Grand National Betting / Timeform / 03 April 2009 / Leave a comment

Timeform look ahead to the big one at Aintree as well as the rest of the weekend's racing...

Undoubtedly the highlight of this weekend's action is the John Smith's Grand National.

Last year's winner Comply or Die will bid to become the first horse to win back-to-back nationals since the great Red Rum. Among those who will stand in his way are, likely market-leader My Will for the irresistible Nicholls/Walsh combination, whilst 'The Champ' Tony McCoy, will try to break his Grand National duck with the well fancied Butlers Cabin.

Lurking near the bottom end of the weights, Rambling Minster can't be discounted as he tries to complete a hat-trick of wins whilst another one of Nicholls' runners, Big Fella Thanks, goes there with a very strong chance, although his inexperience is a concern. At a big price, Battlecry is one who could run better than his market standing would suggest.

There are some strong supporting races on the card and the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle looks the pick of them. Champion Hurdle runner-up Celestial Halo will bid to go one better but he faces stiff opposition in the form of Catch Me and Al Eile, the latter seeking a fourth consecutive win in the race. Both bypassed Cheltenham and come into this race as relatively fresh horses, with Catch Me perhaps just looking the stronger. Of the others, Fiveforthree shouldn't be discounted, and nor should Snap Tie.

Kalahari King was a fast-finishing second in the Arkle and seeks compensation in the Maghull Novices Chase. It will take an improved performance from one of his opponents if he is to be denied. He is likely to find early Arkle faller Tatenen as his main competitor.

The opening race on the card, The Mersey Novices Hurdle, is full of promising types, and it looks as though it will be fought out by Cape Tribulation and Copper Bleu, both of whom ran creditably at Cheltenham, the latter trying three miles for the first time.

There is also racing at Lingfield, Newcastle, Chepstow and Wolverhampton. Lingfield host a valuable three-year-old handicap where Mark Johnston's Cry of Freedom can be expected to go close whilst Newcastle's feature handicap sees Richard Fahey's Mister Hardy bid to follow up his impressive six-length rout last Sunday.

The Curragh host an intriguing Sunday Card with two listed races and a Grade 3 event. John Oxx's Kargali looks like the type to do better as a four-year-old and will go close in the 3.45 whilst Aidan O'Brien's Poet should also go very close in the 4.15 as he takes on Irish Lincolnshire winner Pollen.

There is also Sunday racing from Market Rasen, Southwell, Hexham and Limerick. Rustarix should be able to continue his good run over fences in the 3.30 at Market Rasen whilst Joker's Legacy bids for a hat-trick in the 3.40 at Southwell. Elzahann should take the 4.20 at Hexham whilst Limerick stage a valuable Grade 2 novice chase where Oscar Time should be thereabouts.