Aintree – Grand National day

Having had a brief look at the Randox Grand National when the weights came out, and sided with Farclas and Domaine De L’Isle, it is unfortunate to see last year’s 5^th Farclas not declared, but as he was advised NRNB, it means we can re-invest now we have the full picture in front of us.

Connections and backers of the other ante-post pick, Domaine De L’Isle, would have had a nervy week or so leading up to declaration time for the world’s most iconic race. But, as things have panned out, there needn’t have been a worry. He got in comfortably at the foot of the weights.

If you’re not already on Domaine De L’Isle for the Randox Grand National at 5.15 at Aintree today, then at 100/1 each-way with Paddy Power for 6 places, he is definitely worth more than a speculative wager.

The one worry would be his ability to go the early tempo, but he will stay, and took to the fences well enough after a sticky start in the Becher Chase in December.

But with the full field now in front of us, it would be rude not to have another couple of horses running for us. Owner JP McManus holds a very strong hand, with last year’s winner Minella Times, recent acquisition Enjoy D’Allen, School Boy Hours (who snuck in as reserve due to JP declaring another of his horses a non-runner), and National regular Anibale Fly all giving him chances.

But surely the best chance of his battalion is Any Second Now, who at 10/1 each-way with Paddy Power for 6 places, is a little bigger than I envisaged he might be. The case is clear for last year’s luckless 3^rd, as he was brought to a standstill by a faller late on the first circuit, and did incredibly well to get back into the race.

Any Second Now looks to have had an ideal preparation for the race again, and can give Ted Walsh a famous second win in the race after Papillon in 2000, while it would also be a notable career milestone for the unflappable, rock-solid Mark Walsh.

With the late glut of withdrawals, a couple of very interesting contenders have got into the race, not least School Boy Hours and Eclair Surf (recent form boost extraordinaire) – but the most appealing is without doubt Fortescue, who is available at a slightly skinny 18/1 each-way with Paddy Power for 6 places. But nevertheless, Fortescue warrants an investment, and you may be able to get bigger during the morning.

With options of the Scottish Grand National last week, and the Bet365 Gold Cup in two weeks, Henry Daly has stood firm with his intention to run Fortescue in the Randox Grand National at Aintree at 5.15 today.

There isn’t a horse in the field with a more progressive profile this season, and one who could quite conceivably improve even further for the National test. Fortescue jumps normal fences with such aplomb, it is hoped he will take to the unique obstacles in grand style, and he shapes as if he will stay every yard of the 4m2½f trip and more.

There are a few bets to be had on the Aintree undercard also – first up is the opening race, the EFT Construction Handicap Hurdle at 1.45.

The feature here is the re-engaging of battle of plenty of horses who ran at the Cheltenham Festival, and in particular the Pertemps Final. Seven ran in that, a further four ran in other races at the Festival, and two more ran at Uttoxeter on the Saturday after the Festival in tiring conditions.

It has been notable how flat a few that ran that week have been at Aintree over the last couple of days, and so it is worth siding with the fresh Remastered at 7/1 each-way for 5 places here.

On his seasonal debut, Remastered ran a cracker over this very course and distance, and was in the process of running a huge race in the Ladbrokes Trophy immediately after that, until falling 4 out. He goes well fresh, has run well in the spring before, and has had a wind operation since two runs over fences at Haydock, which will have rebuilt his confidence after the Newbury fall.

David Pipe has his horses in great form, and all looks set for a big run from Remastered at 7/1 each-way with Paddy Power in the 1.45 at Aintree today.

The Remastered November Aintree form line is also charged with coming to the fore in the JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle at 3.35, in the shape of the big-priced outsider Koshari at 18/1 each-way with Paddy Power.

Again, a feature of this race is the rematch of plenty from Cheltenham – the Stayers’ Hurdle the obvious pointer this time. Of the four who met that day, Koshari finished behind the other three, but there are enough reasons to think he can get much closer, and even turn around the form today.

Koshari will be much fresher than some, having not run before Cheltenham since his win at 80/1 over course and distance on first start for David Christie in November, and the stop/start gallop in the Stayers Hurdle (dictated wonderfully by Danny Mullins on Flooring Porter) was never going to play to Koshari’s strengths.

There is more opposition up front for Flooring Porter to deal with today, in the shape of Molly Olly’s Wishes and Ashdale Bob, and it is more than likely this will be run at a more even tempo. If it is, then I can see Koshari picking off plenty late on.

At 18/1 each-way with Paddy Power, Koshari is quite markedly overpriced in my view, for the Liverpool Hurdle at 3.35 today.

The final selections before the big one come in the preceding race, the Betway Handicap Chase at 4.15. My immediate thought is to take on the potentially incredibly well-handicapped Shan Blue, as he has never been a spring horse.

Instead, I am siding with two horses who ran very well in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival. The obvious worry about this coming soon enough is there, but both Oscar Elite and Tea Clipper should be fresher than most, and have always been horses that have blossomed in the spring.

In Oscar Elite at 6/1 each-way and Tea Clipper at 15/2 each-way, both with Paddy Power for 5 places, we should have two great chances to boost the bank before the Grand National an hour later.