The Final Day of the Aintree Grand National culminates with the big race at 4pm, we have a fantastic supporting card where I have attempted to find a value tip or two for you to back. Best of luck with your selections.
3m½f (3m149y) William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)
Trainers are creatures of habit they say and title-chasing Dan Skelton returns with West Balboa who seems to love Aintree. A winner of this race 12 months ago by five lengths, she is back down to a mark of 141. She won a three runner race here in November off a pound higher and arguably looks well treated. She was the market leader for the Long Walk at Ascot where she ran too free and ultimately disappointed. I feel like a return to this race has probably been the plan for a little while and expect her to put up a big run here.
Win West Balboa
2m4f Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)
This race is hugely exciting with the Cheltenham Festival Mares Novice favourite Brighterdaysahead out for revenge for not landing the spoils in March. She has to take on her former stable mate Caldwell Potter who was sold for huge money at the recent dispursale sale. I think its the now Paul Nicholls trained gelding who will come out in front here, ahead of being one of the leading novice chasers next season. He has to give seven pounds to the favourite but is nice and fresh having missed the Festival. He can land the Mersey and will end up very short for all the nice novice chase racing next season in Ante Post lists come 2pm.
Win Caldwell Potter
3m1f (3m210y) (Mildmay) William Hill Handicap Chase (Registered As The Freebooter Handicap Chase) (Premier Handicap)
Outside of the Grand National, I think this is one of the hardest races of the week to solve. Crebily can win at 7/2 without my money given, he can make the odd error and this is such a deep race. Twig could potentially net Ben Pauling another winner this week at Aintree but it’s actually the outsider of the field I am going to chance each-way in Now When Or Where. Once thought of as a potential type for a Grand National, this horse hasn’t quite lived up to connections hopes. That said this nine-year-old has a few scraps of form to suggest a race of this nature could be within his ability. The run at Leopardstown when sixth and the third to Kemboy at Fairyhouse last season both looked nice runs. At 25/1 he is going in my book as a small each-way play for this puzzling handicap.
Each Way Now When Or Where
3m½f (3m149y) JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)
Forgive and forget, that is what I am going to do in this race regarding Crambo. Regular readers will recall i was very keen on this horse for the Stayers Hurdle. He ran a dreadful race at the Festival and nothing seemed to come to light. Whilst it was a very poor effort, prior to that he had looked great when winning the Long Walk. A winner at Aintree before and arguably unlucky at this meeting 12 months ago when hampered in running. I think in a race full of characters, I am willing to give Crambo another chance to bounce back.
Crambo Win
4m2½f (4m2f74y) (Grand National) Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (7yo+)
My four contenders blog can be found here if you want a longer reasoning behind those who I expect a big run from. My best bet in the race comes in the form of Limerick Lace who has been well-backed in recent days and is possible to go off favourite for owner JP McManus. A few eyebrows were raised when he mentioned on ITV Racing that he had backed his Festival winner to step up in trip and win the Grand National but plenty have followed suit. She has a great chance in my book and the recent rain will be no issue to her.
Limerick Lace Win
2m (1m7f176y) (Mildmay) My Pension Expert Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)
My Nap of the Day runs here in Found A Fifty after seeing his form boosted by Il Etait Temps who took the opener on Thursday. Gordon Elliott has already got a winner on the board at Aintree and to my eye this chap looks to have found the perfect race to go one better in than his two most recent starts. The going seems to be not a major issue for him and if it dries out I don’t foresee that being a problem. He for me represents a good price at around 2/1 to get the job done for our Nap of the Day.
Win and Nap Of The Day Found A Fifty
2m1f (2m209y) Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4-6yo)
Here’s hoping we’ve had a result or two before we come to the closing bumper and Mister Meggit makes the market here but at 9/4 I will leave him and find a nice each-way dart to fire at the unbeaten six-year-old. No Questions Asked probably hasn’t had too many questions asked of him on the track so far, winning a three runner point before a bumper debut which ended with an easy win over Heart Over Head. The third from that race has won since and I think we can expect more from Ben Pauling’s horse, which can give him another winner at a big meeting
Each Way No Questions Asked
