Best Of Bets

Category: Horse Racing

  • Four To Follow – Irish Grand National

    Four To Follow – Irish Grand National

    An Easter Monday special as the whole of Ireland heads to Fairyhouse for the final Grand National of the jumps season, the Irish Grand National. Many heroes have been made from this race and have even won Gold Cups and Aintree Nationals. Who will add their name to the illustrious list.

    Baggins?

    2:40 – O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle (Grade Two) – Its Bilbo @ 9/4 (William Hill)

    Surprisingly, Willie Mullins has not succeeded in this race since 2019 when French made landed the spoils. It always seems to be his eighth or ninth string of juveniles so it’s not worth trusting Blue Lemons. Instead Its Bilbo looks more solid. Broke his maiden on soft ground at Punchestown before finishing fifth in a Grade Two. Then beaten a head last time out, this could be his chance to shine.

    Finally, It’s Mee

    3:50 – Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle (Grade Two) – Kopeck De Mee @ 5/2 (William Hill)

    Kopeck De Mee has been a funny character since arriving from France. Completely bombed in the Martin Pipe but then somehow rebounded no end to finish a neck second in a handicap hurdle at Aintree. Maybe out of a handicap, Kopeck De Mee can fulfil his full potential after scoring at Listed level in France.

    If the ground let’s down Kopeck De Mee, Lantry Lady is a useful each-way alternative. Won last years Red Mills Trial Hurdle by 9.5L on deep going before finishing fifth in the Mares Hurdle. Was meant to go chasing this year, but that came to a screeching halt when she finished 25L behind Fun Fun Fun. Back over hurdles at an optimum distance she can’t be overlooked. 8/1 (William Hill).

    All Heart

    4:20 – Fairyhouse Chase (Grade Two) – Heart Wood @ 5/6 (General)

    Dropped in grade, no obvious threats from the Willie Mullins yard and finishing second in two Grade One’s this year points to all things Heart Wood in the Fairyhouse Chase. Ground shouldn’t be a problem after beating Corbetts Cross at Wexford on soft ground back in October. He also has a big weight allowance and is one of the highly rated horses in the race. Henry de Bromhead could have a big day in the spotlight if all goes his way.

    Welsh Rare-bit

    5:00 – Boylesports Irish Grand National (Grade Three) – Haiti Couleurs @ 7/1 (William Hill)

    Winning this race for Haiti Couleurs will undoubtedly be one of the stories of the season in terms of how quick and how big a horse can progress. Racing in a class three hurdles and chases all season before hacking up by 4.5L in the National Hunt Chase. Captain Cody and Klarc Kent from that race completed the one-two at Ayr last week in the Scottish Grand National, the form all points in the direction of the Welsh-trained wonder.

    The Irish won’t want the prize heading over the Irish Sea and Daily Present for Paul Nolan will lead the charge of those at an each-way price. Another who won at Cheltenham, narrowly by a neck in the Kim Muir. Interestingly he pulled up in last year’s Irish Grand National off a mark 10lbs lower than today. However, the ground may be more suitable and has made considerable progression this season. 16/1 (William Hill).

    Willie Mullins is never out of the conversation, no matter the race. Sa Majeste may have been one of the more fancied handicap runners at the Festival, and placed a far way behind Daily Present in third in the Kim Muir. However, previous to that picked up a significant three-mile Rated chase win at Fairyhouse. That doesn’t put Sa Majeste totally out of the picture. 16/1 (William Hill).

  • Plumpton Sussex Champion Hurdle Day | A real course specialist

    Plumpton Sussex Champion Hurdle Day | A real course specialist

    Willie Mullins vs Dan Skelton continues this weekend with Sunday’s Plumpton Sussex Champion Hurdle Day, and this piece highlights two selections to consider.

    Saturday’s selections for the column can be filed in the ‘unfortunate’ section of the filing cabinet, mainly due to the eye-catching finish of Got Grey over at Haydock.

    Let’s hope for a nice rub of the green today.

    Plumpton Sussex Champion Hurdle Day

    2:20 Plumpton – Alien Storm @ 7/2 with William Hill – 1pt Win

    I think the second race at Plumpton on Sunday is between the market principles, and while Bob Bob Ricard has his chance, it’s Alien Storm who I like.

    He’s a course specialist with three wins, one third, and one fall, and he last won at the track over two furlongs further three starts ago on soft ground.

    It’s fair to say his best form comes on better ground, so that was a fair effort, and he beat Diplomatic Ash that day who has won twice since.

    He comes back to 2m1f today which should be no problem as he won nicely over this course and distance in September off a 8lb lower mark.

