Saturday 5th April 2025
1.20 Aintree: William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle: My first selection on Grand National Day comes within the 1.20 at Aintree and this is Premier Handicap hurdle that’s contested over three miles and half of a furlong. I like Act Of Authority here for Olly Murphy and Lewis Saunders who takes off seven pounds. He’s been ultra-consistent this term and took his form to the next level last time out when finishing second behind Wodhooh in the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival. He’ll effectively contest this off a two-pound lower mark with the rider being able to claim seven and if a long season hasn’t caught up with him he can go well again. Act Of Authority – 8/1 (Each-Way) (6 places – Bet365, Sky Bet, Paddy Power, Betfair, Unibet)
1.55 Aintree: Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle: We move into Grade 1 company at 1.55 with the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle over two miles and four furlongs. I think that this particular affair is all about Lulamba who represents the team of Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville. He’s a highly promising four-year-old and showcased said promise on his stable debut when getting the better of Mondo Man at Ascot by three and a half lengths. He then followed up with a fine effort at Cheltenham when finishing a neck second to shock winner Poniros in the Triumph Hurdle. He gets the age allowance here and I think he’ll take some stopping. Lulamba – 6/5 (Win)
2.30 Aintree: William Hill Handicap Chase: The third race of the day is the 2.30 and this is the William Hill Handicap Chase which is a Premier Handicap over three miles and a furlong. I’m taking a chance on Cruz Control here who’s currently trading at a best price of 10/1 for Tom Lacey and Stan Sheppard. He’ll come into the race fresh having only had two starts this season and whilst he’s not shown much in either of those starts, he’ll contest this off just a three-pound higher mark than when he won this last year. He’ll need to bounce back to form, however, a return to this contest has likely been the plan all year. Cruz Control – 10/1 (Each-Way) (4 places – Most Firms)
3.05 Aintree: Ivy Liverpool Hurdle: It’s more Grade 1 action at 3.05 with the Liverpool Hurdle taking centre-stage over three miles and half of a furlong. I’m taking on Teahupoo here with the younger horse in Kitzbuhel who represents Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. He’s been impressive in his two starts for Closutton since coming over from France, with his latest outing coming at Gowran Park in February when he won a Grade 3 contest by just shy of three lengths. He’s got a bit to find on ratings here with some of the older horses, however, he could have bundles of improvement yet to come and he’ll also be fresh having missed Cheltenham. Kitzbuhel – 5/1 (Each-Way)
4.00 Aintree: Randox Grand National Handicap Chase: The big one comes up at 4.00 which is of course the Grand National Handicap Chase that’s contested over four miles and two and a half furlongs. I always try my hand with four selections in the race, and I’ve done that again this time. My first selection is Iroko for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero. He’s a classy operator and has been campaigned all season with this race in mind, he was last seen when finishing second behind Grey Dawning at Kelso which is solid form in itself, but he’s got plenty of strong form to his name and is also a Cheltenham Festival winner. I think his current mark of 152 could underestimate him slightly and I think he has a big chance. Iroko – 10/1 (Each-Way) (6 places – Most Firms)
I also like Stumptown who represents the team of Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue. He’s probably the most solid option in the race, with a string of victories to his name with his most recent success coming at the Cheltenham Festival last month where he won the the Cross Country race by seven lengths. He’ll have no issues with the course or distance and if his Cheltenham exploits haven’t taken it out of him he’s got every chance of being on the premises yet again. He represents a yard who have risen in the ranks markedly in recent years and they could land the big one with this raider. Stumptown – 10/1 (Each-Way) (6 places – Most Firms)
My third selection is another Irish challenger and this comes in the form of Minella Cocooner who represents last year’s winning trainer in Willie Mullins and is ridden by Jonathan Burke. He’s got some very strong form to his name within competitive handicaps as he signed off his season last term with a win in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown. He struggled behind Galopin Des Champs in Grade 1 company throughout the winter, however, stayed on last time out in February when finishing fourth behind Nicky Rockett in the Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase. I think an extreme distance is what he’s been after, and if he gets a clear round he could run a big race. Minella Cocooner – 14/1 (Each-Way) (6 places – Most Firms)
My fourth and final selection is a home challenger as I think that Beauport could run a big race for Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies. He won the Midlands Grand National last year and returned to the track this term with a thirty-one-length success in the Berkshire National at Ascot in November. Since then, he’s run very well in graded hurdle races, including when finishing third in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot and just a length and a half behind Crambo and most recently when second in the Rendelsham Hurdle at Haydock. He’s a very talented horse on his day and has been in great form recently, if he gets a clear round he can have a say. Beauport – 25/1 (Each-Way) (6 places – Most Firms)
