Road to Cheltenham is currently 6.5pts up through the Aintree festival. Find his Grand National day picks here.
The eyes of the world will be on Aintree for the Grand National on Saturday afternoon but there is lots of action to get stuck into ahead of the feature. The opening race on the card gets underway at 12.45pm and the atmosphere will build throughout the day.
Without further ado, it’s time to look at Saturday’s action and I’ve got four selections for you – including one in the big race. So let’s get down to business, starting with an Olly Murphy runner in the big handicap hurdle on the card.
13:20 Aintree - William Hill Handicap Hurdle
The step up in trip should suit HOLD THE SERVE and Olly Murphy’s gelding is a likeable, progressive type. He wasn’t stopping when winning over 2m5f at Kempton and he quite clearly enjoys a sharp, flat track.
I’d imagine connections have had this race in mind since his success in February and he seems very uncomplicated. He can be held up and he can take a lead; he’s versatile and that is a big positive to his chances in a big spring festival handicap.
A minor concern would be that three victories over hurdles have come at right-handed tracks but it wouldn’t put me off entirely. He didn’t run his race at Cheltenham back in November and a left-handed track like Aintree could be more suited to his skillset.
Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle
13:55 Aintree
SOLDIER REEVES (13/2, 0.5pts E/W - Four Places)
I was hugely taken with the run of SOLDIER REEVES at Cheltenham last month and I wasn’t surprised to see him entered in another Grade 1. He’s won just one of his five outings under rules but Aintree should be right up his street.
The long straight should allow Harry Skelton to give him plenty of cover before delivering his challenge late in the day, and I’d be hopeful that 2m4f on a flat track would bring out the best in him. Hopefully he is a little closer to the pace on Saturday.
He has a bright future ahead – whatever happens this weekend. He could still have a bit of juice in his BHA mark of 146 so I’m assuming connections are using this run to try and figure out if they have a genuine Grade 1 horse on their hands or not.
Kwiff
Jet2 Liverpool Hurdle
15:05 Aintree
HONESTY POLICY (11/4, 1pt WIN)
I’m expecting a big run from HONESTY POLICY on Saturday afternoon and this looks an excellent opportunity for him to add another Grade 1 to his record. Gordon Elliott had a brace on Thursday and the yard appears to be in good form this week.
He will enjoy the ground – particularly if the rain stays away. Honesty Policy is a horse on my radar for the 2027 Stayers Hurdle and I’d be shocked if he falls short in this renewal, with most of his rivals preferring some cut in the surface.
The JP McManus horse ticks plenty of boxes and he ran well in the Stayers Hurdle – considering it was only his seventh start over hurdles. I have a soft spot for Air Of Entitlement and would like to see her go well but Honesty Policy look a tough nut to crack.
Randox Grand National Chase
16:00 Aintree
BANBRIDGE (40/1, 0.5pts E/W – 6 places)
With the latest forecast suggesting that the rain will stay away, I’m giving BANBRIDGE a squeak of giving Joseph O’Brien a first Grand National winner. He’s won three Grade 1 races over fences and he has the class to go close in the modern version of this race.
The big question everything is asking – will Banbridge stay the trip? Ultimately, we won’t know until Saturday afternoon but if he does then I’d expect him to be competitive. And at 40/1 for a horse with his sort of profile, I think he’s worth a punt.
He was third behind Heart Wood in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in March and the immediate feeling was that he’d benefit from stepping back up in trip. Anything can happen in a Grand National and I’m willing to give Banbridge a go.