    The seven-year-old has thrived over fences this season, and I don’t think his mark of 121 is unreasonable at all. He beat the 135-rated Our Champ in a novice hurdle at the track in October 2022, and he had a chance to beat Our Champ in September 2023 when giving 7lbs away if not for falling at the last.

    There’s a reasonable case to back him here, so he’s the vote.

    4:05 Plumpton – Hansard @ 17/2 with William Hill (3 places) – 0.5pt EW

    It’s a really warm renewal of the Sussex Champion Hurdle this year. Thank you, Mr Mullins.

    Even away from Closutton, horses like Our Champ and Tounsivator represent good form, but I want to give Hansard another chance.

    I backed him at both Cheltenham and Aintree this season, the latter was the most promising run when finishing a fine ninth.

    It was his first try at 2m4f, and he gave me a really good run for my money until he belted the second-last hurdle and found the extra few furlongs too much work.

    He’s dropped down to a mark of 139, which is 1lb higher than the rating he had when he won the Gerry Feilden in 2023, beating Brentford Hope and Bad.

    He will pop up soon, and with drying conditions aiding his chance, his day can feasibly be today.

  • Free Haydock Park & Musselburgh Saturday Tips | Batt away

    Free Haydock Park & Musselburgh Saturday Tips | Batt away

    It’s a quiet Saturday for racing, but there’s action from Haydock Park and Musselburgh on ITV Racing to keep an eye on.

    I was looking forward to seeing what the ground would be like at Fairyhouse today, but the first day of the Irish Grand National meeting has been called off. Hopefully, they can get the next two days on.

    Anyway, let’s dive in.

    Free Haydock Park & Musselburgh Saturday Tips

    2:05 Haydock – Got Grey @ 10/3 with William Hill – 1pt Win

    Dan Skelton may have worked his magic with Got Grey to get him down to a nice mark of 110 for this Two Mile Series Final Handicap Hurdle.

    The six-year-old grey reached a peak rating of 116 at the beginning of this season, but three runs since the start of February has sorted his handicap rating out nicely.

    Two efforts came on soft ground and one came at the start of March over 2m5f when priced at 33/1. All three of these runs saw him run without his usual tongue tie.

    The tongue tie is back on today, and two miles on good ground should really suit him.

    As for his form, he ran in a 2m4f Aintree handicap hurdle in October over 2m4f and he arguably didn’t truly see out the trip. Kamsinas, the winner, is a very solid mid-130 horse for Fergal O’Brien and the second, Long Draw, has won two Class 2 handicaps since.

    Today looks like his gold cup; hopefully, this is the case.

    3:00 Musselburgh – Jer Batt @ 4/1 with Betfred – 1pt Win

    The Scottish Sprint Cup looks like a nice race to have a play in, and Jer Batt is the one I’m siding with.

    The David & Nicola Barron-trained five-year-old shared a place on my shortlist alongside Jm Jungle, but the latter has saved his winning for the second-half of the season over the last two years, and he is on a career-high mark of 93.

    So, Jer Batt is the one, even if he is also on a career-high mark.

    Even with this knowledge, he won a Haydock handicap off 87 last year when running to an RPR of 100 before finishing second in two further handicaps off 92 and 91.

    The former came when behind Shagraan and ahead of American Affair, with whom he gets a 2lb swing, and the latter came when second to Cover Up in October, with whom he gets a 4lb swing.

    Jer Batt won on his sole start over this course and distance in April 2023, and he also won on his seasonal reappearance in 2023, so he is a horse that can go well fresh.

    3:15 Haydock – Le Milos @ 6/1 with William Hill (3 places) – 1pt EW

    There’s a fair chance that Le Milos could be too good in the Middle Distance Veterans’ Handicap Chase, and his handicap mark of 141 doesn’t look too bad.

    He won this qualifier at Warwick in February when well-backed into favourtism, and he’s just 2lbs higher today, which is kind.

    The 10-year-old won on soft ground that day, but he won his 2022 Coral Gold Cup on good ground, so the conditions shouldn’t be an issue for him, and one can assume this £100,000 final has been the plan for a while.

    I don’t think this race is a vintage renewal, and there’s just 6lbs separating the top four in the handicap, so I’m hoping Le Milos’ class can see him win this big pot for Dan Skelton.

  • All-Weather Championships Finals Day Tips 2025 | That’s great Banter

    All-Weather Championships Finals Day Tips 2025 | That’s great Banter

    It’s not just Friday, it’s Good Friday, and the horse racing action continues in the UK, so today’s column includes All-Weather Championships Finals Day Tips to consider.

