In the last of his Aintree blogs, the Betway ambassador previews the flagship race of the jump season...
I’ve only the one ride on Grand National day and that’s in the big race itself aboard Saint Are ({ODDS:149285397:33/1}) for Tom George.
As a jockey, there is no race quite like it and it’s a real thrill to get a chance to ride over those famous fences.
This will be my 13th ride in the race and I’ll be hoping to beat my best finish of seventh back in 2006, which was aboard Joes Edge.
As for Saint Are, he’s been here twice before and famously finished second to Many Clouds a couple of years ago, so we know he goes well here.
I guess the positives are that he stays, he should get the sound surface he requires, he handles the unique fences and, most importantly, returned to some form at Doncaster last time.
The only question is whether he is quite as good as he was, but this place some re-kindle the odd fire in plenty of horses.
I’m hoping he can roll back the years and use every ounce of his ample experience.
People often ask me about tactics and the truth is the race doesn’t really begin until the final circuit.
The key is getting into a rhythm and staying out of trouble.
Yes, you need the right horse, but you also need plenty of luck.
Rest of the Aintree card
As I mentioned before, I’ve no ride on the rest of the card but have given my thoughts belo
1.45pm Gaskells Handicap Hurdle
It’s difficult to have a strong opinion on a wide-open looking 22-runner handicap hurdle, but I was taken with the way Barney Dawn ({ODDS:149469618:7/1}) ran at Cheltenham.
He finished second to me [Presenting Percy] in the Pertemps and can still be competitive from just a 5lb higher mark.
2.25pm Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle
Another cracking looking Betway-sponsored race.
I’ve always been a fan of Lough Derg Spirit ({ODDS:149469644:15/2}), who looks to be crying out for this step up in trip.
Another plus is that he missed Cheltenham, so lines up here as a fresh horse.
3.00pm Doom Bar Maghull Novices’ Chase
Only a field of five for a valuable prize which looks at the mercy of Charbel ({ODDS:149469613:8/11}).
He ran a cracker at Cheltenham and was in the process of serving it right up to Altior when crashing out late on in the Arkle.
If that tumble hasn’t left its mark he will take some beating.
3.40pm Betway Handicap Chase
I wasn’t too taken by Starchitect’s ({ODDS:149469643:7/1}) jumping at Cheltenham and instead will side with Value At Risk ({ODDS:149469671:10/1}).
He missed his engagement at Cheltenham due to a late injury and is another who comes here as a fresh horse.
4.20pm Ryanair Stayers Hurdle
Plenty will be siding with Yanworth ({ODDS:149285382:15/8}) here as he steps back up in trip.
He may well win, but I’m prepared to oppose him with Ballyoptic ({ODDS:149286361:8/1}) who won at this meeting last year.
Things didn’t go to plan in the Stayers’ Hurdle, but I expect him to perform better here back on a flat track.
6.15pm Pinsent Masons Handicap Hurdle
The last race of the three-day meeting is for amateur and conditional jockeys.
Another contest where it is hard to have a strong view, but John Constable would get my vote.
Conor Ring is a good pilot and he has slipped to a competitive mark.
