MULLINS’ NATIONAL NINE: When the final field of 34 for the Grand National was declared at 10 a.m (see below), Paul Townend was jockeyed up for I Am Maximus from nine to be saddled by Willie Mullins. Sean Bowen rides Haiti Couleurs, Harry Cobden is on Perceval Legallois.
DAQMAN TODAY: Aintree stats that matter for Thursday and Friday.
TOMORROW: First day of the Grand National meeting.
⭕ THE GRAND NATIONAL FIELD (Aintree, 4.00 Saturday)
1. I Am Maximus
2. Nick Rockett
3. Banbridge
4. Grangeclare West
5. Gerri Colombe
6. Haiti Couleurs
7. Spillane’s Tower
8. Firefox
9. Monty’s Star
10. Spanish Harlem
11. Lecky Watson
12. Champ Kiely
13. Iroko
14. Favori De Champdou
15. Three Card Brag
16. Oscars Brother
17. Mr Vango
18. High Class Hero
19. Stellar Story
20. Beauport
21. Captain Cody
22. Jagwar
23. Perceval Legallois
24. Gorgeous Tom
25. The Real Whacker
26. Quai De Bourbon
27. Answer To Kayf
28. Jordans
29. Final Orders
30. Marble Sands
31. Panic Attack
32. Top Of The Bill
33. Johnnywho
34. Twig
Reserves (in order of getting a run)
Pied Piper
Imperial Saint
Amirite
Ain’t That A Shame
Soul Icon
Hyland
AINTREE: STATS THAT MATTER
TRAINERFORM Nicky Henderson doesn’t win Grand Nationals but he has made up for it on the Thursday (10 strikes) and Friday cards (10 winners again).
He has landed the juvenile hurdle (1.45 Thursday) three times in the decade on tomorrow’s opening day, plus the Aintree Bowl (2.55) twice, Aintree Hurdle (4.05) four times and the bumper (5.15) once.
On Friday, just the one in the opener (1.45) but three in the Mildmay Novices Chase (2.20); then two in each of the Top Novices Hurdle (2.55) and the Melling Chase (3.30) and two in the Sefton Novices Hurdle (4.40).
Willie Mullins is 3-6 in Friday’s Topham Trophy. There are hat-trick bids tomorrow by Willie in the Manifesto (2.20) and in the Aintree Hurdle (4.05) and by Paul Nicholls in the Red Rum Chase (4.40).
LAYS LOGIC Outsiders have scored at 14–1, 16-1, 20-1, 22-1 and 66-1 SP in the Foxhunters (3.30 Thursday) and at 10-1, 12-1 twice, 16-1, 25-1 and 40-1 twice in the hurdle for conditional jockeys (5.15 Friday).
But favourites have failed year on year in the two Thursday novice chases, the Mildmay (4.40) and even the small-field Manifesto (2.20).
Friday is a wipe-out for favourites in the opening handicap hurdle (1.45) and in the Topham Trophy (4.05), with winners at 14-1 (twice), 20-1 (twice), 22-1 and 50-1.
But a favourite backer be, not a layer, in the 2.20 novices’ chase (six out of eight have won) and the 3.30 Melling Chase (five out of the last six favourites have won).
THE SECRET IS OUT
⭕ 3.05 Fontwell today This class 4 handicap might not take much winning with many of the leading contenders being out of form.
It could be a good opportunity for The Secret Pearl who was in good form last autumn and returns after a break. Whilst she was only fifth at Aintree when last seen, it looked a better contest than this and she has solid form at class 4 level.
Lyle View has been off the course for even longer – 429 days since her Southwell win in a lower grade and she has needed the run after a break before.
The Betdaq Betting Exchange market is disputed by Northanger Abbey and Duffry Trixs. The former is up in trip and the latter down in trip but both need to improve considerably on last time out efforts and it’s not often you can say that about the front two in the market.
EAGLE BY A FAIR WAY
⭕ 4.33 Catterick I’m wishing your players plenty of eagles if you are getting involved in the US Masters this week on Betdaq and an aperitif to set up the week might well be Eagles Whistle here.
She’s been in terrific form on the all-weather this season and has given every impression that she will be suited by this step up trip.
Roland Garros hasn’t convinced since wind surgery and a bigger danger might be Hickton who had excuses last time and is better judged on previous form.
RASTNET IS FIRST CLASS
⭕ 7.00 Kempton This looks a match between Club Class and Rastnet and I think the market may have got it wrong.
Club Class heads the betting but has been off the course for 161 days and Rastnet may just enjoy a fitness edge. She finished runner-up to the Hungarian bred Alther Walden at Newcastle last time out. The winner might well be decent and indeed holds an entry for the Chester Cup.
DAQMAN’S BETS
on Betdaq Betting Exchange
3.05 Fontwell (win 10)
BET 1.4pts win THE SECRET PEARL
4.33 Catterick (win 10)
BET 3.3pts win EAGLES WHISTLE
★ 7.00 Kempton (win 10, nap)
BET 3.8pts win RASTNET
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