    The column landed another winner for the week thanks to Shakeyatailfeather in the penultimate contest at Cheltenham, so let’s hope the form continues with these two selections at Newcastle.

    Roll on.

    All-Weather Championships Finals Day Tips

    1:50 Newcastle – Good Banter @ 10/1 with William Hill (4 places) – 1pt EW

    There’s reason to believe that Good Banter will come on nicely for his first two runs in handicaps this year.

    His first effort came at Lingfield in February where he finished sixth, but he raced very wide throughout and stayed on in the final few strides.

    He was sent off the 11/4 favourite that day, and he even went off as the 11/8 favourite on his next start at Southwell over seven furlongs.

    The three-year-old colt by Calyx ran a fine race, but he didn’t seem to stay the seven-furlong test, and Rossa Ryan wasn’t overly concerned when he knew the race was gone.

    He’s been kindly dropped two pounds for those two runs, and one can imagine this has been a plan for a while considering he won two six-furlong novice events at Wolverhampton last season.

    The latter of these efforts saw him beat The Quiet Gent and Don Pacifico, both of whom won on their next starts, when giving seven pounds away.

    He’s had a nice 34-day period to come on for those first two runs of the season fitness-wise, so he’s the play here.

    3:00 Newcastle – Popmaster @ 9/1 with Betfred (4 places) – 1pt EW

    Popmaster has run some very solid races for a long time, and yet, he has dropped to a mark of 99, 11 months on from his peak rating of 109.

    His last handicap win was longer ago than expected – July 2023 with an official rating of 91, to be specific – but it’s really hard to ignore his other performances without getting his head in front.

    He won a Listed race at Newbury in September 2023, he was beaten a nose in the 2023 Howden Challenge Cup off 100, and he’s placed in two all-weather handicaps off 100 and 103 in recent months.

    One of those all-weather runs occurred at Kempton over a mile when Roi De France, the current favourite for this race, beat him by a short head. There is now a nice 13lb swing in the weights between the two.

    Speaking of weight swings, Popmaster gets a 13lb swing with Storm Star, the race’s second favourite, for just a one-and-a-half-length defeat over this course and distance in January.

    Ed Walker’s seven-year-old stayed on through the line that day, even though he lacked a clear route through with two furlongs to go.

    He looks like a well-treated horse who gets his best chance to beat the likes of Roi De France and Storm Star. Furthermore, Ed Walker and Paul Mulrennan have a 29% strike rate together (from 29 runners).

    He’s worthy of some cash in this valuable contest.

  • Cheltenham April Meeting Day 2 Tips | Action continues

    Cheltenham April Meeting Day 2 Tips | Action continues

    The action-packed week in UK horse racing continues on Thursday with my Cheltenham April Meeting Day 2 tips.

    East India Express landed a nice winner for the column yesterday, and both My Bobby Dazzler and Gallant ran creditable efforts at bigger prices.

    With Prestbury Park and the Rowley Mile on our screens today, let’s roll on.

    Cheltenham April Meeting Day 2 Tips

    2:10 Cheltenham – Coco Mademoiselle @ 5/2 with Betfred – 1pt Win

    I backed Coco Mademoiselle in the qualifying race for this contest back at the Cheltenham December meeting, and I walked away from her performance feeling slightly disappointed.

    She raced behind the bridle over 2m4f, but she stayed on for pressure and was only beaten by seven-and-a-quarter lengths.

    I didn’t think I’d rush to back her again after that race, but she still seems feasibly handicapped off 123, and her run at Sandown over 2m4f in early March showed promise.

    The step up to three miles can promote improvement having nearly won on chase debut over 2m7f, and she should handle the nicer ground.

    4:10 Newmarket – Isle Of Lismore @ 14/1 with Betfred (3 places) – 1pt EW

    Robert Cowell runs two in the 5f handicap at Newmarket today, and while he may have the favourite, his other runner, Isle Of Lismore, looks to have a great chance.

    His last winning mark came off 85 in May 2024, and he also placed off 89 over this course and distance one run later.

    He’s also won with an official rating of 80 and 79 before, both of which were on the Newmarket July Course.

    So, with a rating of 79 now, he looks well-treated based on his best form, and he finished a good third on his seasonal reappearance at Lingfield last year.

    He’s placed three times over this course and distance off higher ratings, and Cowell’s yard is running at a 29% strike rate currently.

    For these reasons, he is a bet at Newmarket.

    4:30 Cheltenham – Shakeyatailfeather @ 7/2 with Betfred – 1pt Win

    There are a few firsts for Shakeyatailfeather today. It’s her first time back at two miles since May 2024, and it’s her first time back with Harry Skelton since the pair won a Newton Abbot maiden hurdle in September.

