Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Saturday; Not That Fuisse in the 18:20 and Petit Mouchoir in the 15:00 both at Aintree + The Grand National 1,2,3,4. Compare odds and bet.
A maiden after three starts over hurdles Not That Fuisse (6:20) is worth backing each-way in the final race of Aintree’s three-day Grand National meeting.
An impressive bumper winner at Warwick last season, the five-year-old is a strong traveller and ought to relish this big field and likely strong pace. I would be disappointed if he can’t prove better than a mark of 120 in time and, though he is 1lb out of the handicap here, I’m expecting a big run.
Earlier on the card Petit Mouchoir (3:00) really ought to win the Grade 1 Maghull Novices’ Chase for Henry de Bromhead, who has won this race twice since 2013.
Ridden too aggressively in the Arkle last time, if he is ridden with a little more restraint (I’m sure he will be) he will be difficult to peg back on a track that looks sure to suit.
I’m really looking forward to the match-up between Black Op and On The Blind Side in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle. This looks a strong renewal and I’m also hopeful that Lostintranslation will run a big race. He returned to form with an eye-catching run at Cheltenham and the step up in trip around here should suit. He would ideally prefer better ground, so I will be keeping an eye on weather with him in mind.
Saturday’s selections:
3:00 Aintree – Petit Mouchoir; 4/7 bet365
6:20 Aintree – Not That Fuisse; 20/1 bet365
The Grand National 1,2,3,4 – Though he hasn’t shown much in two starts this season, last season’s 9th Pleasant Company is worth backing each-way in this afternoon’s Randox Health Grand National.
Willie Mullins’ 10-year-old really appeared to be enjoying himself last year until a serious error at the 25th fence knocked a bit of stuffing out of him. He is 1lbs lower this year and, if the big fences can reignite the spark, he could easily outrun his big odds.
Stable-mate Total Recall was a faller three out in the Gold Cup, but had earlier looked an ideal Grand National candidate when winning the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury. A winner off a much lower mark over hurdles on his penultimate start, he is another for any shortlist.
On a line through Total Recall, Tony Martin’s Anibale Fly has to be respected as he was upsides at the third last. He went on to finish third in the Gold Cup – form advertised by Might Bite on Thursday – and the pair bring a class angle to the race.
Warriors Tale was another outsider that I had on my shortlist, as he appeals as the type to take to this unique test, but the more it rains the more I worry about his chance of lasting home over this marathon trip.
One horse who will relish deteriorating ground is Seeyouatmidnight who should also get into a nice rhythm. He only qualified to run three weeks ago – a slight concern that his prep run was a little closer than ideal – but he has some high-class form in the book, both over hurdles and earlier in his career as a chaser, and he is relatively lightly-raced for his age.
1. Pleasant Company 33/1 Ladbrokes
2. Total Recall 14/1 Betfair
3. Seeyouatmidnight 14/1 Boylesports
4. Anibale Fly 12/1 bet365
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NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
