Hot tips for the final day of the prestigious Aintree meeting.
1.45 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle 2m4f
I had my doubts over PEDDLERS CROSS getting the 2m5f at Cheltenham, but he blew those away with an impressive performance in the Neptune Novices’ and it’s hard to see past him here. The slight worry is that a lot of Cheltenham winners have been turned over this week but Donald McCain, his trainer, reports him in great nick at home and the stable continues in top form. With the exception of Najaf, the opposition is nothing out of the ordinary either, so I’m happy to take the 6/5 (Paddy Power).
2.15 Maghull Novices’ Chase 2m
The Arkle has been a good guide to this race in the past with nine of the last 10 winners having contested the championship two miler. That points to the chances of Osana, who finished third to Sizing Europe at Cheltenham and will be better suited by this track. However, I’m quite sweet on the chances of GREEN BELT ELITE, who has looked really progressive this season in winning three of his four stats (albeit in handicaps) and is reportedly over the minor setback which forced him to be withdrawn from the Grand Annual on the morning of the race. Granted, he’s got to find a bit on the ratings but his fast, accurate jumping and high cruising speed will make him hard to beat around here and, at 12/1 (William Hill), he’s value too.
2.50 Dick Francis Aintree Hurdle 2m4f
This is tricky to call as I’m not sure Khyber Kim (5/2 Sportingbet) will be anywhere near his best over 2m4f after a hard race in the Champion Hurdle, while Zaynar (7/4 bet365) is never one to take a short price about. I can’t enthuse about Celestial Halo either as he’s twice run poorly in this race after running at the festival. The Irish have a decent record with 10 wins in 16 years, so perhaps Muirhead (14/1 William Hill) or Won In The Dark (33/1 Stan James) might cause a shock? Then again. I might just wait until the race goes in-running as ZAYNAR is likely to drift out to a decent price when he hits his usual flat spot – anyone want to lay me 3/1?
3.25 John Smith’s Handicap Chase 3m1f
The last chance to boost your Grand National betting bank and DOM D'ORGEVAL looks nicely treated here off 10st 3lb. He wouldn’t want the ground to dry out too much but he’d walk this on some of his old form and, since returning to his old trainer Nick Williams, he has looked more like his old self. At 11/1 with Totesport, it’s worth paying to find out.
4.15 Grand National 4m4f
The big one and, although I’ve previewed this race elsewhere, here are my four against the field in no particular order: ARBOR SUPREME (18/1 Blue Square), CHARACTER BUILDING (20/1 Stan James), COMPLY OR DIE (22/1 Sportingbet) and MALJIMAR (33/1 bet365). All bookmakers mentioned are going one quarter the odds, 1.2.3.4.5 – don’t accept anything less!
5.00 John Smith’s Handicap Hurdle 2m110yards
This looks just as hard as the National and it’s no surprise there hasn’t been a winning favourite since 1994, which rules out Ghizao (8/1 bet365). Cheltenham runners have fared badly too so, with that in mind, I’ll go with Malcolm Jefferson’s ISSAQUAH (14/1 Paddy Power), who is in good form and must have a squeak in an open race.
5.35 Champion Standard Open NH Flat Race 2m1f
I’m not a massive fan of these bumper races as a betting medium, but DARE ME is worth chancing at what should be double-figure odds – I’m hoping to beat Paddy Power’s current best quote of 11/1 in the morning. He was only sixth in the Champion Bumper but had looked the real deal when winning at Ffos Las previously and the yard has been sending out a constant stream of winners in recent weeks.
Good luck with your Aintree bets!