    She’s a strong-travelling mare who loves good ground, so two miles around the new course of Cheltenham could really play to her strengths, even if she has been racing at three miles over fences.

    Still, she jumps her fences nicely and her form over hurdles suggests she can go well with an official rating of 106.

    She was only just beaten by Wyenot, now rated 138, in a Kempton novice hurdle in March 2024, and she was even fourth at 200/1 in a Taunton maiden hurdle to Joyeuse, Tutti Quanti, and Into The Park.

    Even if she has to show her capability over two miles in this sphere, she has the credentials to do so, so she gets the vote.

  • Newmarket Craven Meeting Day 1 Tips | When the Dusk settles

    Newmarket Craven Meeting Day 1 Tips | When the Dusk settles

    This week is belting for UK horse racing, and we’re kicking off proceedings with my Newmarket Craven Meeting Day 1 tips.

    With Newmarket on Tuesday, Cheltenham and the Rowley Mile on Wednesday, more Prestbury Park action on Thursday, and some brilliant all-weather action to finish the week, the next few days are set to be pretty fun. Hopefully, anyway.

    Let’s dive in.

    Newmarket Craven Meeting Day 1 Tips

    1:50 Newmarket – Aramram @ 6/1 with William Hill (4 places) – 1pt EW

    The opening handicap is competitive, but Aramram does look slightly overpriced on the best of his form.

    He’s a nice, progressive colt by Blue Point who has started the year well with two seconds at Kempton and Southwell respectively.

    His first run at Kempton saw him nearly catch a runaway winner, and the second race at Southwell saw him get collared on the line by the useful Ferrous.

    A well-handicapped Diligent Harry finished third that day with the likes of Purosangue, Strike Red, Wiltshire, and Korker behind. It was a good Class 2 handicap at Southwell.

    Joe Leavy returns to the saddle to claim a valuable 3lbs off his back, and he’s ground versatile. He won at Doncaster on soft in September, though he also finished second in the Ayr Silver Cup on good to firm later that month.

    His run in the Ayr Silver Cup was a huge performance. Why? Well, Alfa Kellenic switched to the correct side of the track to win, though Aramram stayed on the near side.

    This progressive four-year-old gets the vote here.

    3:35 Newmarket – Arabian Dusk @ 10/3 with William Hill – 1pt Win

    All the form and a small bit of pedigree knowledge suggests that Arabian Dusk could be the one in the Group 3 Nell Dwyn Stakes.

    It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realise that Verse Of Love and Nardra could be anything with their one win each, but I like the experience that Simon & Ed Crisford’s three-year-old has under the belt.

    She was third in the Listed Empress Fillies Stakes to Celandine (subsequent Group 2 winner) and Tales Of The Heart before winning the Group 2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes on the July Course.

    On her final start of the season in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes, she finished third to Lake Victoria (Breeders’ Cup winner subsequently) and Daylight (Group 2 runner-up subsequently).

    She looked quite useful in the Cheveley Park as she travelled with plenty of zest, yet she just didn’t quite have the turn of foot to keep her two rivals at bay.

    She’s out of a 1m2f winner who also was successful on good to soft, and two of her best siblings raced nicely on softer ground. If the rain has gotten into the ground, which it should have, this will stand her in good stead.

  • Scottish Grand National Day Tips 2025 | Sailing down the market

    Scottish Grand National Day Tips 2025 | Sailing down the market

    From one National to another as the Scottish Grand National headlines the action on our TV screens this weekend.

    It truly is one of those big weekends if you’re a fan of sport. Ayr and Newbury host good cards, Rory McIlroy is throwing the Masters away at Augusta, and the Premier League has some nice little contests.

    Anyway, let’s roll onto the weekend picks.

    Scottish Grand National Day Selections

    1:43 Ayr – Masaccio @ 10/3 with William Hill – 1pt Win

    Two bets from Ayr today were eye-catchers at Cheltenham, and the first is Masaccio after his run in the Plate Handicap Chase.

    He looked outpaced for a while during the Plate, but he showed a brilliant attitude to continue going under Tom Cannon, and his third-place effort can be upgraded as a result.

    Connections tried three miles with him for the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, but it’s harsh to write him off at this trip based on just one run. Alan King has always mentioned trying three miles with him, in fairness.

    So, if you’re willing to forgive him for his run in the Kauto Star three starts ago, he looks like the classy edge into this race based on his form with The Jukebox Man earlier in the season and Jingko Blue over hurdles (when giving 6lbs away).

