Limerick Lace has been tipped by the At The Races tipster to win the Grand National (Picture: Patrick McCann (Racing Post))
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1 2:20 PM (SA Time) – William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
An eye-catcher when staying on from off the pace at Kempton last month, WEST BALBOA could be primed for a repeat of her impressive success in this contest last year. Only 6lb higher and a winner here over shorter in November, Dan Skelton’s mare is preferred to her hat-trick seeking stablemate Gwennie May Boy and the class-dropping Johnnywho, who makes his handicap debut. Pertemps winner Monmiral is entitled to be thereabouts, along with the improving Honor Grey and Black Bamboo, who should appreciate going back up in trip after a respectable effort in the Coral Cup.
Top Tip: WEST BALBOA (4)
Watch out for: GWENNIE MAY BOY (17)
2 2:55 PM – Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
The Grade 1 winner Caldwell Potter has to be of interest on his debut for these connections, following his 740,000-euros purchase, but he could be vulnerable on his first start for 108 days. With that in mind, marginal preference is for BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD, who should relish this step back up in trip having found Golden Ace too sharp over 2m1f in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month. Jimmy Du Seuil (second) beat Ile Atlantique (third) in the Gallagher but it would be no surprise to see the latter reverse that form, while Staffordshire Knot is next best.
Top Tip: BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD (9)
Watch out for: CALDWELL POTTER (2)
3 3:30 PM – William Hill Handicap Chase (Registered As The Freebooter Handicap Chase) (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
Dan and Harry Skelton teamed up to land this race 12 months ago with Midnight River and they bid to repeat the dose this year with THE KING OF RYHOPE, who still held a chance when making a bad mistake at the last in the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Chase over 3m in February. Still unexposed over this sort of trip, he looks potentially well treated on his return to handicap company and is taken to reverse the form with Kilbeg King, who was ahead of the selection in second at Ascot that day but must concede 3lb to that rival now and subsequently had a hard race in the National Hunt Chase. Crebilly stayed on well for a good second in the Plate at Cheltenham and, although he went up 3lb for that, he should relish this extra yardage. Twig is 4lb higher for also filling the runner-up spot at Prestbury Park last month in the Ultima but that form gives him a big shout.
Top Tip: THE KING OF RYHOPE (9)
Watch out for: CREBILLY (5)
4 43:05 PM – JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
FLOORING PORTER proved Gavin Cromwell’s decision to revert to hurdling completely correct when only Teahupoo stopped him from winning a third Stayers’ Hurdle crown at Cheltenham. The tough-as-teak nine-year-old is sure to give his all again and can exact his revenge on Sire Du Berlais, who had him back in third when proving his 33/1 Stayers’ success was no fluke in this 12 months ago, but could only manage fifth at Prestbury Park this time around. Buddy One surpassed expectations in fourth there, with Crambo a disappointing ninth, although the latter has won here, as well as the Long Walk at Ascot, this campaign so must not be written off. Top-class chasers Hewick and Monkfish add an extra dimension to the race, while Hiddenvalley Lake’s career over fences was aborted after a Navan fall and he bounced back to take the Boyne Hurdle.
Top Tip: FLOORING PORTER (6)
Watch out for: CRAMBO (4)
5 5:00 PM – Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
Last year’s winner Corach Rambler returns to defend his crown after producing a terrific effort to place in the Gold Cup. Officially 3lb well-in, the main concern for his defence would be the combination of a 13lb rise and conditions being more testing than ideal. Irish National winner I Am Maximus and Ultima third Meetingofthewaters head a strong team for Willie Mullins and JP McManus. The former has since won a Grade 1 novice back at Fairyhouse and warmed up with a convincing victory over Vanillier in the Bobbyjo. That being said, while Aintree can bring out the best in quirkier types, it remains to be seen how he handles this experience and his stablemate, winner of the Paddy Power at Leopardstown over Christmas, may prove best of the Mullins contingent. However, it is another McManus contender who has plenty going for her in the shape of LIMERICK LACE. Attempting to become the first mare since Nickel Coin in 1951 to win the race, she arrives having enjoyed a terrific season with confidence sky-high after landing the Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. She qualified to run here when runner-up in the Troytown and it seems significant that her full-brother Inothewayurthinkin improved plenty for stepping up in trip when taking the Kim Muir. Others likely to be popular on the day include Mr Incredible, who appeared unlucky when unseating at the Canal Turn last year, 2022 winner Noble Yeats and Delta Work.
Top Tip: LIMERICK LACE (25)
Watch out for: MEETINGOFTHEWATERS (26)
6 5:00 PM – My Pension Expert Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
FOUND A FIFTY has been a model of consistency since going over fences, being campaigned exclusively in Grade 1 company since a successful chasing debut at Down Royal in November. The Gordon Elliott-trained seven-year-old struck at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and has found only one too strong in both the English and Irish Arkle, as well as the Drinmore. Willie Mullins horses beat him in all three of those races and the all-conquering trainer could provide the main stumbling block again, this time in the shape of Hercule Du Seuil, who has been kept fresh since completing a five-timer at Punchestown in October. Quilixios flopped in the Arkle at Cheltenham but is better than that, while Nickle Back has been a revelation since going over the larger obstacles and trounced Djelo in the Scilly Isles.
Top Tip: FOUND A FIFTY (3)
Watch out for: HERCULE DU SEUIL (4)
7 5:35 PM – Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open NH Flat Race (Grade 2) (GBB Race)
This can go the way of MISTER MEGGIT, who may not have been out of place in the Champion Bumper going by the impressive displays he has put up at both Carlisle and Doncaster. In colours synonymous with this famous track, the son of Shantou looks the one to beat and might prove too classy for comfortable Lingfield scorer Tripoli Flyer, as well as Sorceleur, who wasn’t for catching at Taunton last time out. Not in action since a promising second at Cheltenham in October, Valgrand completes the shortlist.
Top Tip: MISTER MEGGIT (10)
Watch out for: TRIPOLI FLYER (14)
