In his exclusive column, the Irish jump jockey and Betway ambassador picks his favourites for the opening day at Aintree
I’m really looking forward to the Grand National meeting.
They look after us really well at Aintree and it’s a magic place where all the locals get so involved too.
If you get a good spin over those National fences, there is no bigger buzz for a jockey.
Only the one ride for me
On the opening day of the meeting I’ve only got the one ride.
Dandridge takes his chance in the Red Rum Handicap Chase (4.40pm) having finished second in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival last time.
He made a couple of jumping errors that day as he was a bit ‘novicey’ and he’ll have to be on his A-game to win this.
He schooled well earlier in the week and it’s just a question of whether he steps forward from his experience at Cheltenham or takes a step backwards. Obviously I’m hopeful it will be the former.
One thing for certain is there will be no hiding place as they will go lightning-quick.
Don Poli looks the one to beat
The Bowl (2.50pm) should be a hell of a race with all the big guns standing their ground.
Cue Card fell three out in the Gold Cup when still apparently full of running, while eventual runner-up Djakadam is another back for more.
I suppose it will all come down to which of the big guns has recovered quickest from those Cheltenham exertions and I’ve a sneaky feeling that could be Don Poli who ran on to finish third.
My reasoning is that I’m not sure he is intelligent enough to remember whether he did or didn’t have a hard race!
He has won at the track before and any more rain will only help his cause.
Sizing John can land the opener
The novices’ chase (1.40pm) looks another cracker on paper, but Sizing John leaps off the page at me.
He has the best form in the book and, more importantly, no Douvan to contest with.
Trainer Henry De Bromhead is no stranger to success at Aintree having, landed the Maghull Novices’ Chase at this meeting last year with Sizing Granite.
Annie has the Power again
There may only be six runners in the Aintree Hurdle (3.25pm), but once again it looks a terrific race on paper.
Annie Power was an emphatic winner of the Champion Hurdle last time and will once again be very hard to beat with her mares’ allowance.
That said, the track is bound to suit My Tent Or Yours better and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him narrow the gap a bit.
READ: Richard Johnson: Garde La Victoire goes to Aintree with strong claims
READ: Davy Russell: Road To Riches has big chance but ground is a worry
