3 minute read

It's the big day at Aintree and 40 horses will line up in the big Chase. 30 Jumps and a 6900m run separates the gate from the post.

Currently favourite is Aint That A Shame on 8/1 for Henry de Bromhead and Racheal Blackmore, with Racheal being a big favourite with the Liverpool crowd and a bit of a plunge being noted.  Corach Rambler for Lucinda Russell and Derek Fox on 9/1 and on the same quote Delta Works – Gordon Eliott and Keith Donoghue.

They are the only ones on single figures and there may not be much movement in the market near the top with the odds plunge or two on the long shots.

We love Noble Yeats – he won this last year and can he do it again?  He's value on 11/1 in our book – Emmett Mullins has done the training and Sean Bowen will do the riding.  Around the same quote  is Gaillard du Mesnil for Mullins-Townend, who can never be left out.

Then we have our "roughies" which are all on the same quote – 33/1.  They are (in alphabetical order) Lifetime Ammbition, Mr Coffey and Roi Mage.

It is a very hard race so we wish all jockeys and horses the best of luck and come home safe even if you don't win.

The weather in Aintree is forecast to be dry, with occasional glimpses of the sun and temps around the low teens.

On the undercard we start off with a Novices' Chase Gr 1 but only 5 runners with Jonbon an odds-on favourite with a record of 4 wins and a second to date.  Next best is expected to be Notlongtillmay on 5/1.  The Novices' Hurdle has at least got 15 runners with Hermes Allen on top on 7/2 from Dark Raven the Mullins-Townend runner on 4/1 and there are two on 6/1 – Youwearitwell and Irish Point.

The Liverpool Hurdle is also Gr 1 with 10 to run.  Marie's Rock is currently on top for Henderson-de Boinville but we are leaning towards Flooring Porter, who missed out on Cheltenham due to a minor injury and is 9/2.  Home By The Lee is fancied too and is on 5/1.