Saturday 13th April 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (jordan_yates_)
Aintree Grand National Meeting 2024
1.20: William Hill Handicap Hurdle: Kicking things off on Grand National Day is the 1.20 which is a handicap hurdle action over three miles and half of a furlong. I’ve had two picks in this particular affair, the first of which is West Balboa for Dan & Harry Skelton. She won this race last year and also won at the track on her seasonal reappearance this time around, she found graded company difficult but posted a better effort back within handicap company at Kempton last time. She should be bang there once again here. My other pick is Johnnywho for Jonjo O’Neil and Jonjo Jr. He’s another who’s found graded events tough this term, in his case within the novice ranks. However, this is his handicap debut and I think there’s every chance he could be better than this opening mark. He was a winner of three miles in the pointing sphere and I think he can go well in this. West Balboa – 10/3 (Win) & Johnnywho- 8/1 (Each-Way)
1.55: Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle: Next up it’s the 1.55 which is the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle over two miles and four furlongs. I really like the chances of Brighterdaysahead here who represents the team of Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy. It came as somewhat of a shock when she was unable to win the Mares Novice event at Cheltenham when finishing second to Golden Ace, however, I think she’s a lot better than she showed that day. Connections have been bullish about how good they think she is and getting the mares allowance here I think she could take a lot of beating. Brighterdaysahead – 15/8 (Win) (NAP)
2.30: William Hill Handicap Chase: The third race of the afternoon is the 2.30 which is handicap action over three miles and a furlong. I’m with Forward Plan here for the combination of Anthony Honeyball and Ben Godfrey who takes off three pounds. He’s an ultra-consistent eight-year-old who stayed on very strongly last time out at Kempton to win the Grade 3 Coral Trophy by a length and a quarter, giving him another two competitive handicap victories this season. He’ll come into the race fresh with that last success being back in February and he could well have more to offer on a four-pound higher mark. Forward Plan – 13/2 (Each-Way)
3.05: JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle: It’s more Grade 1 action at 3.05 with the Liverpool Hurdle taking centre-stage over a distance of three miles and half of a furlong. I’m taking a chance on an Irish raider here in Hiddenvalley Lake who represents Henry De Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore. He’s the most unexposed horse in the race and is lightly raced for an eight-year-old, when he was last seen he won the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle at Navan and he also has form over three miles having won a Grade 3 over that distance in his novice days. I think he’s very interesting and could surprise a few of the more experienced ones here. Hiddenvalley Lake – 13/2 (Each-Way) (NB)
4.00: Randox Grand National Handicap Chase:
The feature event comes up at 4.00 which is the Randox Health Grand National that’s contested over a distance of four miles and two and a half furlongs. Each year I try my hand with four picks in the big one and these are as follows:
Selections:
I Am Maximus – 17/2 (Each-Way) : My first selection is the Willie Mullins trained eight-year-old I am Maximus who won the Irish Grand National last year and took his form to the next level when winning the Grade 1 Drinmore Chase on his seasonal reappearance this term. He beat Vanillier by fourteen-lengths on his most recent appearance and should he get a clear round here he’s got to be a massive player.
Meetingofthewaters – 11/1 (Each-Way) : It’s another one for Willie Mullins for my second pick and that’s Meetingofthewaters who’s another progressive sort who was last seen when finishing a fine third of twenty-one in the Ultima Chase at Cheltenham last month. He also won the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown earlier in the season and I believe he’s another that can run a huge race for the all-conquering trainer.
Vanillier – 11/1 (Each-Way) : My third selection is the Gavin Cromwell trained Vanillier who’s the mount of Sean Flanagan, he was second in the race last year, staying on strongly to get within two and a quarter lengths of Corach Rambler, which was a fine effort. It’s clear that they’ve trained him this campaign to peak for this race and I think another big run could be on the cards.
Mr Incredible – 14/1 (Each-Way) – The fourth and final pick for me is a third runner for Willie Mullins and that’s Mr Incredible who’s the mount of Brian Hayes. He returned to the track last month with a fine second placed effort in the Midland’s Grand National at Uttoxeter and he’s got every chance of building on that here. He’ll have no issue with the trip and he could well outstay a good few of his rivals here.
5.00: My Pension Expert Maghull Novices’ Chase: Signing me off for the day and the meeting is the 5.00 which is the Grade 1 Maghull Novices’ Chase over two miles. I’m chancing Hercule Du Seuil here who sports the famous silks of J P McManus for Willie Mullins and Mark Walsh. He’s somewhat of a winning machine having won his last five and he comes into the race extremely fresh having not being seen since October. His last three victories have all come within Grade 3 company and he’s got every chance of taking the form to the next level in what doesn’t look like a strong Grade 1. He also goes well fresh. Hercule Du Seuil – 6/1 (Each-Way)
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