Only four winners yielded from the last two days of the Festival, but with one more day to go I feel as though we can find a winner or two with plenty of value to end on a high. Plus, the nation stops at 4:00 for the big one. The Grand National, for which I’ve written dedicated tips just for the race, check it out by clicking here. This article is for the rest of the action.
NAP: Maghull Novices’ Chase (GRADE ONE) – Found A Fifty @ 15/8 (General)
Found A Fifty has found it tough since Christmas. A narrow defeat to Il Etait Temps, who won on Thursday, and well beaten by Gaelic Warrior in the Arkle. His second was dominant, beating Il Etait Temps by four and three quarters of a length. Without Gaelic Warrior, he’s the one to beat and Aintree may be a course that suits him slightly better.
Djelo made it a British 1-2-3 in the Turners’ at Cheltenham, getting the better of Zanhiyr up the run-in. He was eight lengths down to the winning pair, which makes the drop back to two miles make sense. Venetia Williams isn’t in the best of form, but Djelo is never far from hitting the frame. Each-way claims at 14/1 (William Hill).
E/W Bet: Liverpool Hurdle (GRADE ONE) – Strong Leader @ 7/1 (General)
It was worth a second look, but I forgot that Strong Leader ran a good race in the Cleeve Hurdle. The form isn’t strong, but Strong Leader looked as though he had a future ahead of him. He finished second in the Top Novices’ Hurdle last year splitting Inthepocket and Lucccia and clearly has a liking for Aintree. He won as a novice last season here, then finished second in a Grade One. Horses for courses as they say.
Handicap Best: William Hill Handicap Chase (Premier) – The King Of Ryhope @ 4/1 (William Hill, BetVictor, Boylesports)
The King Of Ryhope has been in my tracker all season and something says he’s been building up to a handicap like this. He missed Cheltenham and on the evidence of his Ascot run, he’ll get the trip. Had he not hit the last, he could have finished a lot closer than three lengths. He looks well-handicapped as a Dan Skelton horse should when in races like these. If he stays the trip, he could feature in a future National?
Falco Blitz also took the eye for the Irish. His last two runs have been won by a combined 13 and a half lengths, in handicaps. He’s been raised 11lbs for this major test, but he’s no stranger to the big stage after being with Nicky Henderson until 2022. He’s well worth a watch, and the ground won’t be a problem. 18/1 (BetVictor, Betfred, Boylesports).
Selections:
13:20 – William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier) – Johnnywho @ 8/1 (General), Lord Snootie e/w @ 16/1 (BetVictor, Boylesports), Johnson’s Blue e/w @ 28/1 (BetVictor, Betfred)
13:55 – Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (GRADE ONE) – Brighterdaysahead @ 5/4 (Boylesports)
14:30 – William Hill Handicap Chase (Premier) – THE KING OF RYHOPE (HB) @ 4/1 (William Hill, BetVictor, Boylesports), Falco Blitz e/w @ 18/1 (BetVictor, Betfred, Boylesports)
15:05 – Liverpool Hurdle (GRADE ONE) – Flooring Porter @ 7/2 (General), STRONG LEADER E/W @ 7/1 (General)
16:00 – THE GRAND NATIONAL
17:00 – Maghull Novices’ Chase (GRADE ONE) – FOUND A FIFTY (NAP) @ 15/8 (General), Djelo e/w @ 14/1 (William Hill)
17:35 – Weatherbys Standard NHF (Grade Two) – Ma Shantou @ 15/2 (William Hill), Good And Clever e/w @ 11/1 (William Hill, BetUK), Horaces Pearl e/w @ 16/1 (General)
The very best of luck!
