It’s Grand National week and the Tote are guaranteeing £500,000 in the Placepot every day of the huge Aintree meeting.
GG Editor Rob Plumbridge landed the Placepot on Day One at Aintree and makes his suggestions on how to scoop some of the big prize today.
Leg 1: 1.45pm
Leg 1 Selections: (3) Gerri Colombe
Gerri Colombe can get us off to a good start as is the sole selection in the opener. He lost his unbeaten tag by the narrowest of margins at Cheltenham but should make up for that here. He had market rival Bronn behind that day and if barring a mishap won’t be out of the frame.
Leg 2: 2.20pm
Leg 2 Selections: (3) Camprond(10) Martello Sky (20) Pull Again Green
This is a tough handicap and ultra competitive. Camprond is the obvious starting point having run so well at Cheltenham and beaten into 3rd by two clearly well-treated runners. He makes one of three selections. Martello Sky has some solid form, without winning recently she has run some fine races including a placed effort in graded company. Pull Again Green makes up the final selection with a hand claim from his jockey.
Leg 3: 2.55pm
Leg 3 Selections: (3) Found A fifty (6) Inthepocket
Fairly straightforward here with the two Irish Found A Fifty and Inthepocket both looking very strong based on their performances in graded company this year. Inthepocket certainly wasn’t disgraced in the Supreme and is marginally the preference but having both in should secure us a spot in the next leg.
Leg 4: 3.30pm
Leg 4 Selections: (1) Fakir D’Oudairies
Fakir D’Oudairies always comes to Aintree in the spring with his A game and can reverse form with Pic D’Hory here from Ascot. Everything is ripe for a big run from him today and his trainer’s form was confirmed with Banbridge yesterday.
Leg 5: 4.05pm
Leg 5 Selections: (10) Ashdown Lad (14) Gesskile
Both Gesskile and Ashdown Lad have shown a liking for these fences and that’s pretty crucial for a race like this which won’t be to everyone’s flavour. There should be enough in both marks not to hinder them and they should be thereabouts.
Leg 6: 4.40pm
Leg 6 Selections: (1) Absolute Notions (8) Maximilian
Absolute Notions looked like he’ll love this step up in distance and could be a real force at 3 miles. He holds strong Irish form and could improve again. Maximilian is another on the improve and has only been beaten once and makes our shortlist.
Suggested Placepot
Leg 1 Selections: (3) Gerri Colombe
Leg 2 Selections: (3) Camprond(10) Martello Sky (20) Pull Again Green
Leg 3 Selections: (3) Found A fifty (6) Inthepocket
Leg 4 Selections: (1) Fakir D’Oudairies
Leg 5 Selections: (10) Ashdown Lad (14) Gesskile
Leg 6 Selections: (1) Absolute Notions (8) Maximilian
24 Lines @ £1 a line = £24