All eyes will be on Aintree this Saturday where the final day of the Grand National meeting peaks with the Grand National itself. The race is perhaps not as popular as it once was – and, as someone who worked in betting shops, I can tell you it was VERY popular – and has certainly lost some of its lustre following tweaks to make the race safer, but there will still be millions huddled around the television at 4 o’clock tomorrow afternoon. For many, this will be their first introduction to racing and betting, and the race serves as an important gateway into this fantastic sport.
There’s a stacked undercard as you would expect from a meeting of this nature and it kicks off with the Maghull Novices’ Chase (12:45). This doesn’t look a deep race with several of the field coming into it trying new headgear, and the Irish hold a strong hand with Kala Conti and Salvator Mundi heading the market. Both have been kept fresh having skipped Cheltenham and the 7lb mares’ allowance may tip the balance in the favour of the former, although Salvator Mundi was an impressive winner over hurdles at this meeting last year.
The 13:20 sees impressive Cheltenham winner Supremely West return to the track. A 9lb rise for his win in the Pertemps Network Final shouldn’t be enough to stop him winning more races – improving youngster Hold The Serve looks the main danger.
The Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (13:55) sees Bossman Jack and Ballyfad face off again having filled sixth and tenth places in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month. They set a good standard but face a couple of real improvers in Montemares and Scorpio Rising. Soldier Reeves actually did best of those who ran in the Turners, finishing fourth, and should go well again here.
Similarly, the Liverpool Hurdle (15:05) sees several runners reoppose from the Stayers’ Hurdle. Home By The Lee, who won that contest, is only sixth favourite at the time of writing, with Impose Toi, and Honesty Policy both shorter in the betting despite finishing behind that rival at the Festival. There’s some spice added to the race by two improving handicappers, with Act Of Entitlement and Jingko Blue both having won at Cheltenham last time out. Hiddenvalley Lake has bombed on his last two starts but won this last year and might bounce back on better going. He beat Strong Leader in that contest and this resolute sort reopposes having missed the Festival with this race in mind – he’s also had a wind op and that might work the trick.
Away from Aintree, there’s some fine flat racing on this weekend too with Leopardstown hosting a good card featuring some promising sorts on Sunday. The highlight is undoubtedly the Ballysax Stakes (16:55), a key Derby trial that features current Derby favourite Pierre Bonnard. This hugely likeable sort is already a Group1 winner but should be even better this year and could be something quite special. He should win this enroute to Epsom.
Meanwhile, in Australia, Autumn Glow returns to the track looking to make it 12/12 in his career in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (07:35, Saturday) at Randwick. This horse looks the best animal in Australia right now having won back to back Group 1 races.
Race Of The Day
It can only be the Grand National (16:00). This looks a solid renewal with plenty of classy types including Welsh National winner Haiti Couleurs and King George winner Banbridge. Willie Mullins has won this for the last two years and has a strong hand again despite last year’s winner Nick Rockett being a late non-runner, with favourite I Am Maximus (2nd last year) and Grangeclare West (likely type) as part of his 8 strong team.
A race to savour, although picking the winner is easier said than done with 34 going to post.
Horse To Watch
John & Thady Gosden suffered a blow today when leading 2000 Guineas contender Publish was ruled out of the race but they might have an able deputy in Organise (17:06, Saturday). This son of top sire Night Of Thunder was hugely impressive when romping home on his debut in November and this May foal should have improved plenty for a winter on his back. He should win here before going on to contest a Guineas trial.
