331 TUESDAY: Daqman’s three selections all hit the frame yesterday with him saving the best until last when Init Together (WON 7/4) won the final race on the card.

90 ENTRIES FOR THE GRAND NATIONAL: Top Irish trainers Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott have between them 26 of the 90 entries (28%) – nearly a third – for the April 5 running of the 2025 Grand National at Aintree.

ALL-WEATHER WEDNESDAY: He sticks to the all-weather again on Wednesday but not by choice. The jumping action from both Exeter and Leicester has been called off. Later in the week both Wincanton (tomorrow) and Sandown (Saturday) have announced inspections.


MAX CHANCE OF A DOUBLE

Gordon Elliott 16, Willie Mullins 10. That’s the entries score among 90 named for the Aintree Grand National yesterday.

Star names include Bravemansgame, L’Homme Presse and Royal Pagaille and the improvers list is topped by Intense Raffles, King Turgeon and Mr Vango.

Trying again. Only Tiger Roll (2018 and 2019 for Gordon Elliott) has won the National more than once since Red Rum (1973, 74 and 77).

But last year’s winner, I Am Maximus (Willie Mullins), stands out among those placed in recent Nationals.

Only Vanillier (Gavin Cromwell) returns from the 2023 finish, when he kept on strongly to get within a couple of lengths of the winner, Corach Rambler.

The 2024 placed behind I Am Maximus will all try again: Delta Work (Gordon Elliott), Minella Indo (Henry De Bromhead) and Galvin (Gordon Elliot).

But both Delta Work and Minella Indo are now 12 years old and, with the National course made easier, only Amberleigh House (2004) has scored at that age this century, following on Royal Athlete (1995) among the last 29 winners.

Top trainers. Willie Mullins won it last year (I Am Maximus) 20 years after his Hedgehunter gave Ruby Walsh a National double after Papillon for his father, Ted, in the first National of the 21st century.

The Mullins contingent also includes Capodanno, Nick Rockett and Minella Cocooner. Paul Nicholls (Neptune Collonges 2012) is keen on Kandoo Kid.

Lucinda Russell, who has won the Aintree marathon twice in the last seven seasons – (One For Arthur 2017) and Corach Rambler (2023) – enters Apple Away and Your Own Story for April 5.


THE OUTLAW NAPPED TO FOLLOW UP

⭕ 6.30 Kempton It’s a tough card to navigate at Kempton with an amateur riders handicap followed by two maidens making limited appeal at the front of the meeting.

Hopefully patience will be rewarded with the selections later on.

The Outlaw showed little in three starts last year and as a result has started handicapping off on a mark of 61 for his first two starts. The Ralph Beckett trained runner was only beaten narrowly at Southwell but then romped home at Chelmsford last time out when stepped up to tonight’s one mile trip.

Outsiders filled the frame so I don’t want to get too carried away but he now looks progressive and capable of shrugging off a 6lb rise in the weights in a race that looks a lot easier with the defection of four-timer seeking Whizz By.

Mr Ubiquitous was a course and distance winner in October when he was partnered by Oisin Murphy and ran well for tonight’s pilot Kaiya Fraser when they were second at Wolverhampton last time out.

He’s just a bit unreliable at the start for my liking and can’t afford to giveaway ground off his higher handicap mark.


THERE MAYBE TROUBLE AHEAD

⭕ 7.30 Kempton Trouble Man’s Wolverhampton novice win in December can be upgraded as two in behind have come out again and won since.

Given it was just his second start, further improvement looks likely and he can make a bold bid on his handicap debut off 77. He’s fared reasonably well with a draw in berth 4.

Oakley Boy has done better since the visor was fitted and is up 3lb for his Newcastle win earlier in the month when the winning distances were a nose and a nose! He still looks on the upgrade and looks the biggest danger.


SNEAKY TWO CHANCES

⭕ 8.00 Kempton This looks the most competitive race of the night, judged by the early Betdaq Betting Exchange market and one where I’d like to take a couple against the field at bigger prices.

Sneaky Blinder won nicely over the shorter 1m 3f trip here last time and in a race where recent winning form is in short supply could easily remain competitive off just a 4lb higher mark. He’s had plenty of experience but seems to have benefitted from wind surgery and as such could be well handicapped.

The market will be the best guide to Cornish Storm who hasn’t raced on the flat for 442 days but has historically needed the run after a break.

I prefer The Colorist as my second selection after his much improved effort with a first time visor fitted last time out

DAQMAN’S BETS on Betdaq Betting Exchange

★ 6.30 Kempton (win 10, nap)
BET 12.5pts win THE OULAW

7.30 Kempton (win 10)
BET 3.5pts win TROUBLE MAN

8.00 Kempton (both win 20)
BET 2.0pts win SNEAKY BLINDER
BET 1.6pts win THE COLORIST


What are points? Points facilitate a staking plan, which is the secret to creating profit. One point is whatever you choose: a pound, a euro, or whatever ….

Start with a bank and decide how much you can afford to lose over a period of time, and determine the size of your bets accordingly. Daqman makes this variation every day.

Did you know? DAQMAN’s tips are posted each and every day so he’s always on hand to help with your horse racing betting.


DAQMAN Thurs: Southwell NAP
DAQSTATS Thurs: Southwell NAP
PGA Tour: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am preview/picks
THE ULTRA Thurs: Europa League Preview
bestodds-2024
previous arrow
next arrow