Paul Ferguson has four selections for us on Saturday from Aintree; on day three of the Grand National Festival 2025. | Free Bets |
The Grand National meeting comes to an end this afternoon and the feature race of the week (and the season, for many) – which takes place at 4pm – can go the way of Iroko (4:00). Locally-trained by Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero, the seven-year-old has twice run well in Grade 1 company at this fixture, last year splitting Inothewayurthinkin and Heart Wood in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase, form which was franked at Cheltenham last month with the winner landing the Gold Cup and the third finishing a clear second in the Ryanair Chase. The trip is an unknown but it looks like stamina is one of his main assets and his whole season has been geared towards arriving at Aintree on this sort of handicap mark. In receipt of 15lbs from last year’s winner, he can land the spoils for JP McManus – who has owned three winners in the past 14 renewals – and jockey, Jonjo O’Neill Jnr, whose father Jonjo Snr won the race as a trainer some 15 years ago.
Earlier on the card, leading juvenile Lulamba (1:55) is fancied to beat his elders in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle over 2m4f. It is an unusual move by Nicky Henderson to run here rather keeping him to his own age group on Thursday, but the trip shouldn’t be an issue and in receipt of a huge 10lbs age-allowance, he will likely be difficult to beat.
Lucinda Russell has twice won the National and although the Kinross-based trainer is without a runner in the ‘big one’ this year, she can enjoy success on the card with recent Cheltenham Festival winner Myretown (2:30 NR). The eight-year-old novice put up a stunning performance to gallop (and jump) his rivals into the ground in the Ultima and a 15lbs rise might not prevent him from completing the Cheltenham-Aintree double. The track here at Aintree really ought to suit his positive run style.
Finally, the concluding Grade 2 bumper looks to be as competitive as ever, but I was hugely impressed in the way Mossy Fen Road (5:35) beat eight rivals at Wetherby on his first start for Harry Derham. There are any number of unexposed types in here, but the vote goes the way of the Flemensfirth five-year-old who should be backed each-way, as there are sure to be enhanced place terms on offer, given the number of runners.
Saturday’s selections:
1:55 Aintree – Lulamba; 10/11 Betfred
2:30 Aintree – Myretown; (Non Runner)
4:00 Aintree – Iroko; 8/1 BoyleSports
5:35 Aintree – Mossy Fen Road; 11/2 Bet365
NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
