Saturday is the highlight of the Randox Health Grand National Festival, with the feature race of the meeting, the G3 extended four and a quarter-mile Randox Health Grand National taking centre-stage.
We achieved a lovely win double yesterday and let's hope for some more winners today.
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Here are the selections...
1.45pm - No Comment 10/1 Each Way and For Good Measure 14/1 Each Way.
SkyBet 1/5 for 6 places.
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No Comment ran with credit in the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival and whilst he did fade on that occasion, he had to turn wide into the straight. The step up to three miles is a bold move but Hobbs must believe his charge should get the trip. He is a decent sort and he looks capable of running a big race.
For Good Measure on the face of things ran no sort of race in the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival but he might be seen to better effect in this event.
2.25pm - Finian's Oscar 10/3 and Le Breuil 7/1 Each-Way.
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Colin Tizzard had a superb day at Aintree on Friday and Finian's Oscar looks well placed to run well after missing the Cheltenham Festival through a minor setback. This does look his trip and he looks tough to beat here.
Le Breuil was an exciting winner at Newbury on his last start, slamming his rivals by nine lengths. This a big step up in class but he is a horse on the improve with a decent trainer. He looks capable of going well here.
3.00pm - Charbel 8/11.
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Kim Bailey's six-year-old son of Iffraaj was running a mighty race in the Arkle when falling at the second last and his jockey was adamant he would have gone very close to beating Altior at Cheltenham. He looks the class act in this field and looks tough to beat in what is a small field for this G1 event.
3.40pm Value At Risk 9/1 Each Way and I Just Know 12/1 Each Way.
Dan Skelton's Value At Risk was a very smart bumper horse in Ireland but has taken time to find his feet for his new trainer. A facile winner of a novices' chase at Bangor last time, he might appreciate the return to handicap company here as he does have a real touch of class. A rating of 138, 8lb lower than his hurdles mark looks something that could be utilised and he will appreciate the three mile trip here. I Just Know is a front-runner who has been impressive in his last two starts. He jumps, travels and keeps on finding and has struck up a good relationship with jockey Danny Cook, This is a step up in class but he stays this trip well and if he can get into a good jumping rhythm, he could make this a real test for his rivals.
4.20pm - Yanworth 9/4 and Ballyoptic 9/1 Each Way.
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Bitterly disappointing when only seventh in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival but that trip looked to short for him and it was proved to be right at Prestbury Park. He was initially going to be campaigned as a three miler at the start of the season so he should find this trip within his remit. He is the class act in the field and his staying credentials should come to the fore here. This is a big opportunity for him to win a Grade One event at a major meeting.
Ballyoptic was pulled up in the Stayers' Hurdle last time, but the combination of quick ground and a track which he has won at in the past, may bring about some improvement.
5.15pm GRAND NATIONAL- More of That 18/1 Each Way, Vicente 25/1 Each Way and Highland Lodge 28/1 Each Way
(Already advised Definitly Red , Ucello Conti and Saint Are in our Ante-Post preview)
More Of That is a high-class individual. Winner of the G1 Stayers' Hurdle at the 2014 Cheltenham Festival, he has proved inconsistent over hurdles but after seemingly running a big race before falling in the Irish Gold Cup, he stayed on well in the closing stages to finish sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He has to prove he can act around these fences but he is the class horse of the race in my opinion. At Aintree, you need to have both pace and stamina, he looks to have both in abundance and if he jumps better than he has done in recent times, he has to run a big race here.
Highland Lodge loves the Becher Chase and whilst he has to prove he can get the trip, course form is always a major plus. This race has been the plan for a long time and I just think if he gets into a rhythm out in front, he might just stay there.
Vicente was an authoritative winner of the Scottish Grand National but has struggled on soft ground since. Speaking to owner Trevor Hemmings today, he sounded hopeful of a big run and he does look interesting.
6.15pm - So Celebre 7/1 Each Way and John Constable 10/1 Each Way.
So Celebre could get his third consecutive win here. Impressive at Ascot last week, he has a 5lb penalty but as a four-year-old still gets weight from his rivals. A classy sort at his best, Evan Williams' John Constable has not been at his best this season but he might appreciate the better ground here.
9/2 Win Double
3:00 Aintree - Charbel
4:20 Aintree - Yanworth
Words By: Danny Archer