Forty will line up for tomorrow's Grand National at 4.15. In recent years the starter has encountered inexplicable problems when trying to send them on their way; let's hope the new man on the rostrum is up to the task. Two horses look well in at the weights - Cloudy Lane and Comply Or Die. Favourite Cloudy Lane is bypassed as he offers no value at all (as low as 9/2 with Ladbrokes) and I still need to be convinced he stays this marathon trip. Here are my selections...
1. Slim Pickings - third last year and may well have finished closer but for hitting the last; trained specifically for this. Best priced 12/1 with Ladbrokes.
2. Comply Or Die - has a nice racing weight and proved he stays over four miles by winning the Eider Chase at Newcastle in February. Generally a 10/1 shot.
3. Simon - going well when falling at Valentine's last year; has a touch of class and the weight to go with it. 12/1 with most bookmakers.
4. Bewleys Berry - likes Aintree and looked a player when falling at Becher's on the second circuit last time; 14/1.
Those looking for slighter bigger odds may want to consider an each-way wager on either Point Barrow (appears overpriced at 25/1 with Ladbrokes) - he was favourite for this last year but has been a little below his best this term, or Philson Run (28/1 with Corals) who would benefit from a drop of rain. Good luck!
I think the John Smith's People's Race is scheduled to be run at around 1.00pm (before the opener). I'm not sure if this will be televised live, but it will be worth watching should you get the chance. Well done to all the amateur jockeys - win or lose, tomorrow will be a day they'll all remember for the rest of their lives.
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Coming to two out, Slim Pickings, Bewleys Berry and Comply Or Die all looked in with a chance of winning the race. In the event it was Comply Or Die (7/1jf) who stayed on best of all, beating King Johns Castle and Snowy Morning, with Slim Pickings finishing fourth (10/1) and Bewleys Berry (12/1) fifth - if you bet BB each way I hope you did so with a bookmaker who paid on five places... Simon (11/1) raced prominently and unseated his rider at exactly the same fence (Valentines on the second circuit) as last year.
Point Barrow (25/1) was pulled up before the seventeenth while Philson Run (25/1) was hampered and fell at the Canal Turn on the first circuit.
Congratulations to Clare Twemlow who won the John Smith's People's Race by bringing her mount, Zabeel Palace, up the stands rail after the home turn. Clare spoke most eloquently afterwards when interviewed about her supported charity, Direct Aid for Africa. Well done to all the jockeys who took part.
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