    Masaccio, Pic Roc, Eyed, Ideal Des Bordes, and Theformismighty look like the horses who will handle the nicer ground the best, and the McNeill Family & Niall Farrell-owned eight-year-old is my preference.

    2:15 Ayr – Ethical Diamond @ 10/3 with William Hill – 1pt Win

    Ethical Diamond clocked some good numbers when fourth in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, and with just an extra pound to carry, he can win the Scottish Champion Hurdle.

    His run from the second-last to the line was as quick as what the Triumph Hurdle leaders did, and he was carrying 3lbs more than the likes of Poniros, Lulamba, East India Dock, and Lady Vega Allen.

    He’s still unexposed in handicap hurdles as one of his runs occurred in the County Hurdle, and the other was his seasonal reappearance at Leopardstown in December.

    He looks like the type of horse to improve into a Graded hurdler in time, and he’s shown he can run well on nice ground at both the Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot.

    The Scottish Champion Hurdle is a competitive race, but he’s one I’m keen to keep on side.

    2.55 Ayr – Fox’s Fancy @ 13/2 with William Hill (4 places) – 1pt EW

    When looking at the 3m mares’ handicap hurdle, Ruby Island is well-fancied for Nicky Richards, but if she is a 5/1 shot in the market, Fox’s Fancy has to be considered at a bigger price.

    Just a neck separated the pair at Ayr in early March, but the winner was race-fit and the second, Fox’s Fancy, was having her first run since October 2024.

    She gets to try three miles for the second time, the first came at Wetherby in October when she ran a creditable race in fourth. The winner, Billy Boi Blue, won a Class 3 handicap at Ayr yesterday.

    The Lucinda Russell-trained seven-year-old has a touch of back class in the book, as she finished a good fifth in a good ground Kelso bumper two years ago to Kamsinas.

    She also finished second to Galunggung in a Hexham novice hurdler who has improved to a mark of 128 over fences.

    She should appreciate nicer ground, and this three-mile test leaves her unexposed.

    3:12 Newbury – Cogitate @ 10/1 with William Hill (4 places) – 0.5pt EW

    Me and Cogitate have a love-hate relationship, and by that, I mean that I’ve backed him three times without return.

    Still, he lines up in the Spring Cup and there’s reason to suggest he can put in a career-best effort.

    His only win came on debut in July 2023 over seven furlongs at this course where he beat Boiling Point (now rated 107). He also had King’s Gambit (rated 114) behind him as well.

    The next time he raced ‘fresh’, he chased home Night Raider (rated 111) at Southwell over seven furlongs, so he does seem to go well off a bit of a break.

    Even his last run at Kempton showed promise when finishing fourth to the subsequent Listed-placed Roi De France and Popmaster.

    With a few months of rest and some nice form in the book, he has the profile of one who can land the spoils.

    3:35 Ayr – Sail Away @ 16/1 with William Hill (6 places) – 1pt EW

    When I previewed the Scottish Grand National for the Only Fools Love Horses YouTube channel on Tuesday, Sail Away was the wrong price at 50/1, so I’m not totally surprised to see him shorten.

    Did I think he’d touch 12/1 in places? Not really.

    In fairness, he was entered for Ayr on Friday at an ante-post stage, so once he was taken out of that race, he was susceptible to shortening at the big prices.

    He appeals for a number of reasons, one of which being his record at the course on better ground.

    He dotted up at this meeting two years ago in the novices’ champion handicap chase off 136 when making all under Bridget Andrews, and he arrives here off a four-pound lower mark having finished a close second at Warwick at the end of last month.

    That win at Ayr in April 2023 saw him beat Forward Plan (improved 13lbs since), and it’s hard to ignore his fourth of four (beaten 10 lengths) in the 2024 Grade 1 Ascot Chase over 2m5f to Pic d’Orhy, Ahoy Senor, and L’Homme Presse.

    There are other bits of form, like his run at Newbury in November 2024 behind Masaccio before falling, that give him a good chance here.

    He likes good ground, he gallops, he jumps, and he’s one from one at the course. He can play his part for Dan and Harry Skelton.

  • Grand National 2025: First Four Home

    Grand National 2025: First Four Home

    The biggest race of the year. The Grand National. Everyone has their own little traditions, their own ways to pick a winner and their own ways to watch the race around the world. This year, on this column, I aim to pick the National winner, just like last year and the year previous. Could we make it a hat-trick in the biggest race of the year?

