The ITV7 will be sought after by so many viewers on terrestrial TV over the coming days. Joe Napier aims to land it on day one with his seven selections in five races from Aintree and two from Southwell.
Race 1 – Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle
While there have been plenty of Triumph Hurdle runners who have followed up successfully at Aintree, it can still pay to side with those who sidestepped the Festival. SIR GINO would have been odds-on for the Cheltenham Grade 1 barring the form of Nicky Henderson’s stable and his subsequent withdrawal. He is a shade of odds-on for this too, mainly because he looked an exceptional talent when cleaning up on Trials Day at Prestbury Park and the Triumph Hurdle class did not appear to be exceptional without him. Though there is still a doubt about Henderson’s yard, he is the likeliest winner of this race if ready to do himself justice.
Race 2 – Aintree Bowl Chase
This is an excellent Grade 1 so early in the meeting. I have already previewed the race in full here in which I reasoned why GERRI COLOMBE is the best option for the win.
Race 3 – William Hill Aintree Hurdle
Bob Olinger may have had IMPAIRE ET PASSE behind him when second in the Irish Champion Hurdle to State Man, but Willie Mullins’ charge can turn the tables now with this race offering him the best conditions he has faced so far this term. 2m4f round Aintree on soft ground should be ideal for a horse who looked so promising as a novice hurdler last term and he can make amends for a disappointing first season with a belated first open Grade 1 success.
Race 4 – Liz And Izzy’s Hoap Podcast Handicap
This three-year-old handicap is wide open given a few of these are open to significant improvement over a trip they will not have encountered regularly to date. ROAD TO WEMBLEY is the one worth siding with though, given he has already stepped up to middle distances with the minimum of fuss, firstly winning on handicap debut at Wolverhampton over 1m4f, then scoring by seven lengths at Lingfield over 1m2f last time out. He is 4lb well-in without his full handicap rise applied here and looks progressive over these sorts of trips.
Race 5 – Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase
Its On The Line is the star name on the list, but he looked an awkward enough ride over 3m2f at Cheltenham and this sharper trip is a negative on that basis if anything. ROMEO MAGICO is the youngest in the line-up ages just six, but looks to be up on a useful upward trajectory. His win at Down Royal in March just after Cheltenham week was bloodless and he has now won both of his races below 3m in the point and rules spheres. It would be no surprise if Emmet Mullins has him spot on for this.
Race 6 – Download The PlanetSportBet App Handicap
This can go to LION TOWER, who was runner-up in a class 3 having dropped to this mark two starts back, and comes down in class for this race. He was down the field at Doncaster on turf in the meantime, but that run can be comfortably ignored and he looks capable of going very close here.
Race 7 – Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase
Unexpected Party could well follow up his Cheltenham success with victory here, but he is not obviously well-treated anymore and others can be preferred. One who is distinctly interesting for a trainer who targets this meeting is SANS BRUIT, who ran just ten days prior, but looks to be improving with every start for Paul Nicholls and also enjoyed the switch to fences most recently. He is officially 1lb well-in having finished second at Chepstow most recently, but he travelled strongly that day and has shaped like big field scenarios may suit if having something to aim at.
Grand National Trends 2024 – All the vital stats for Aintree marathon
There have been many changes to the Grand National over many years, but this renewal will see the field size cut from 40 to 34 which shouldn’t have a huge impact in finding the winner but both Auroras Encore (2013) & Minella Times (2021) were number 35 winners. I’m going to look at the last…
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