Day two of the Grand National meeting is competitive from front to back. In the first, penultimate and final races, GG tipster Joe Napier gives you his best bets for the second day at Aintree.
1.45 Aintree – Jazzy Matty (1pt e/w – 10/1)
After such a big run at Cheltenham off a mark 13lb above this hurdling one, Jazzy Matty is unignorable. Cian Collins’ charge ran well enough when fifth at Cheltenham in a similar contest earlier this term. The winner of that race is nearly 20lb higher in the handicap now, so the selection had little charge on that first run of the campaign. The fact his Grand Annual second was on his first run after wind surgery suggests more could be to come. He is still only a seven-year-old and the chance of him being a handicap blot over the smaller obstacles is one not to miss.
4.40 Aintree – Dalston lad (1pt e/w – 8/1)
The Albert Bartlett proved to be a puzzling race. It also turned into a gruelling one where Johnny’s Jury’s stamina came to the fore. Just four weeks on, it may pay to side with those who did not run in that race. No Drama This End may well recover, but Dalston Lad is the most progressive horse to have avoided Cheltenham altogether. All of his runs over hurdles have been on ground quicker than soft. Having made a slow start to his career over timber, he has made superb strides of late. Three wins on the bounce culminated in a four-length Grade 2 win at Haydock over this trip and the runner-up ran well enough at Cheltenham. Coming here fresh can prove the ultimate positive.
5.15 Aintree – The Mighty Celt (0.5pt e/w – 16/1)
A four-year-old stepping up against his elders is no guarantee to maintain his form. However, the Fred Winter may have been a fairly decent renewal at Cheltenham and The Mighty Celt was running on in some style having got no run through the crucial stages of the race. In the clear, he ran on brilliantly up the home straight when victory was out of the question. He shaped like a horse who could be talented and a big-field handicap can still suit. Although he found trouble in-running at Cheltenham, a strong pace with cover could enable him to travel into the race and spring late.
