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IT'S Grand National day and while the main focus is quite rightly on the big race there is also a lovely undercard that Voice of Value has studied to find us some winners.
A few of them are a damn sight easier to work out than the National itself. Here's Voice of Value's race-by-race guide to today's card.
Aintree 1.45
A competitive 3m handicap hurdle. I had a long look at Zarkandar who is probably better on a flat track like Aintree and 25-1 is generous for a classy horse like him but I think there are one or two further down the handicap that are open to improvement and he is giving weight away to everyone. The one I have plumped for is FOUNTAINS WINDFALL. Anthony Honeyball doesn’t have the biggest string of horses but he can get one ready for the big occasion. This one could still be nicely handicapped after two novice hurdle wins and is a potential improver unlike quite a few of these.
Selection: Fountains Windfall 1pt e-w @ 12-1 (Various, SkyBet paying 6 places)
Aintree 2.25
A competitive novice hurdle but not as competitive as the races that FINIANS OSCAR missed at Cheltenham. I would have priced him up at 2-1 or thereabouts so I was pleasantly surprised to see 100-30 available. It’s a simple win bet on Finians Oscar for me who could be a class above the rest of these.
Selection: Finians Oscar 3pt win @ 100-30 (Paddy Power)
Aintree 3.00
I’m not a big fan of backing a horse who fell last time out so you can probably guess that I have no interest in the odds-on price about Charbel. The two alternatives for me are the Paul Nicholls pair Politologue and SAN BENEDETO. I think Paddy Power have got the price wrong on the latter. He has progressed nicely this season and was even better on good ground last
time. Politologue might benefit from the drop to 2 miles but that’s a gamble and I prefer San Benedeto at the prices. Those of you who are keen on Charbel might want to back San Benedeto in the ‘without Charbel’ market where he is also good value.
Selection: San Benedeto 1 pt win @ 9-1 (Paddy Power)
Aintree 3.40
Quite a few exposed horses and older horses who don’t hold too much appeal in this one. The one I have gone for is a horse with an appropriate name in EMERGING FORCE who could indeed be an emerging force. The good ground suits and he has had a break since December which suits him because he goes well after a break. A solid prospect at the prices.
Selection: Emerging Force 1 pt win @ 7-1 (Hills, Bet365 and others)
Aintree 4.20
A competitive race that will probably revolve around Yanworth. I’m not convinced that his poor show in the Champion Hurdle was just down to the distance of the race as some people argue and 2-1 is plenty short enough about a horse who has to prove that he will stay. He may well do and this race might be the making of him but I’ll avoid him for just now. I’m in danger of making SNOW FALCON something of a cliff horse but I thought he travelled nicely in the World Hurdle and just didn’t make it up the hill. The flat track here will be much more to his liking and he’s good each way value in a wide open race.
Selection: Snow Falcon 1pt e/w @ 14/1 (Boylesports)
Aintree 5.15
Check out my runner-by-runner guide for the National here. My selections are listed at the bottom. With Bless The Wings confirmed as a non-runner my suggestion for an alternative is TENOR NIVERNAIS who you can back at 50-1 which is far too big given his class.
Selction: Tenor Nivernais 1pt e-w @ 50-1 (Hills, Paddy Power and others – all paying 5 places)
See guide for other Grand National tips (Vicente, Rogue Angel and Cause of Causes)
Aintree 6.15
If you’re lucky enough to have any cash left by the time we reach the last race get it lumped on SO CELEBRE. Ian Williams is in great form just now and his runner here has solid recent form with his win at Ascot and there could be more to come. The good ground will suit him nicely and I really like his chances with David Noonan a very capable apprentice to have on board.
Selection: So Celebre 2 pt e-w @ 7-1 (BetVictor)
Few crackers here ?
Yeah 3 winners and a place – winners of first 3 races which was excellent.