Racing Ahead tipster Ben Morgan offers his thoughts on the opening day of the Grand National at Aintree.
Check out Betway’s latest Grand National betting markets for all the races across this week
Fresh Passe to take all the beating
1.45 – When looking at this race at the 5 day stage I couldn’t believe IMPAIRE ET PASSE was a 5/1 shot with a few firms as I had him marked up as favourite in my book.
The market has since righted itself and he is now the current 2/1 favourite with Betway.
A defeat last time out can be forgiven after he got a long way out of his ground against Ballyburn and the re-opposing Croke Park on ground that would have been far from ideal.
Prior to that he looked like a progressive type over fences and well on his way to achieve further success like he did over hurdles.
If you look at the horses he has been beating and even losing to, he looks a cut above the rest here and I anticipate the intermediate trip around Aintree on good ground to prove somewhere near his optimum conditions.
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Bookies better prepare to put their hands in their pockets
2.20 – Similar to the first race, when looking at this race a few days ago, I found it amazing that PUTURHANDSTOGETHER was priced up at 12/1 with many firms, even with Lulamba and Hello Neighbour in the race.
The Fred Winter winner often runs a big race here and he, in my view, was one of the most impressive Fred Winter winners I have seen so I thought he would go very close here.
The race has since fallen apart and he is now the hot favourite, currently priced up at 6/4 with Betway.
The switch to better ground seemed to be the reason for the improved performance at Cheltenham as he made a mockery of a mark of 129 so he should certainly appreciate today’s conditions.
He travelled like a good horse and put the race to bed like a good horse so wouldn’t have to improve too much to take this but I think he might just step forward again.
Walsh and Tower looked primed for big showing in Bowl
2.55 – The way Mark Walsh likes to ride horses could really suit SPILLANE’S TOWER in today’s Bowl Chase.
I anticipate there to be plenty of pace on here with Ahoy Senor, The Real Whacker and even the favourite Grey Dawning likely to be keen to make this a good test.
Walsh, who likes to take his time on a horse, should be sitting behind this pace, ready to pounce up the straight.
Jimmy Mangan hasn’t overfaced his 7-year-old stable star this season so he comes here a fresh horse and we have seen so often what a difference that makes here at Aintree.
His form earlier in the season with Fact To File and Galopin Des Champs is rock solid and although his King George run blotted his copy book, it is an easy run to forgive but don’t forget he was a strongly backed favourite that day. At 5/2 he looks the bet in this race.
Hill looks set for Merseyside retribution
3.30 – This probably isn’t a betting race for me but I hope CONSTITUTION HILL can bounce back after an unfortunate fall at Cheltenham last time.
In a Champion Hurdle which had as much drama as the past 10 renewals put together, his overstep cost him and his backers what looked like guaranteed glory.
After a mistake at the last in the International on his outing before, he does now have his doubters but some extra schooling sessions should have sharpened his mind and the fall itself could have a positive effect on his jumping as he is such an intelligent horse.
The extra 4f certainly brings Lossiemouth into play here but I think the selection is a cut above her and should show his dominance here.
Drogo looks a solid bet each way in Foxhunters
4.05 – This is probably one of the more competitive renewals of this race that I have seen and the top 4 in the market all are classy performers at this level.
I wouldn’t be surprised if any of them were to win but I’ve sided with MY DROGO at the current prices with Betway who might just have more to offer having been held back for this race.
He should have made up into a classy sort for the Skeltons in his career under rules but injury curtailed his career on more than one occasion.
The cooler waters of hunter chasing seem to have rejuvenated him and he showed that back class that he has at Haydock last time out. Top amateur Will Biddick keeps the ride which has to be an advantage and I expect a big showing here.
Mozzie and Calico shouldn’t be far away in Red Rum
4.40 – I will have two win bets here with MY MATE MOZZIE and CALICO both topping my shortlist.
The former I have backed the last twice so it’s almost silly to desert him now as he encounters a test which arguably will suit him best.
Beaten by one who had a bit in hand at Leopardstown, he seemed to not like the hill at Cheltenham last time out so the flatter test Aintree provides should see some improvement.
This isn’t the strongest renewal so I wouldn’t be worried about his weight. My other selection CALICO has potentially been laid out for this race and he has the class and the form in the book to go close.
Likely to sit in behind the pace I can see him creeping into the race approaching the last and then what happens after will depend if he is as good as he once was. At 10/1 with Betway I’m willing to take a chance.
Kingston could be Queen at Aintree
5.15 – I’m not overly strong on anything here but I find it interesting that KINGSTON QUEEN who has such strong form in the book is as big as 18/1 here.
She has the beating of more fancied horses already and I didn’t think there was much fluke about her victories so far this season.
A tough, hardy mare who should be suited to the track can outrun her odds for sure. One at a bigger price to keep an eye on is QUEEN KATE as Peter Bowen’s tends to send a nice mare to this race.
She did it nicely enough on debut last time and should step forward from that so could spring a surprise at 40/1 with Betway.
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