ITV Racing Grand National Preview
IT’S THE FINAL DAY OF THE AINTREE GRAND NATIONAL FESTIVAL! The big one is at 5.15 and is not to be missed. We have previews for all 7 races on the card again.
Make sure you scroll right down to the bottom to see any multiples we are placing. These can be added direct to your bet365 bet slip.
ITV Racing Grand National Preview
2.25 Aintree Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m4f
3.00 Aintree Doom Bar Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 2m
3.35 Aintree Ryanair Stayers Hurdle (Liverpool Hurdle) (Grade 1) 3m1/2f
4.15 Aintree Betway Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 3m1f
5.15 Aintree Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 4m21/2f
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Aintree 1.45 EFT Systems Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 3m1/2f
A wide open handicap to start the day with only 3 horses at single figure prices at the time of writing. The Pertemps form is usually a good guide for this race and COME ON TEDDY ran a cracker in third at the Festival. The winner Mrs Milner was so well handicapped and The Bosses Oscar is held in high regard. He is up 3lb for that run but if in the same form he will go close.
Champagne Platinum who we sided with in the Pertemps is definitely a danger after finishing fifth but he lacked fluency so is going to need to jump better to land a blow. He is off the same mark though so shouldn’t be far away. Given Paul Nicholls has done well with horses with first time cheekpieces in handicaps I’m keen to keep an eye on SOUTHFIELD HARVEST and I can see him being a bit of a market mover on the day. Definitely worth including at a double-figure price at the time of writing.
Aintree 2.25 Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m4f
Preview MY DROGO here
Aintree 3.00 Doom Bar Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 2m
This race never attracts a big field but SHISHKIN has scared them all off and is 1/6 favourite as a result. He is rated 19lb clear of anything in this field after bolting up in the Arkle at Cheltenham and barring any mistakes he will make it 8 wins in-a-row at Aintree on Saturday.
Gumball is second fav and like Funambule Sivola he likes to go forward so they could get taken out of their comfort zone early by Shishkin and I think the bet in the race is ELVIS MAIL W/O SHISHKIN who has solid form and will be ridden to pick up the pieces behind the classy favourite.
Aintree 3.35 Ryanair Stayers Hurdle (Liverpool Hurdle) (Grade 1) 3m1/2f
Preview THYME HILL here
Aintree 4.15 Betway Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 3m1f
A chance for redemption for HAPPYGOLUCKY who was one of our best bets in the handicaps going into Cheltenham. 2 flights from home you would have thought he would have beaten Vintage Clouds but the winner pulled off an exceptional display to outstay him. This looks like the ideal race to go one better for the selection with Aintree less testing and the ground looking a bit quicker. If he is in the same form the extra 2lb shouldn’t stop him going close in this.
The main danger looks to be SAM BROWN and at the current prices (10/1) is worth a saver as his form is solid and the times back it up. Top Notch ran a cracker behind The Shunter and will go well again.
Aintree 5.15 Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 4m21/2f
As usual we’ve taken four horses in the race and our main play is FARCLAS for ‘sneezy’ Foster and Gold Cup winner Jack Kennedy. This horse has plenty of class and won the Triumph Hurdle back in 2018 a lot like Grand National hero Tiger Roll. He has been running creditably in strong handicaps over 3 miles and had the rest well beaten just bumping into The Shunter in the Plate at Cheltenham last month. That was a big run and he strikes me as a horse with more to give. He has a big engine and ticks plenty of the trends too. At around 20/1 at the time of writing I think he is a cracking bet and is a must for anyones shortlist.
My second play in the race looks the best value at 33/1. I can see this unique test really suiting VALUE TIP and if he is enjoying himself early his price should quickly collapse in-running. He is a good jumper and should stay given he has dominated rivals over 3 miles in testing ground. This quicker surface does ask a question but if he copes with it I think he ticks a lot of b boxes here. His jockey Daryl Jacob knows what it takes to win this prestigious prize and I’m hoping he has him well positioned throughout. It often takes a horse with a bit of class to win this race and there is none more classy than him. He carries top-weight but that’s with good reason.
2019 second in this race MAGIC OF LIGHT bids to go one better rated 5lb higher but the way the weights have worked out she is only carrying an extra 2lb. She has run over hurdles this year likely to get her ready for this which is pretty standard prep for staying chasers. She thrives over a test of stamina, meets plenty of the trends and even though a third of the price she was in 2019 she will run a big race again.
After bouncing back to form last time ACAPELLA BOURGEOIS at 33/1 looks an appealing price considering the horse he beat last time Burrows Saint is a third of the price at the time of writing and the selection is better off at the weights. You can see why Burrows Saint is well fancied as an 8 year old and still have more to come but Acapella Bourgeois beat him by 4 lengths last time so I expected him to be much shorter in the market. He will be right up there throughout, will stay the trip and give you a good run for your money.
Aintree 6.20 Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open NH Flat Race (Grade 2) 2m1f
This looks wide open and I’m keen to take on the top 2 in the market. I’ve backed two that have caught my eye at big prices so hopefully we can end on a high. FINE CASTING is well regarded by the yard and while he needs to improve to get involved here he did impress last time and is open to plenty of improvement. Getting a toe into it will probably help him if anything and I don’t see him as a 28/1 shot by any means.
I’ve also backed PRESSURE SENSITIVE for Jonjo O’Neill. This horse is 2-2 and while he might need a bit of cut to be seen to best effect he is certainly talented and again I can see him running better than his odds suggest. He still looked green at Wetherby before really finding his stride and if he can step forward another chunk he will definitely have a squeak in here. At a massive price Brave Kingdom might run well too but he is the likely pace angle so I just worry he’ll be vulnerable as to how this pans out but again probably a bit overpriced. The market seems so keen on the front two and I don’t think that’s right.
ITV Racing Each Way Double
With 5 races live on ITV Racing again on Saturday afternoon we have picked out two horses at decent odds we can see running well. If both place we should still make some nice profit so they’re worth including.
ITV Racing Each Way Trixie
We also have an Each Way Trixie on Saturday afternoon. These are three horses we fancy strongly running live on ITV Racing. If 2/3 win we should still get a nice return.
ITV Racing Each Way Trixie
Aintree 2.25 My Drogo NAP
Aintree 3.35 Thyme Hill NEXT BEST
Aintree 4.15 Happygolucky
Pays 40/1!