Myretown 11/4 – Haydock 3.15
Since Myretown won the Ultima at last year's Cheltenham Festival, he has been my pick of the Aintree Grand National. This year things haven't gone to plan, but I think today is when we'll find out whether the big race in April is his aim or not.
This is his step up in trip to 3m 5f. If he wins and sees the trip out well on testing ground, then he should be a shoo-in for the Grand National, as long as he can get in off his handicap mark.
The way he won the Ultima last year, I don't think there are any doubts over his stamina. His jumping is the main concern this season, as he has put in quite a few blunders, which was unlike him last season.
Thanksforthehelp 28/1 – Haydock 3.50
Even though the main aim is the Pertemps finale at Cheltenham and Thanksforthehelp was poor in that race back in 2023, they'll want another go and believe he is better for big handicaps at the age of nine.
If they want him to get into the race, they'll need to win this to secure a spot, as that should see him get an increase in the handicap.
He won a late qualifier in 2023 before being the 100/30F for the finale, and it looks like they're going for a similar route at Haydock. He enjoys testing ground and is on a decent handicap mark, so I see him running a big race.
Pedley Wood 13/2 – Wincanton 2.50
I put up Pedley Wood on his last start on Boxing Day. I was expecting a big run from him that day, as were others, as he was backed into favouritism, but he ran a stinker.
I think he is worth one more chance, and maybe the drop back to 2m 4f could work in his favour. He has won over today's C&D and has found himself on a decent handicap mark. The yard is in better form now than it was around Christmas time, so maybe we got on him at the wrong time.
He has previously won on heavy ground, so we are good on all fronts.
Lightningupourdays 9/2 – Ascot 2.25
I tipped up Came From Nowhere to win a decent handicap at Ascot, and since then, I've tipped up the runner-up from his Hereford win to win a race, which he did. My selection was third in the Hereford race, and since I believe the form of Came From Nowhere is strong, I have to give him a chance in this race.
He has shown he can handle a testing surface, with the track the only question mark. It's a tough race, coming against some strong opposition, but he is a lightly raced horse who has improvement to come.
GambleAware