A reminder of who Andy Holding and Steve Ryder have backed ante-post for the Aintree Grand National this weekend.
The £1 million race at Aintree is now just over 24 hours away. Who have oddschecker experts Andy Holding and Steve Ryder already tipped ante-post for the 2024 Grand National?
Click here to read our complete runners and riders guide for the race.
Andy Holding Grand National Tips
Andy Holding’s two ante-post tips for the 2024 Grand National were posted here on Tuesday 26th March advising stakes on best prices at the time of publishing.
The first of the raiders to catch the eye is PANDA BOY, whose connections will have no doubt had quite a few sleepless nights between when the weights came out a month ago and now, praying that many above him drop out (originally number 53 on the card).
Having many similar qualities to Martin Brassil’s previous winner Numbersixvalverde, being well versed to running in big-field handicaps, his effort in this season’s Paddy Power Chase lent itself to the view he has a big pot in his locker at some stage in his career and that’s not the first time he’s acquitted himself with credit in a long-distance chase.
Third in the same race at Leopardstown the previous campaign, he also went on to run a blinder when fifth in in a quality renewal of the Irish Grand National in the kind of test Numbersixvalverde, Rule The World and Minella Times all contested before going on to triumph at Aintree.
Catching the eye with the way he finished off his race in a competitive but slowly run handicap hurdle at the Dublin venue last time, the eight-year-old heads to Aintree without another run needed. With the strong possibility he will go off close to being favourite nearer the time, he makes plenty of appeal at his current odds. He just needs one more to exit stage left at time of writing.
Advised Bet: Panda Boy – 1pt Win @ 12/1
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MAHLER MISSION is another who has a profile to suggest he should go well in the 4m2f marathon, and he is also worth a few quid to back up that view.
A lightly-raced second season novice – a category which has produced many previous winners of this great race – the son of Mahler has already proven his suitability to a race of this nature with his performance at Newbury when last seen and if it wasn’t for the revitalised and ill-fated Datsalrightgino, he would have beaten a field of top-class handicap chasers with a bit to spare.
Unlucky to capsize at the notorious second from home in last season’s National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham when nicely clear of Gaillard Du Mesnil - who went on to run an honourable race at Aintree - connections have interestingly been steadfast in wanting to keep the eight-year-old fresh for his date with destiny.
Even though that policy hasn’t always been the most fruitful approach in recent times, trust in his shrewd handler to do all the necessary work at home is good enough for this writer.
Of the rest, we know I Am Maximus has the stamina for the demands of the National but whether his jumping holds up under the test is open to debate, while Vanillier will need to be ridden a good deal closer to the pace if he is to go one place better than last year.
Shrewd owner Paul Byrne sold Noble Yeats on the eve of his victory in the great race two years ago and he has two possible big players set to run in his famous all blue colours in the shape of Meetingofthewaters and Mr Incredible.
The former ran a nice trial for the National in the Ultima at the Cheltenham festival and that effort confirmed his suitability to competing at a high level in big-field handicaps, while the latter was still in contention and going well when unseating rider after the Canal Turn second time around last year. His effort in the Midlands National recently should put him spot on for a repeat bid.
Advised Bet: Mahler Mission – 1pt Win @ 16/1
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Steve Ryder Grand National Tips
Steve Ryder’s ante-post selection for the 2024 Grand National was posted here on Tuesday 12th March advising a stake on best price at the time of publishing.
John McConnell looks set to saddle his first Aintree Grand National runner this year and MAHLER MISSION comes into the race having been lightly campaigned this season.
The eight-year-old finished 2nd in the Grade 2 Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan last season before falling when five lengths clear at the 2nd last fence in the National Hunt Chase last season at the Cheltenham Festival. The eventual winner that day Gaillard Du Mesnil went on to finish 3rd in the Grand National last season off a mark of 155 proving that looked strong form.
Mahler Misson finished 2nd to Thunder Rock in the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase on his reappearance but that was over only 2m4f and that rival has since boosted the form winning the Premier Chase at Kelso just over a week ago.
He looked the most likely winner of the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in December where he was beaten by the ill-fated Datsalrightgino but it is worth noting that he lost both front shoes that day and did finish 6 ½ lengths clear of Monbeg Genius.
John McConnell has stated that he may run over hurdles prior to the Grand National so don’t be concerned to see him run poorly in that as this will have been his main target since the December 2nd. He is a fantastic jumper, will race prominently and can go on any ground so he looks to hold a fantastic chance in the Grand National this year off a mark of 158.
