for this.
Lookaway and Brave Fortune are respected, but DEEP CAVE could be the other one to be on. He won for us at the meeting last year over hurdles, so hopefully this is his time of year.
It will also be interesting to see how In Love, fairs. French raiders like him can often be underestimated in the market.
Liverpool Hurdle
The final race before the National is the Liverpool Hurdle, where HONESTY POLICY looks to be one of the best bets on the card.
He ran really well in a muddling Stayers Hurdle at the Festival, and won the Grade 1 Mersey Hurdle here last season. He is lightly raced enough to have more improvement in him than any of his rivals.
These staying hurdlers are often difficult to predict and so in anticipation of another shock HEWICK could be worth an interest at a big price. He wasn’t beaten far in the Stayers and should strip fitter here, on his second start after a wind op. He bounces off decent ground.
Grand National Handicap Chase
The world’s greatest horse race is up next and this year’s renewal looks to be one of the classiest in recent memory.
Our prediction for the first five home is:
1st – Monty’s Star
2nd – Panic Attack
3rd – Oscar’s Brother
4th – Quai de Bourbon
5th - Iroko
For those looking to back something at massive odds, the likes of High Class Hero, Firefox and Top Of The Bill appeal most.
Standard Open NH Flat Race
Our three picks in the last race of the Festival are RICES POOL, ONE KNIGHT and LE ROI REMI.