    Main Pick: Vanillier @ 14/1 (General)

    The 2023 Grand National second is making the top of the list for me in this year’s race. Last year he was underwhelming finishing well behind in mid-division and his weight was not exactly perfect. Today, however, he returns to that same runner-up mark as 2023, 147. He also has form entering this contest. He won the P.P Hogan Memorial Cross-Country Chase at Punchestown before placing a good third behind stablemate Stumptown in the Cross-Country Chase at Cheltenham last month.

    He loves these types of races and with a low weight can go one better than his 2023 effort. Also he represents a trainer that, arguably, holds the strongest hand in this year’s race, Gavin Cromwell. He runs Perceval Legallois and Stumptown, but Vanillier’s experience over these National fences should not put him down the pecking order.

    Runner-Up: Three Card Brag @ 22/1 (William Hill, Betfred)

    Three Card Brag may seem an unusual type on form, but he looks an out-and-out Grand National horse. His wins have mainly come on soft or soft-heavy ground and may look unsuited on the ground for this race. But he fits the trends for winners of this race. He finished in the top three of a Grade Two Chase at Navan back in February, he’s rated between 143 and 150 (146) and carries less than 10-13 in the race (10-5).

    He’s trained by a man who knows how to win this race, Gordon Elliott, even though he may have been out of form lately. He may be a mud slugger but the longer he stays the more chance he has of being up there at the finish. Also his trainer has no less than five entries and racks up a few marathon handicap chases in Ireland throughout the season.

    Third-place: Nick Rockett @ 25/1 (Betfred)

    Nick Rockett is third on the list of 34, which doesn’t make for great reading at first. But consider what he has won and the manner of which he has. He won the famous Irish Trial for this race, the Grade Three Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, beating Intense Raffles by 0.75L that day. Prior to that race he won the ultra-competitive Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park for Willie Mullins back in mid-January.

    He’s chasing a hat-trick and this race, will have been the plan from the moment he recorded a top-seven finish in the Irish Grand National last year and finishing fourth in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown after that. He’s another marathon runner who will appreciate the better ground and is not to be discounted with a certain Mr P W Mullins taking the ride.

    An Outsider: Monbeg Genius @ 50/1 (General)

    Do not write any outsiders off in the Grand National at all. Whilst it may a more concentrated field, 34 runners is still hard a minefield to predict a winner. Monbeg Genius was a very useful winner of a three-mile chase at Uttoxeter back in February and avoided all the hustle and bustle of minor National events and Cheltenham.

    Earlier this season he finished second in a marathon chase on Betfair Chase day at Haydock, whilst finishing fourth in the chaotic Welsh Grand National as he fought his way through the mud and the fog just to finish. Looking back he finished third at the Cheltenham Festival and third in a Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. There’s no doubting he’s a stayer and maybe an extended three-mile chase, maybe even a four mile trip, will suit him perfectly. He will also have been hoping for better ground and will be looking for another top four finish in a big marathon contest.

    The very best of luck to whoever you are back in the Grand National 2025.

  • Aintree Grand National Festival 2025 | Day Three Selections

    Aintree Grand National Festival 2025 | Day Three Selections

    Aintree. Not just a celebration of the biggest steeplechase in the world but also a redemption arc for those who were thwarted at Cheltenham. This article focusses on the other six races on Grand National Day, click the link for big race tips here.

    Big Race View

    The Liverpool Hurdle may take centre stage, but in another Grade One on the day, I’m focussing on the Maghull Novices’ Chase with one of the best performances in the Arkle. Only By Night just came out on top in an incredible four-way battle for the line, and was only denied in the final 100 yards by Jango Baie. But that performance has stuck with me and surely she can go close once more, beating L’eau du Sud. Gavin Cromwell is also in electric form of late and will surely walk away with at least one big prize from today’s racing.

    Big Race Bet: Maghull Novice’s Chase (Grade One) – Only By Night @ 5/2 (William Hill)

    Excellent at Each-way

    The Mersey Novice’s Hurdle looks a wide-open contest this year. People will side with Lulamba, but putting a juvenile in this race and stepping him up in trip just three weeks after his targeted run at the Triumph Hurdle seems like too much of a daunting task. Further down the market Koktail Divin seems overpriced for me. He has great form from novice hurdle runs behind Kawaboomga and William Munny and broke his maiden impressively by 10L at Leopardstown and avoided Cheltenham. The trip will suit him no end, as will the ground and should run a big race.

    Excellent Each-way bet: Sefton Novice’s Hurdle (Grade One) – Koktail Divin e/w @ 9/1 (William Hill)

    Handy Handicap Guide

    Obviously the biggest handicap of the day is the Grand National, and you can click for tips here, but in this article I’d like to focus on the first race of the day, the William Hill Handicap Hurdle. Plenty of Coral Cup runners feature once again in another competitive renewal. The immediately is drawn to Coral Cup third Catch Him Derry. Despite such a good finish, he’s very low in the weights and ticks all the main boxes for winners of this race. Dan Skelton loves to train horses like these and seeks a third win in as many years in this race.

