Aintree Grand National Meeting Day 1

The Aintree Grand National meeting starts today, this is my favourite meeting of year from an attendance point of view. There’s so much going off between races, a party atmosphere with great racing on top.

Not an easy day for punting, La Bague Au Roi should go close in the opening race but is a short enough odds. Glen Forsa was priced at just 9-2 for the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham, he departed at the 4^th though before the race got going. The time before that, Glen Forsa destroyed Kalashnikov. Priced at 4-1, Glen Forsa might be a little bit of value.

Pentland Hills did us a huge favour on here when winning the Triumph Hurdle at 20-1. I can’t back against him after lining the pocket so well a few weeks back.

The Betway Bowl Chase at 2:50 is a cracking race despite the small field. Clan Des Obeaux will be far better suited by Aintree but had a really hard race on heavy ground in the Gold Cup. The same can be said for Bristol De Mai. I’m taking on both for that reason.

Kemboy and Road To Respect are my picks, Kemboy fell at the first in the Gold Cup, that’s not ideal but he’ll be fresher than most. Road To Respect can’t be ruled out either. I’ve backed Kemboy with a saver on Road To Respect at bigger odds.

If Buveur D’Air jumps cleanly and runs to form, he’ll take the world of beating in the Aintree Hurdle. He’s a class above these.

Theinval has been setup for the Red Rum Chase once again, second in the last two running’s, his season revolves around this today. 11-1 EW is worth a few pounds.

Minella Melody comes into the mares' bumper with a big reputation. She’s supposed to be very good and achieved a huge RPR rating when winning at Gowan. Odds of 2-1 are skinny in a race of this nature but the money keeps coming.