14:55 AINTREE

Tip 1: SPILLANES TOWER - 1pt win

Best odds of 9/2 available at PricedUp while publishing. 

Jango Baie arrives here in good form after finishing second in the Gold Cup, and on that run alone, he has to be respected. The slight concern though, is how much that run may have taken out of him, and that could leave him a touch vulnerable this time. Impaire Et Passe has a strong record at Aintree and it would be no surprise to see him bounce back.

You can probably forgive his latest run, but whether he truly sees out the full three miles remains a question. With that in mind, it might pay to side with Spillane’s Tower (best price 9/2) for Jimmy Mangan and JP McManus. He still looks a horse with more to offer, and his win in the Cotswold Chase hinted at his true level after a few runs over hurdles prior to that win.

This track should suit him well, and there’s no obvious reason why he won’t be competitive. Tactically, if Paul Townend has to ride Impaire Et Passe to get the trip, then it should mean Spillane’s Tower will still be sat there travelling well turning for home, which is a big plus. We already know he stays, so Impaire Et Passe will have to try and chase him down. I think this race sets up very well for the JP McManus runner, and I wouldn’t be as concerned about the ground as most seem to be. Mark Walsh has had an excellent season, and he could well continue that momentum here at Aintree.

16:40 AINTREE

Tip 2: SANS BRUIT - 1pt win

Best odds of 7/2 at bet365 while publishing.

It’s so hard to get away from Sans Bruit (Best price 7/2) in the Red Rum having won it for the last two seasons. He is only 3lb higher than last year’s win, and it’s clear as day that he has been trained with this one big day in mind. His jumping was seriously good last season, and he won’t mind what the ground does either. It would be a nice to see Harry Cobden bring this one home for Nicholls, and he is the complete box ticker for this race.

4.5
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17:15 AINTREE

Tip 3: TIKTOK CASEY - 1pt win 

Best odds of 12/1 available at BetVictor while publishing.

NAN’S CHOICE - 1pt win

Best odds of 6/1 available at William Hill while publishing.

Bumpers are always a bit of a minefield from a punting perspective, but I do particularly like the profile of two mares in this year’s Grade 2 and I’m happy to side with both. The first is Tiktok Casey (best price 12/1) for Peter Fahey. She brings solid form into the race, having won on debut at Navan before finishing third in the Grade 2 mares’ bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival, beaten just over a length by Moonverin.

That looks strong form in the context of this race, and Irish runners tend to travel particularly well when they come to Aintree. On what she’s shown so far, it’s hard to see her being too far away. If I like her though, I feel I have to back Nan’s Choice (best price 11/2) as well. She also brings strong Irish form, having been beaten on debut at Limerick before improving to win nicely at Gowran, getting the better of Luciole Des Bordes from the Willie Mullins yard.

She looks another who travels strongly through her races, which should stand her in good stead here. Now with Dan Skelton, it’s interesting that they pitch her straight into a race like this on her first start for the yard, and that alone suggests they think plenty of her. I’m hoping one of the pair can get the job done. It’s a big field, but I’m happy to back both win only and take my chance.