The Grand National arrives on Saturday among seven races at Aintree. GG’s in-house tipster Joe Napier gives his four best across the day, including hopes for a grey day in the big one…
1.20 Aintree – William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle
Nicky Henderson recorded a one-two in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham, and Liverpool’s 3m handicap hurdle may go to Seven Barrows too. Jeriko Du Reponet was touched off in that race when second to stablemate Doddiethegreat, who was stepping up in trip, and it may just be that another Henderson charge relishes this extra distance in BO ZENITH.
The six-year-old was a useful juvenile hurdler who nearly won the four-year-old Grade 1 here two seasons ago, going down by a short-head to Zenta of Willie Mullins’. He then missed over 600 days, during which he joined Nicky Henderson , and ran two hugely eyecatching races on his first two starts, coming from miles back to be third at Cheltenham before similarly staying on at Ascot.
Dropping back to 2m clearly did not help in the Imperial Cup at Sandown, but he has slid a couple of pounds in the handicap and this race could be the making of him. First time cheekpieces may aid his concentration too.
2.30 Aintree – William Hill Handicap Chase
Myretown might just be a Graded horse in the making given how impressively he won at Cheltenham. He was carrying precious little weight though and the handicapper has shoved him up 15lb, which is quite an increase. Until he proves it again, he can be taken on at what look to be cramped odds.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, RICHMOND LAKE owes his price to one bad run at Cheltenham despite the fact that he has run really well in defeat all season up to that point. He was second over these Mildmay fences to an improving course specialist, as well as fourth in the Grand Sefton and third in Haydock’s Peter Marsh Chase.
Those runs prove not only that he runs well at this track, but also that he has the stamina. He might prefer the ground slightly softer, but he is now 2lb down in the handicap for his first four runs of this term, all of which saw him hit the frame and Cheltenham can be excused on account of the track. He looks a huge price.
3.05 Aintree – Ivy Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1)
Teahupoo could easily bounce back from his defeat as favourite at Cheltenham, but Aintree might not be his ideal track, and as a horse who goes so well fresh, the quick turnaround between runs is a concern. He remains the best horse in the race, but these may not be conditions he excels in.
Kitzbuhel is a hugely unknown quantity for Willie Mullins but looks an exciting prospect, while Strong Leader won this last year and may improve back at this track. However, another course and distance winner form this meeting last season was GWENNIE MAY BOY, who could be a fly in the ointment here for the Skeltons.
He bolted in in the 3m handicap here last term, admittedly off a low mark, but improved from some decent handicap efforts to easily win the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock last time out. This trip on ground quicker than soft is his cup of tea, and given how easily he won at this track last season, Aintree may just aid his chances even further.
4.00 Aintree – Randox Grand National Handicap Chase
The ultimate race. It’s more than likely I Am Maximus goes off favourite and makes a bold bid for back-to-back victories, but although good jumping is no longer a prerequisite to success in a Grand National, it would still be a concern off top-weight with plenty of high quality opposition also in attendance.
The ground could be on the sharp side for him, but INTENSE RAFFLES otherwise has plenty going for him. He won on good-to-soft in France, so there is reason to be hopeful he will cope, as he was an impressive winner of the Irish National last season when jumping for fun.
His two hurdles runs this campaign can be forgiven as he was then a close second in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, losing by less than a length to Nick Rockett when conceding 3lb. He looks a more likely stayer than the winner on that evidence too and a mark of 151 could still underestimate his progression. If not foiled by the underfoot conditions, he should play a leading role.
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