Aintree - 6th April 2013 Grand National Day

Spring usually transpires over these three days in April when the green grass of Aintree racecourse with its lines mowed into the track, the fences preped with birch and the grandstand filled to the rafters is the nearing of the end for our beloved jump season. Consequently, I have missed my blog like a turtle without his shell for the last month or so and with the National Hunts showpiece taking place tomorrow afternoon, I at least owed my readers a chance to win a little bit of sterling for the summer holiday your looking to book. I recently travelled back from Dubai and witnessed some truly breathtaking racing at the Dubai World Cup night at Meydan an experience I will never forget. I urge any racing fan to go at least once in their lifetime. On with tomorrows card... 13.45pm Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 4f A competitive novices hurdle to start the card tomorrow and EDUARD the Nicky Richards trained Morozov gelding has an excellent chance here. He is potentially the most progressive in the field, he'll enjoy the quicker ground and ran a very credible race last time out losing only by three quarters of length on ground that didnt suit. EDUARD has other excellent form lines on offer when finishing to the highly progressive and classy Melodic Rendezvous and with only six starts to his name he arrives fresh and will be in with an excellent shout here. 14.15pm Novices Chase (Grade 1) 2m OVERTURN is without question the class pick here, he's rated joint top highest in this race and that's because Bally Green ran so well in the Arkle finishing second to Simonsig by 2 and a quarter lengths, a lifetimes best. However, Bally Green has been flattered by his current mark and being raised 11lbs in the handicap is no mean feet here. OVERTURN will always be a horse I adore, this dual purpose athlete loves to front run, he's proved his ability over fences even though he is a nine year old. He will be suited by the ground which is far more his preference than his last run at Cheltenham in the Arkle, a great pacey, athletic type who will enjoy this track. Without question the one to beat. 14.50pm Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m 110y An absolute belter of a race we have a mix bag of old and new, progressive and seasoned indivduals who will take all the beating. I for one am looking forward to this renewal where 13 go to post and at least six of those have a chance. I'm a firm believer in that AFRICAN GOLD next year will be a phenomenal horse to follow and I can see him then progressing over fences in time. However, for now he still has quite a bit to find on some of these but is still worth an each way bet if he goes off at around the 14/1 mark. The other thing to note will be how well At Fishers Cross performs today as that may enhance the form even further. The ground will suit him and if it's run at a good clip I'm certain he'll be in with a chance even at the very tender age of 5, he's unexposed and has already shown what he's capable of. He oozes a bit of class even for a novice. Final thing to add, I really am unsure regarding horses who ran in the World Hurdle, to my mind it was ran at a strange pace, not convinced Solwhit on good ground will get the 3 miles and looks like he's to go off favourite. 15.25pm Handicap Chase 3m 1f (Listed) This is an excellent supporting race before the big one takes centre stage. Philip Hobbs won this race in 2010 with From Dawn to Dusk owned by Mr Lloyd Baker and he also owns PLANET OF SOUND who ran a blinder in the Grand National a year ago only to find the stamina a little short with still a mile to go. This horse adores a sounder surface and comes here fresh even though he ran in the JLT Handicap at Cheltenham he has only had three starts to date this season and ran very well on heavy ground at Cheltenham the time before. PLANET OF SOUND is a solid, consistent jumper and can travel extremely well in his races, if he's in the mood for this on a trip and ground that will suit, I see him in with an excellent chance. 16.15pm John Smiths Grand National (Grade 3 Handicap) The race of a nation, where all eyes will be watching and when the once a year gambler has to walk into a high street bookmakers with not a clue of how to write the selection down. Where birth names and colours play an integral part in the selection process, not a bad thing really as it's luck which can deal the best or worst hand. My first selection goes to RARE BOB he jumped the first five fences excellently last year until he was brought down by another horse. The fact is that this would be a fairytale for both trainer and jockey who have had a tremendous season, the jockey Bryan Cooper is the next big thing and if you watched the way Ted Walsh expressed his belief in him they he really is on the way up to the top, a young but excellent horseman who has an unrivalled clock in his head for such a young man. RARE BOB is trained by Dessie Hughes and he has his yard in excellent shape going into this race, the horse is weighted lightly and has been dropped a further 6lbs then when he lined up in this race last year. Of course if your names Bob you maybe inclined to fancy this one anyway but with his lightweight, jockey and the fact that he seems extremely well handicapped I'm siding with RARE BOB at an each way price. QUEL ESPRIT is my second selection. This french bred grey is an excellent jumper and is a consistent type who will give his all in a race. He just hasn't quite produced it at the highest level but has ran against some of the best horses in training. After only one run this season, the Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins has had his eyes set on this race for some time and although he is probably carrying a little too much weight he has a bit of class about him and coupled with his jumping I'm certin he'll get a clear round of jumping in and could be in the mix at the finish. My final selection goes to SAINT ARE he is unexposed and lines up at the tender age of 7 but he bloody loves AIntree and quicker ground. Again, he is lightly weighted and is handicapped on a fair mark. He won at this meeting twelve months ago over the extended 3 mile trip and if his jumping can hold up than at a big price I see him definitely having a chance. My only concern would be his jumping. At 50/1 plus he is worth an each way punt. Good Luck if your having a punt!