Aidan O'Hara has picked out two double figure selections for Monday's Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
5:00 Fairyhouse
5:00 Fairyhouse
This race has been incredibly difficult to pick apart. I've changed my mind a few times and finally come down on 2 I can't rule out.
On a good look at this last night, I thought that Better Times Ahead was one of the more likely winners and I'm surprised he isn't in the top 4-5 in the betting. He has been gradually improving until an unlucky second in the Tyestes at Gowran this year. He was just done in the line by Now is the hour, who went on to finish really well in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham. That form is some of the best in the race. He has also won a recognised trial for this around here this year as well. 22/1 is a fair bit bigger than I would have him at.
My second pick is a bit more out of left field. Sa Majeste has always been a bit of a disappointing horse, but has come here now on a very nice mark, after a decent run last time. He has a few runs last year of higher marks that would give him a right shout here, and my gut is telling me this may be the time he puts it together. 135 with a very good 3lbs claimer on really does give him a decent shout at a huge price. Last year he was 3rd in a good Kim Muir and beat Affordale Fury around here.
Midnite
5:40 Fairyhouse
5:40 Fairyhouse
I'm going to have a small bet on a couple of horses that I expected bigger things from that are turning up here.
Patter Merchant is a horse I was sure would compete in the likes of the National this year. Nothing has went right including the saddle slipping at Cheltenham. I just think this pretty weak race over the trip of his mark could have him right in it.
His novice chase runs earlier this year showed promise enough to be interesting of this mark . We have to forgive a few poor runs, but he is just the type of horse to turn up here and improve
Chosen Witness, is a pure gut feeling selection . He has needed a reduction in mark and needs a weaker race to be competitive. He tends to travel well is his races and probably will here . I just think he will pop up at some stage soon enough. He is a win bet as he just isn't consistent enough to be backing each way .
2:05 Fairyhouse
2:05 Fairyhouse
One of my shortlist horses for the Fred winter Combs, appears here at a decent price. We have to forgive a poor run in a maiden since, but that was a typical slow run maiden on good ground and he got caught out. He will prefer this strongly run race, on softer ground. He already has very good 2 mile handicap form, given a very good run in a 30k handicap at limerick, where he finished best of all . A repeat of that run will have him competitive in this race
He really appeals each way as he is incredibly consistent. He is getting a decent 4 yo allowance as well and it all adds up to a bet at 25/1.
Combs - 1.5 pts ew 25/1 - 6 place paddy/sky/365 - 5 places generally
