Racing Ahead tipster Ben Morgan offers his thoughts on the second day of the Grand National at Aintree.
Check out Betway’s latest Grand National betting markets for all the races across this week
Outsiders to feature in open Mildmay
1.45 – Dancing City probably would have been a strong each way selection at 6/1 but a market move on Thursday afternoon has put him into 11/4 with most firms and 12/5 with Betway and I don’t think there is value in that.
I respect Handstands, especially as he comes here a fresh horse but I do think there are a couple of outsiders who could outrun their odds.
QUAI DE BOURBON was a selection for this column at Cheltenham and he was going ok before unseating in the Brown Advisory and this strong staying type should hold a good chance if he is able to keep Patrick Mullins on board on Friday.
JORDANS is the other big-priced selection after he is seemingly crying out for this step up in trip. His form with Impaire Et Passe was boosted on Thursday and his run at Cheltenham over 2m 4f was encouraging. He could hit the frame at a tasty price.
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Blenkinsop to mop up the pieces
2.20 – This is the most competitive race of the week I think, and I include Saturday’s feature race in that comment.
I could probably make a case for 4 or 5 of these and there are numerous horses who carried my money last time out so I am fully aware this has all the makings of a heartbreaker.
I keep coming back to one horse, however, and that is BLENKINSOP, who seems to have found his mojo again after a long time out with injury.
A progressive hurdler prior to his injuries, the time on the sidelines threatened to take some of his ability away; however his run last time out was more than encouraging as he powered through the line at Uttoxeter just behind two well handicapped rivals.
That looked like the perfect prep run for this and given he is very well handicapped on his best form, I think he could be the answer in this competitive puzzle.
All the love for Romeo
2.55 – I’d really like Tripoli Flyer to drift to an each way price here as I think he would be the most solid bet to have but at 3/1 I don’t see much upside backing him win only when Romeo Coolio is 13/8.
His form is the standout here by some distance and having watched his Supreme run back you can only be impressed by him.
He ran through the line so well despite being up with the pace from early on which suggested he could probably stay further but a positive ride here should see him to equally good effect. If he runs to his rating he will win this.
Jonbon to prove the perfect remedy for Seven Barrows
3.30 – Nicky Henderson and Nico De Boinville will be hoping history doesn’t repeat itself twice in two days as JONBON bids to bounce back from his defeat in the Champion Chase here in today’s Melling Chase.
The longer trip should allow him that extra time to get both sets of legs over the fences which seems to be the consistent problem at Cheltenham over 2 miles.
If he does that then I think we can all see that he is the horse to beat. The engine is definitely there still and connections will want to see it being used to its full capacity on Friday.
Topham test could be Ginny’s Destiny.
4.05 – Having already put up James Du Berlais in my ante post tipping piece for the Racing Ahead mag I feel like I have field covered with my further two selections.
I’m sure GINNY’S DESTINY is going to relish this test as he looks tailor made for it.
A bold jumper who loves this intermediate trip should make a good go of it from the front which again is a big positive given how front runners seem to have such an advantage here.
Paul Nicholls seems to have his team in top form and I expect Ginny to go close here.
I have to also put up LATENIGHTPASS who looked far too big earlier in the week at 33’s but is now more reasonably priced at 16/1.
A mighty run in the Cross Country proved his well being and I expect the drop in trip to prove helpful to him also. Two good chances at good prices with Betway.
Strong staying Califet to improve again
4.40 – CALIFET EN VOL looks set to peak in Friday’s Sefton Novices Hurdle as the step up to 3 miles threatens to bring about further improvement.
His form behind The New Lion looks very good now even though at the time connections would have been disappointed not to have won that day at Newbury.
An impressive win in the Sidney Banks after that confirmed his ability and having been put away for this since I think he could be primed to run his best race yet. He is a strong selection in a competitive race.
Thomas two look the way to go in finale
5.15 – I’m very sweet on both Sam Thomas horses in the last race on Friday at Aintree with LUMP SUM and CELTIC DINO looking primed to run big races.
The former struggled to lump top weight around Sandown last time out in a competitive Imperial Cup but this race wouldn’t be as hot as that and his earlier form in the Betfair Hurdle would give him a huge chance here.
His lighter stablemate looks a more obvious selection as he steps out of novice company for the first time.
The Dovecote form could look quite good by the time this race kicks off if Tripoli Flyer wins the 2m novices hurdle earlier in the day but whatever the result there I do think Dino is well handicapped.
Current odds of 7/1 with Betway look more than acceptable.