    Irish raider Park Of Kings has had his form boosted to no end thanks to runner-up finishes from Wodhooh in a Grade One and Kopek De Mee in a handicap hurdle yesterday. He finished fifth in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham but recorded two runner-up finishes at Leopardstown prior. Holds every chance to go near again.

    Surprisingly, the ever consistent Double Powerful carries a low weight in this race. He’s on a roll at the moment recording a top three finish in every start since January 2024. He ran a good race behind Aston Martini at Cheltenham and was just beaten by a head at Ascot prior. Will appreciate the step up to three miles and the better ground.

    Handy Handicap Bets: William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier H’cap) – Catch Him Derry @ 6/1 (General), Park of Kings e/w @ 12/1 (General), Double Powerful e/w @ 16/1 (William Hill)

    Selections:

    13:20 – William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier H’cap) – Catch Him Derry @ 6/1 (General), Park of Kings e/w @ 12/1 (General), Double Powerful e/w @ 16/1 (William Hill)

    13:55 – Mersey Novice’s Hurdle (Grade One) – KOKTAIL DIVIN E/W @ 9/1 (William Hill), Kappa Jy Pyke e/w @ 16/1 (General)

    14:30 – William Hill Freebooter Handicap Chase (Premier H’cap) – Weveallbeencaught e/w @ 11/1 (William Hill), Richmond Lake e/w @ 12/1 (William Hill)

    15:05 – Liverpool Hurdle (Grade One) – Teahupoo @ 11/4 (General), The Wallpark e/w @ 11/1 (William Hill)

    16:00 – GRAND NATIONAL: CLICK HERE FOR TIPS

    17:00 – Maghull Novice’s Chase (Grade One) – Only By Night @ 5/2 (William Hill)

    17:35 – Weatherbys National Hunt Flat Race (Grade Two) – Destination Dubai e/w @ 16/1 (William Hill), Edward Sexton e/w @ 40/1 (William Hill)

    Best of Luck!

  • Aintree Grand National 2025 Day 3 Tips | The big one

    Aintree Grand National 2025 Day 3 Tips | The big one

    It’s the big one, the Aintree Grand National 2025 Day 3 Tips article with three horses to follow for the Grand National itself.

    The Grand National holds so much history for many reasons, and although the race may have changed in its nature, it’s still a special spectacle to watch.

    Like Cheltenham, there will probably be a few punters wishing they’d kept their hands in their pockets this week, but we keep kicking. Celtic Dino placed for the column in the finale on Friday, Handstands was given no chance in the opener, and the two big-priced fancies in the 2m4f handicap hurdle ran creditable races.

    Still, we move.

    Aintree Grand National 2025 Day 3 Tips

    1:20 Aintree – William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle – Bill Joyce @ 9/1 with William Hill (5 places) (1pt EW) & Whatcouldhavebeen @ 50/1 with William Hill (5 places) (0.5pt EW)

    I’ve wanted to see Bill Joyce over three miles for a long time, so stepping up in distance here on his handicap debut is very interesting.

    He impressed me greatly when winning the Grade 2 Winter Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown in December, and this is when I first thought he could be an Albert Bartlett type.

    He further fueled these suspicions when finishing third in the Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle behind The New Lion at Christmas.

    The improving six-year-old sat prominently, jumped well at speed, and handled the good to soft conditions well, and he stayed on through the line even when the subsequent Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Hurdle winner passed him.

    Wenigo, the second, ran a fine race in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle to further frank the form, and Regent’s Stoll finishing fourth sets a fine standard.

    The ground is a small question mark, but his way of going about things suggests he can handle a fast-paced race, and the conditions at Newbury for the Challow were pretty decent, so I have hope he will be okay.

    While he didn’t turn into an Albert Bartlett horse, he gets to run here in handicap company off 136, and the O’Neill’s did something similar with Johnnywho in last year’s renewal of this contest.

    However, he’s not my only play as I’m taking a chance that Whatcouldhavebeen could be well-handicapped on this big stage.

    She’s rated 137 and Aidan Kelly takes off 3lbs, and considering she ran in the Grade 1 Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown last season, that’s not a bad mark.

    That race included Teahupoo, Home By The Lee, Buddy One, Franciscan Rock, and Asterion Forlonge, which is a good piece of form.

