Grand National Day Fancies

Not too bad a day for us yesterday, with Cyrus Darius winning at 12/1 and Rathlin grabbing 3rd at 28/1, ensuring a modest profit on the day. The big one tomorrow, with 39 runners standing their ground, and it should be as unpredictable as ever. I will go through the race in more detail below, and you will be glad to know I fancy a couple at silly prices. But first up is the Grade 1 Novice Hurdle, and there is an Irish horse in this that really catches the eye.

Race 1

Nichols Canyon and Parlour Games head the betting in this race, but they both come here on the back of a hard race at Cheltenham, finishing 2nd and 3rd behind Windsor Park. I will be giving both of these a wide berth however and will be supporting Sub Lieutenant for Sandra Hughes and Gigginstown. This lad is no doubt seen as a chaser in the making as he is a half brother to Gold Cup hero Lord Windermere. However, he has proven to be no slouch over hurdles, and it will not be a surprise to me if his trainer's patience in skipping Cheltenham is rewarded. He will love the good ground, stamina is assured and at a price of 16/1 looks to represent superb value against the two overbet market leaders.

Selection: Sub Lieutenant 16/1 e/w

Race 2

The one for me in this heat is Henry De Bromheads promising young chaser Sizing Granite, who will be partnered by the excellent Johnny Burke. He has improved hugely this season, and ran out a comfortable winner on his last two starts, claiming the notable scalp of Blood Cotil on the first occasion. Both these wins were on heavy ground, but he is by Milan, and his half brother won twice on firm ground so he should relish underfoot conditions. He looks to be great value at 6/1 and can account for Gods Own in another win for Ireland.

Selection: Sizing Granite 6/1

Race 3

This is all about Cole Harden, who made mincemeat of some of these rivals in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham. He is currently priced up at 11/4, second favourite behind Zarkandar. This has me scratching my head, as I can see no reason why Zarkandar can reverse the form. He is a horse I don't have much time for to be honest, and his attitude has looked suspect on more than one occasion. Cole Harden should be wining this easily if he shows up in the same form as he was in at the festival, and is worth an interest at 11/4. Of the remainder Un Temps Pour Atout looks the most viable alternative if Cole Harden has an off day.

Selections: Cole Harden 11/4, Un Temps Pour Atout (reverse forecast)

Race 4

A pretty unoriginal choice admittedly, but I just can't see past Buywise for this contest. He stayed on very well last time out at Cheltenham, and stepping back up to 3m will definitely suit, the ground will hold no fears, and if Buywise runs his usual solid race I can see him winning this quite easily.

Selection: Buywise 9/4

Race 5 The Grand National

Well where does one start. An absolute nightmare of a race for punters to solve at the best of times, but this years heat seems particularly open. There are a couple that stand out for me.
Night In Milan is a horse that has crept in under the radar to this race. It has been his target for a long time, and as a spectacular jumper it is no surprise that connections have decided to go down the Aintree route. This time last year he absolutely hosed up in the Grimthorpe off a mark of 136 and he races tomorrow off a mark just 10lb higher. He has been kept ticking over this year with a string of consistent displays, and should be well capable of getting involved off his mark once his stamina holds out. He jumps well, likes to be up with the pace and relishes decent ground and at a price of 25/1 he looks worth an each way interest.
Dolatulo is another horse that might outrun his odds in this contest. He has previous experience over the fences, having finished a creditable 8th in the Grand Sefton earlier this year, a run he followed up with an impressive win over 3m+ at Wetherby. He has been kept ticking over with a couple of spins over hurdles since then (trainer thinks variety is key with him) and no doubt he will be cherry ripe for the big one. His trainer thinks 148 is a fair mark, I think he can stay and with a completion already under his belt over these unique fences he can run a big race at 66/1.

Selections: Night In Milan 25/1 e/w Dolatulo 66/1 e/w

Race 6

The Game Changer looks the one to be interested in here, He was fancied to put up a bold show at Cheltenham, but overnight rain scuppered his chance and he finished 8th, but crucially did not have a hard race. Ground conditions will be much more to his liking today, and with young Dempsey claiming a valuable 5lbs this fella should be there or thereabouts at the business end of this competitive contest.

Selection: The Game Changer 10/1 e/w

Race 7

No strong opinion here. Maybe Pomme can run well at a big price for the on fire Nigel Hawke yard.