Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Aintree and Sandown on Saturday. View selections below.
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TWO races over the Grand National fences will provide plenty of thrills and spills at Aintree where GOODTOKNOW (1.30) is worth an each-way interest in the 3m 3f Randox Health Becher Chase.
Kerry Lee’s nine-year-old ploughed through the Hereford mud last season to beat stablemate Mountainous, a previous Welsh Grand National hero, and the ability to handle a deep surface will count for plenty.
He chased home One For Arthur in the 3m 5f Betfred Warwick Classic before running 13th in the big one at Aintree. Blinkers are back on this afternoon.
Blaklion is a worthy favourite after significant midweek support but represents questionable value on this heavy ground.
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ chaser looked the likely Grand National winner crossing the Melling Road but he had been in front a long way out and weakened into fourth. His close second to Bristol De Mai at Wetherby is by far the best form in the race.
CAPTAIN REDBEARD (3.10) is usually a very sound jumper and merits each-way support in the 188bet Grand Sefton Chase.
He finished almost four lengths behind Arctic Gold when they filled the places behind Cyrus Darius at Ayr but enjoys a 10lb pull. That was Captain Redbeard’s first run in 203 days and is entitled to strip a bit sharper.
A small but very select field lines up for the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown and BRAIN POWER (1.45) will be hard to beat on the evidence of his thrilling chasing debut at Kempton.
Nicky Henderson’s gelding jumped fast and accurately to come home alone and he landed the Listed handicap hurdle under a big weight on this card 12 months ago. The anticipated good to soft ground is ideal.
This is much deeper event, with all four of his rivals attaining a high level of form, and it looks one to savour.
DOING FINE (3.30) was beaten a neck by Rocky Creek in last year’s Betfair London National and should be involved in the finish, despite his 11lb higher mark.
His third to Cogry at Cheltenham was a sound effort and this 3m 4f trip will sort out the men from the boys.
Sugar Baron was off the bridle at an early stage at Cheltenham but finished with a rare old rattle to almost grab the spoils. First-time blinkers could well sharpen him up to good effect.
ZUBAYR (2.20) finished a fading fifth to Brain Power in the Listed handicap hurdle 12 months ago and again has to carry top weight of 11st 12lb.
Paul Nicholls employs a 7lb claimer this time round and the rookie rider rode a winner at Wincanton recently.
This year’s renewal doesn’t look as strong on paper and Zubayr will appreciate this better ground after floundering in the mud when well behind London Prize in the Elite Hurdle.
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Tally Ho
Alan
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