The ITV7 is notoriously difficult to land and is only tougher when the Grand National comes around. However, we have picked our seven horses for the racing at Aintree and Chepstow tomorrow to try and claim the jackpot.
Race 1 – 1.55pm Mersey Novices’ Hurdle
The mare Brighterdaysahead seeks compensation for a surprise turnover in the Mares’ Novices’ at Cheltenham, but doing so against the boys will be no easy task despite this trip suiting better. Both she and CALDWELL POTTER come from a remarkable National Hunt family in which all five half-siblings have been extremely talented and coming here fresh may be ideal for the selection. Paul Nicholls now trains after his high profile 740,000E sale in February and given his 2m Grade 1 win in December came in some of the most attritional conditions this season, he may well improve for the step up in distance.
Race 2 – 2.15pm DragonBet The Bookmaker Of Wales Handicap Chase
Time will tell if ROUGE DE L’QUEST’s easy win at Ffos Las two weeks ago was fluke or not, but the fact he is running again just 13 days later would suggest the yard are very happy with his fitness and confident he can go in again off an 8lb higher mark. He has not been at his best in two starts at this track, but the first time blinkers which seemed to work wonders last time are retained to continue their sharpening.
Race 3 – 2.30pm William Hill Handicap Chase
Crebilly would not be the first Jonjo O’Neill-trained horse to find his mojo over staying trips, but he is no guarantee to appreciate it more. A chance may be worth taking on the rejuvenated FALCO BLITZ in the hope that his comeback is not temporary. He has won two handicaps in Ireland with ease on his last two starts and his mark does not look too taxing as he makes the journey over here for the hat-trick.
Race 4 – 2.50pm DragonBet 8 Places On The National Handicap Chase
There were signs of promise in INEDIT DE MEE’s stable debut at Doncaster in December, so while he was last of seven, he may well improve significantly back to this trip on soft ground. His mark is 3lb lower and the balance of his French form as a juvenile hurdler suggests he was promising and talented enough to do better under these conditions.
Race 5 – 3.05pm Liverpool Hurdle
The last two renewals have gone to Sire Du Berlais, with Flooring Porter second and third. Both ran well again in the Stayers’ Hurdle too, but are worth taking on given neither are demonstrably as good as they were. MONKFISH may have had a hard race in the Gold Cup (bled from the nose), but he kept pace for a long way and was pulled up early enough. A line can be firmly drawn through that given it was his first chase start for nearly three years. His Galmoy Hurdle win on this surface in January was up there with the best staying hurdling performances of the season and a repeat would have him involved.
Race 6 – 3.32pm Bet 20 Get 20 With DragonBet Mares’ Handicap Hurdle
Almost the entire field have elements of their recent form to recommend them on, but the increase in trip to almost 3m might be exactly what MOLTO BENE needs. She won on her handicap debut under the most stamina-testing conditions she had faced before dropping in trip to be only third of four at Fontwell. However, she is eased 1lb with potential for much better.
Race 7 – 4.00pm Randox Grand National
The most difficult race the ITV7 will pose to viewers all season. Plenty possess chances, but the best combination of class and stamina, plus an attractive enough mark, may belong to 2021 Gold Cup hero MINELLA INDO. He has always struck as a nice type for this race and has been entered in the past when his mark was still that of a Grade 1 horse. He was still talented enough to claim Grade 3 honours in the last two seasons, while his Cross Country handicap debut at Cheltenham in December promised much regarding his prospects in this kind of race. Only when Tiger Roll won it a second time has a winner in the last decade run in the race before, so his course inexperience is no barrier and his chances should not be underestimated.
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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