Grand National Tips

The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle is always high on my punting list as my identikit runner for the race usually is a lightly-raced Irish selection stepping out of novice company with a touch of graded form. Gordon Elliott is usually the one, and out of his five, Sa Fureur at 11/1 will do for me.

The 16s would have been better, but just after 8:20am, all of the 16/1 had gone.

Also, it is one of the best each-way races for punters of the festival and we have a huge seven places too on the Sportsbook as one of the Extra Place Specials.

Sa Fureur landed a fairly weak Grade 3 at Thurles when last seen in February, however his two successes at Punchestown shed more of a light on his chances over today's trip.

He overcame a fairly sedate gallop in one of the wins by travelling well, and his 5L win at the turn of the year highlighted what a no-nonsense horse he is to boot. He jumps fairly well, looks as if he'll get a trip and he acts in soft.

I like his mark of 137, and Elliott has won this race twice in recent seasons.

Remember if you are playing each-way, you can play two to place in the same race using multiples.

Back Sa Fureur in the 14:50 - Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle

11/1

Diego the pick from Mullins dreamy ten

Back Western Diego @ EW @ 10/1 in the 17:30 - Weatherbys Champion Bumper

No. 17

Western Diego (Ire)

Trainer: W. P. Mullins, Ireland
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Age: 6
Weight: 11st 7lbs
OR: -

Willie Mullins is only left with 10 runners in the Champion Bumper, although rather ironically, the one I backed ante-post in Ballyburn was not given an entry - despite Mullins saying after his win he had booked his ticket.

I tend to look for a strong staying type on this, and Western Diego certainly fills my requirements, but then you could level that at most of Mullins' merry band. With so many in the race, it's like Proust and all his madeleines.

Back Western Diego in the 17:30 - Weatherbys Champion Bumper

10/1

Western Diego won a PTP by 5L last winter before going through the ring at the Cheltenham Sales for 125k and that proved money well spent after his demolition job when winning by 10L on his bumper debut at Naas.

He travelled ever so impressively and never came off the bridle, yet he'll stay well down the line. He has soft ground form and Rachael Blackmore rides for our each-way play.

Blackmore has given her verdict on his chances with her preview blog.