Saturday 8th April 2017

Yesterday was very much a bookies day at Aintree, plenty of big priced winners that were almost impossible to make a case for. We did have a nice winner on here though, Rather Be won the opening race at odds of 12-1. Unlucky at Cheltenham when hampered and fell, Rather Be opening mark looked lenient and so it proved.

Saturday and Grand National day, I’ll cover the big race shortly.

No Hassle Hoff could be very well handicapped in the 1:45, he creeps into the race at the bottom of the weights and looks sure to go well providing the busy season hasn’t caught up with him. Duke Street could improve plenty for the step up in trip, a strong stayer on the level and takes his chance off a nice weight. They would be my two against the field.

In the 3:40 I’ve backed Starchitect EW at 7-1. The David Pipe trained horse was 5^th at Cheltenham but ran much better than the finishing position suggests. Starchitect got behind early in the race but was making ground up when hampered by a faller at a vital stage. This is his first try over 3 miles, based on the Cheltenham evidence he looks to have every chance of getting the trip.

The Liverpool Hurdle at 4:20 sees Yanworth run over the distance he should have at the Festival. For whatever reason, I can’t warm to the horse. He jumps poor and now the headgear goes on. I’ve backed Cole Harden EW at 6-1. Fourth in the World Hurdle despite been asked to go very hard from the front. With a slightly more conservative ride on this sharper track, Cole Harden will be hard to keep out of the places and hopefully better. He looks a rock solid EW bet.

The Grand National.

This year’s National will be run on quick ground, it won’t be the big stamina test it normally is and could be won by classy 3 miler. This brings the likes of More Of That and Pleasant Company right into contention.

The last five winners of the National have been 33-1, 66-1,25-1, 25-1, 33-1. It’s a once a year race that most people have a flutter on. I’m not going to bet a horse under 16-1 in a 4m2 furlong race. Plenty of bookies are paying 6 places so ensure you use those if possible.

I’ve already highlighted One For Arthur over the past two months and hold a big antepost voucher. The ground could have gone against him though. One For Arthur will need to be ridden more handy than usual as the leaders won’t stop this afternoon. However, If One For Arthur gets into a rhythm and keeps within 10 / 15 lengths of the leaders he’s the one to beat.

I’ve backed the following EW.

One For Arthur “antepost”

Vicente 25-1

Measureofmydreams 66-1

Saint Are 50-1

Blaklion 16-1

Houblon Des Obeaux 50-1

Vicente needs the Spring ground, this will be the first time he's had it for a while. Measureofmydreams was eye catching at Cheltenham when staying strongly but got stopped in his run. He looks to be coming back to form and has staying chase back class.

Saint Are 2^nd to Many Clouds a few years ago was a great effort. Saint Are hasn’t had his ground since the 2015 National. Trainer Tom George remains in good form and Saint Are races from the front.

Blaklion looks like a proper National type and holds that bit of class, trainer Nigel Twiston Davies is sweet on his chances.

Houblon Des Obeaux will keep on galloping when others have cried enough, he’s a sound jumper and will keep rolling away in his own time. Could run into a place at big odds.

The very best of luck !!!