Aintree Grand National: My Picks

A relative outside shot in terms of the market, but makes my first pick.

The 11 year old is just within the 9-11 year old ideal age for a national winner.

Started the season with a listed victory at Uttoxeter over three miles two furlongs on good ground, a course which is a decent stamina test.

Then picked up a 2nd win in a row, winning at Aintree in a class 2 veterans’ chase.

In behind was Vieux Lion Rouge, who went on to win the Becher Chase at Aintree next time out in impressive fashion.

Also back in 7th was eventual Cheltenham Festival winner Vintage Clouds.

This was run on stamina sapping soft ground but he showed a smart turn of foot and clean jumping.

The reason for the big price are the next three results.

bumped against the rail and unseated the rider next time out at Aintree, when travelling and jumping well in the first half of the race.

Then unseated the rider again at Sandown in January only two jumps in, when a rival horse fell in front of him.

Was last seen finishing 7th of 11 runners in a class two handicap at Kempton in January.

He carried top weight and the race was more of a pure speed test throughout.

considering the weight he carried and the nature of the race not suiting him, he did well.

He has had three months to recover and is carrying a kinder weight of 10st 5lb here.

Aintree will provide the stamina test he needs. There is huge value here and has definitely gone under the radar.

a tough Irish staying chaser who has been competing in class one contests consistently since February 2018.

Did run at the Cheltenham Festival last month but was pulled up in the Ryanair Chase where Allaho dominated.

This run shouldn’t have taken too much out of him as he pulled up relatively early.

He will carry 11st 7lb in the big race.

The weight shouldn’t be an issue as he has carried this weight and higher to victory in competitive, high class handicaps before.

Some of the scalps claimed in these handicaps include listed winner over fences Champagne Classic, Discorama who has placed at multiple Cheltenham Festivals and grade three Cheltenham Festival winner The Conditional.

All while carrying the same weight or more.

With the Irish runners in form and the quality this horse has shown in the past, he could easily be in the picture.

GRAND NATIONAL INFORMATION

The Grand National is a national hunt chase horse race that is 4 miles 2 furlongs in distance and the runners will encounter 30 obstacles along the way.

The Aintree fences are made with a wooden frame inside which is then covered with spruce branches.

The race is considered the ultimate test for horse and jockey and a winner needs excellent stamina and great jumping ability.

No woman has ever won the national and the best finish for a female jockey in the race was in 2012 when Kate Walsh rode Seabass to 3rd place.

This year Bryony Frost (Yala Enki), Rachael Blackmore (Minella Times) and Tabitha Worsley (Sub Lieutenant) will all be aiming to go better.

The average age of a national winner tends to be between 9 and 11 years old, while the last five winners were aged 8 or 9.

The last 12 year old to win was Amberleigh House in 2004.

Of the 14 races ran so far after two days at Aintree, Irish trained horses have won six races but British trained horses have won 8.

The Irish have managed this with far fewer runners.

The Irish National this year saw a 150/1 winner, Freewheelin Dylan on Monday.

There have only ever been five winners of the Grand National that were 100/1 or higher.

Trevor Hemmings and Gigginstown House Stud are each aiming for their 4th success in the race. A win for either would make them the most successful owner in the race’s history with four successes.

Linked below are the rest of my tips for Grand National day

Grand National Festival Aintree: Day 3 tips – Hawkinsport