    She also won a 2m6f handicap hurdle in April 2024 when beating O’Moore Park, now rated 140 over fences, when the cheekpieces were applied for the very first time off a mark of 128.

    She has questions to ask on the ground, but she has the ability to win this.

    3:05 Aintree – Grade 1 Ivy Liverpool Hurdle – Home By The Lee @ 13/2 with William Hill (1pt Win) & Buddy One @ 20/1 with Betfred (4 places) (1pt EW)

    The Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle is open to having a play in it, and I’m doing so with two darts on Home By The Lee and Buddy One.

    Starting with the former, his formlines alongside Bob Olinger now look quite smart after the Grade 1 Stayers’ Hurdle.

    He beat him at Navan on his first start of the season in the Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle before beating him by further in the Grade 1 Savills Hurdle.

    He was hampered and taken out of the race in the Stayers’ on his first start for 75 days, so not only is he fresher than a few other Stayers’ Hurdle horses, but he should also come on for the spin at Cheltenham.

    He has won on good ground before and his wins this season have come on yielding.

    As for Buddy One, this is slightly sentimental, but there is a case to be made at a big price.

    He won his chasing debut at Galway on good ground and also placed in a Grade 3 novice hurdle on the same ground, so tomorrow’s surface should cause no issues.

    He ran a big race in the Stayers’ Hurdle last month considering he was slightly hampered by Crambo’s fall, and he found himself in a tight pocket coming down the hill.

    I think he could have won last year’s Liverpool Hurdle if Jack Gilligan hadn’t kicked for home so early. While he has to reverse that form with Strong Leader, it’s not an impossible task.

    These two look like solid plays.

    4:00 Aintree – Randox Grand National Handicap Chase – Iroko @ 8/1 with Betfred, Hyland @ 18/1 with Betfred & Grangeclare West @ 28/1 with Betfred (7 places) – 0.5pt EW for all three

    It’s the Grand National. 34 runners over 4m2f, so naturally, it’s hard to be overly confident on one.

    The three I want to play start with Iroko who has been targeted at this race all season, and his performances have suggested this.

    He began this season on a mark of 152, and that’s the rating he gets to run off at Aintree which is a positive.

    His form with Grey Dawning got a boost in the Aintree Bowl and the form of last year’s Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase looks really good. The ground should be safe enough for him, so he is on the squad.

    Hyland is one who will prefer these better conditions, and you can’t argue with his form alongside The Jukebox Man.

    Even his victory over Transmission at Cheltenham in October looks good, and Hyland is a very slick jumper. He’ll sit prominently and ping them for fun.

    Finally, Grangeclare West has that very interesting form line with Galopin Des Champs, Fact To File, and Inothewayurthinkin from the Irish Gold Cup.

    He’s won on yielding ground at Punchestown in April 2023, and his successes over Heart Wood and Corbetts Cross in the early parts of his career are notable. He’s a big price, and Brian Hayes gets on well with him.

    5:00 Aintree – Grade 1 Rosconn Group Maghull Novices’ Chase – Special Cadeau @ 20/1 with Betfred – 1pt EW

    The Grade 1 Maghull Novices’ Chase brings the Arkle form under the spotlight, but I’m going away from it with Special Cadeau who is wildly interesting.

    Hear me out. He didn’t win over hurdles or in bumpers for Willie Mullins or Henry de Bromhead, but he still showed some good form.

    He finished a decent eighth at the 2023 Punchestown Festival to Ballyburn, Dancing City, Slade Steel, Chosen Witness, and Apple’s Of Bresil. He also finished third in a Leopardstown bumper to Fascile Mode and, more notably, Lecky Watson.

    His best hurdles form is his second at Naas in April 2024 to Gorgeous Tom who went on to finish an eye-catching fourth in the Grade 1 Drinmore Novices’ Chase behind Croke Park, Firefox, and Heart Wood, the more notably name of the three.

    Although he was sent off at odds of 66/1 at Thurles in February on his chasing debut, he won like a horse priced at much shorter odds. He switched off nicely in the middle of the field, made an eye-catching move around the bend, and kicked clear after a mistake at the last.

    That came on good ground against some nice types like Westport Cove (Only By Night form), What’s Up Darling, and Mirazur West (Only By Night and Fun Fun Fun form).

    I find it interesting that Envirogreen Housing Services Ltd, the owners of Gorgeous Tom, took the horse when Henry de Bromhead bought him for £25,000 at the sales. Did his run behind Gorgeous Tom at Naas give them a nudge to front up the money?

    Anyway, after a lengthy case made, it will be difficult for him to win a Grade 1 on his second chase start, but he could just be the one to side with at a price in the conditions.