The 2025 Grand National takes place on Saturday. The most famous race in the world still retains its splendour as Andrew Mount previews it with his bet in the race, as well as elsewhere on the Saturday cards.
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Posted: 2:35pm, Friday, April 4th
1.20 Aintree – ACT OF AUTHORITY (1pt e/w – 8-1 generally, though Sky Bet’s 15-2 seven places is attractive)
The form of ACT OF AUTHORITY’s 28-1 runner-up effort to Wodhood in the Martin Pipe was franked when that one gave Lossiemouth a race in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle on Thursday and Olly Murphy’s seven-year-old, winner of his only point-to-point start, looks likely to appreciate the step up to 3m. His patient running style will be an asset and, if we knock out his seasonal debuts, his record over 2m3f+ reads 111432 (3-6).
2.30 Aintree – IMPERIAL SAINT (1.5pt win – 6/1 generally)
With no Myretow in this 3m1f handicap chase the way looks clear for course expert IMPERIAL SAINT. The Hobbs & White-trained seven-year-old needs to prove his stamina but won over 3m between the flags and wasn’t stopping at the finish when successful by six and a half lengths over 2m4f here on Boxing Day (good to soft). His two other course wins came on good ground and his prominent running style will be an asset.
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3.05 Aintree – BUDDY ONE (1pt e/w – 20/1 BetVictor, 20/1 Betfred, 18/1 Sky Bet, all four places. Bigger elsewhere but that extra place is very valuable)
BUDDY ONE can usually be relied upon to run his race at the spring festivals in Britain, finishing a close-up third to Iroko when 28-1 for the 2023 renewal of the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham before going one better in the 2m4f handicap hurdle at Aintree the following month and completing another Cheltenham/Aintree in-the-frame double last year, running a 40-1 fourth in the Stayers’ Hurdle when tipped in this column prior to chasing home STRONG LEADER in today’s race. He left some very modest efforts behind him when a 50-1 fifth of 13 in last month’s Stayers’ Hurdle and can run another big race at an each-way price. I’ve saved on Strong Leader and will combine the pair in a Tote Exacta.
4.00 Aintree – MINELLA COCOONER (1pt e/w – 16/1 betway, PricedUp, 14/1 Ladbrokes, Coral)
MINELLA COCOONER’s four best RPR (Racing Post Ratings) have come in March/April and Willie Mullins’ nine-year-old will appreciate the drying spring ground after his respectable prep on soft going at Fairyhouse in February. His record on ground judged by Proform to be good to soft or faster reads 11122189 (4-8) for a profit of £16.20 to a £1 level stake at SP, with the two unplaced efforts behind Galopin Des Champs in Grade 1 company this term when protecting his handicap mark prior to today’s race was the priority.
Andrew Mount’s Best Bets
1.20 Aintree – ACT OF AUTHORITY (1pt e/w – 8-1 generally, though Sky Bet’s 15-2 seven places is attractive)
2.30 Aintree – IMPERIAL SAINT (1.5pt win – 6/1 generally)
3.05 Aintree – BUDDY ONE (1pt e/w – 20/1 BetVictor, 20/1 Betfred, 18/1 Sky Bet, all four places. Bigger elsewhere but that extra place is very valuable)
4.00 Aintree – MINELLA COCOONER (1pt e/w – 16/1 betway, PricedUp, 14/1 Ladbrokes, Coral)
Act Of Authority
Imperial Saint
Andrew Mount’s tips for Saturday, 5th April 2025
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