Grand National Festival Aintree: Day 3 tips

13:45 “ETF SYSTEMS HANDICAP HURDLE” – TEA CLIPPER

A young promising hurdler who is stepping up in trip to three miles for the first time.

Last seen finishing 3rd in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham last month.

Finished 11 lengths behind impressive winner Heaven Help Us, with Janika gaining late and finishing 5th by a neck.

Burbank was a few lengths back in 10th on this occasion.

the weight difference between this horse and Janika remains the same at 3lb in this horse’s favour, but he will carry 4lb more than Burbank than last time.

This is a penalty this horse should survive as Burbank faded in the finish at Cheltenham.

Tea Clipper also avoided a falling horse late on and still finished well, with Janika having a clean run on the outside.

The thinking behind the step up in trip is surely because of this horse’s travelling ability and the flat, fair course will suit.

Market rival Come On Teddy isn’t without a chance on form, but may be a horse that gains an advantage on undulating courses and he won’t get that here.

This horse has strong claims.

14:25 “MERSEY NOVICES’ HURDLE” – DREAL DEAL

Has notched up an impressive six in a row this season, with the last at Punchestown in January the most impressive.

He beat Ganapathi by 3 lengths after a massive leap at the last put him on terms, coming from a long way back to win.

Echoes In Rain was also back in 4th and she is on two wins from two starts since.

The manor of the victory did suggest he needed more distance because of how late he got going.

It was also a great display of stamina as the ground was heavy and he isn’t a horse that is dependant on heavy going.

The trip here is half a mile further and didn’t run at the Cheltenham Festival so should be fresh to go.

15:35 “THE LIVERPOOL HURDLE” – THYME HILL

In the absence of Stayers’ Hurdle winner Flooring Porter, the rivalry between Thyme Hill and Paisley Park will see a third and deciding clash this season.

In their previous results they have shown to be at the top of the staying division in the UK.

They finished ahead of the likes of multi grade two winning Mcfabulous, former Cheltenham Festival winner Summerville Boy and 2019 Mares’ Hurdle winner Roksana.

Paisley Park finished 3rd in the Stayers’ at Cheltenham, but the Paisley Park of 2019 would have finished the race off so he could be worse for ware.

Paisley did well to come back from a heart condition and snatched the Long Walk Hurdle from Thyme Hill by fine margins in December.

Thyme Hill should be fresher here after over three months lay off and could clinch the Liverpool Hurdle.

EACH WAY MENTION – DIOL KER

Representing the Irish here is Diol Ker, never outside the top three in five starts over hurdles and even beat the mighty Monkfish in November 2019. Has started in fields with ten or more runners eight times. Of those eight races has placed or won in six of them. Returned to hurdling from chasing in December, picking up a win and finishing 2nd in a grade two by ^1/2 length to Sams Profile.