Aintree Grand National Meeting Day 2

The heavy rain spoiled the afternoon for many on the first day of the Grand National meeting. It was a real shame the weather was so awful. I’m told plenty of people we’re leaving early as the bars couldn’t hold anymore and there was nowhere to keep dry. Going conditions have significantly changed, stamina is now key. The weather has also messed up our plans for having a runner on Saturday. We haven’t declared due to the soft ground.

Pentland Hills 11-4 & Kemboy 9-4 gave us a couple of winners yesterday. Proven soft ground form is perhaps the way to go on Friday.

Aramon is the form horse in the Betway Novice at 2:20. However, he faded in the Supreme at Cheltenham on soft ground and didn’t look to enjoy conditions. Aramon looks worth taking on with ground conditions as they are. Precious Cargo has soft ground form and didn’t run at Cheltenham, he might be a little bit fresher than a few of these. He’d be my choice priced at 4-1.

Topofthegame & Lostintranslation should have the race between them in the Mildmay Chase. At the prices I’ll side with Lostintranslation at 7-2. I like this horse, he's been crying out for this step up in trip and looks to have a great chance. Odds of 7-2 look very fair, he could even be backed EW, two places only. He’ll be tough to pass and might bid to make all.

I’m a big fan of Min who runs in the Grade 1 Melling Chase at 3:25. He disappointed at Cheltenham but I was very confused by the ride he was given. Min wasn’t put in the race at any stage which is a bizarre thing to say at the Festival.

Waiting Patiently is the best horse in the North, he hasn’t had things go his way this season but today could be a different story. Waiting Patiently has soft ground for the first time since so impressive at Ascot. Cheek pieces go on for the first time too. Politologue can’t be ruled out but I’ve never warmed to him.

Min at 100-30 and Waiting Patiently 7-4 are my choices, I'm struggling to split them but hoping we see the real Min.

The Topham always makes great viewing, 30 runners over the National fences at speed. I’ve had a few pounds EW on, Call It Magic 5-1 & Activial 16-1. Plenty of bookies are paying six places so do shop around.