11.20am No Grand National defections as top 40 stand their ground
Tony Paley: There were no late withdrawals at the 48-hour declaration stage on Thursday for Saturday’s Grand National, with Lord Windermere still at the head of the weights.
Trained by Jim Culloty, who won the race as a jockey on Bindaree in 2002, Lord Windermere won the Cheltenham Gold Cup last year but has been disappointing since. Culloty also runs Spring Heeled, also a winner at the Cheltenham Festival last season.
In what could be his final ever ride, Tony McCoy partners Jonjo O’Neill’s well-backed favourite Shutthefrontdoor. McCoy has stated that he may well retire on the spot if he won a second National.
Paul Nicholls fields a strong team with Rocky Creek, fifth last year, Unioniste, Mon Parrain and Rebel Rebellion forming the trainer’s team.
Last year’s winner Pineau De Re will be joined by his Dr Richard Newland-trained stablemate Royale Knight, who takes the final place in the field.
Second 12 months ago was Balthazar King, trained by Philip Hobbs, who also runs Chance Du Roy and Gas Line Boy. Alvarado, fourth last year, Al Co and Godsmejudge, the last two winners of the Scottish Grand National, and Cheltenham Festival scorers The Druids Nephew and Cause Of Causes are other leading fancies.
Baileys Concerto, Duke Of Lucca, Raz De Maree and The Package are the four reserves, in that order, needing a late withdrawal before Friday’s 9am deadline.
Today’s best bets, by Greg Wood
There is a well-worn maxim in racing that you should always forgive a horse one bad run, and like every other phrase in betting lore that contains the word “always” – the one about backing the outsider of three springs to mind – it is dubious wisdom at best.
There are some that you should and some that you shouldn’t, and the obvious question before the BetFred Bowl at Aintree this afternoon is whether Silviniaco Conti, the King George winner at Christmas, falls into the former category or the latter. On all known form, he is the best horse in the field, yet for the second year running, he failed to produce his best form in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham last month. Last year, he bounced back to win today’s race quite comfortably. Can he be relied upon to return to his best again?
The market, a little surprisingly perhaps, seems to be of the view that he cannot, and Silviniaco Conti is available at 3-1 this morning, a point behind Holywell, who finished fourth in the Gold Cup.
The fact that Tony McCoy is aboard Holywell may have something to do with his position in the betting, but while Silviniaco Conti was undoubtedly below par last time, he was running at Cheltenham, where he has yet to produce his very best. He was also tugged along a fraction of a stride faster than he would have liked throughout the race as the excellent Coneygree set out to make all, and should find a smaller field at an easier track much more suitable. At 3-1, he is a very fair price to record his third Grade One victory of the campaign, and his third too over this course and distance.
Arctic Fire (3.25) steps up to two-and-a-half miles for the first time in the Aintree Hurdle but looked very much as if the extra distance would suit him when second behind Faugheen in the Champion Hurdle last time, while Twirling Magnet (4.05) may be the one to back in the usual big field for the Foxhunters’ Chase. Jonjo O’Neill’s runner took a while to get the hang of jumping fences but has looked a more solid proposition in his recent starts and – whisper it – the National fences are a little more forgiving these days than was once the case.
Royal Regatta (4.40) did too much too soon last time out but seems sure to go close on this more suitable track, while Taglietelle (5.15) made up plenty of ground from the rear when placed in the Coral Hurdle at Chelteham and should appreciate a step up to three miles today.
Tipping competition, day three
Our winners so far:
Tuesday
Suprise Vendor 13-2
Some Article 20-1
Final Countdown 12-1
Wednesday
Mr Gallivanter 6-1
Deuce Again 16-1
Peace Prize 20-1
And our leader is …
Slicker66 +32
… who found both Deuce Again AND Peace Prize, which was some effort for his first post since October. I shall pay more attention to his next post, expected in late summer. Elveden (+28) is close up but must be aggrieved not to have the lead, having found a 20-1 winner after being joint-top yesterday morning. Waltersobchak (+24) is also on the premises, of course.
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 2.50 Aintree, 4.05 Aintree, 4.40 Aintree.
This week’s prize is a £50 bet on Saturday’s Grand National, kindly offered by William Hill. If, on Friday, you think you may have won, stand by your email as we will need to establish contact quickly in order to arrange your bet.
As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers. If you have not joined in so far this week, you are welcome to do so today, but you will start on -3.
In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
Click here for all the day’s racecards, form, stats and results.
And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
