Listen to Racing...Only Bettor's Aintree Day 3 Preview...
Tips Summary
Please Note: Prices quoted in table below were correct at time of each writer/tipster's column being published on Betting.Betfair.
Aintree Day 3 - Saturday's best bets and insight
12:45, Maghull Novices' Chase - Katie Midwinter: Conti can call the shots
Gordon Elliott-trained Kala Conti shouldn't be discounted in this Grade One contest with only 4lb to find on ratings with favourite Salvator Mundi, in receipt of the 7lb mares' allowance. She has shown a high level of form during her career to date, and has shaped with great promise over fences so far this season winning two from three chase outings.
In her penultimate start, the six-year-old beat subsequent Arkle winner Kargese by 16-lengths in a Grade Two before performing with some credit behind Sixmilebridge at the top level when last seen. She shouldn't be overlooked although needing to find further improvement, and could pose a dangerous threat under Jack Kennedy.
A likeable mare, Kala Conti has often run well at Graded level in the past. Over hurdles, she beat Kargese to Grade Two glory earlier in her career, before finishing fifth at Grade One level to the same rival. She achieved a second-placed finish on two occasions last season, too, to Anzadam and July Flower respectively, therefore cannot be discounted, holding solid claims.
Back Kala Conti to Win 12:45 Aintree
13:20, William Hill Handicap Hurdle - Paul Nicholls: Doyen can run well
He won five on the trot before the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival last month. His best form was at Wincanton and Musselburgh, so he was winning on flat tracks, and I think Aintree will suit him better than Cheltenham. At 135, for what he's done, he probably hasn't got too much left in the tank handicap wise. He will be novice chasing in the autumn. Hopefully he will run very well.
You can back Paul's Absolutely Doyen here
13:55, Mersey Novices' Hurdle - Alan Dudman: Aintree to suit Montemares
The Mersey went to my all-time favourite jumper Tidal Bay back in 2007 and the introduction of the youth upsurges here could give us a future Stayers' Hurdle horse. Honours in this Aintree race could mean rapid advancement into that Cheltenham arena.
Could Montemares be it? Well he was very impressive in the Grade 2 Premier Novices' Hurdle at Kelso in February.
Tom Lacey was beaming afterwards and had targeted the race after his effort in the Challow at Newbury behind No Drama This End. The trainer said of Cheltenham "absolutely not".
Having the 42 days off will help and I can see Aintree suiting his run style.
Back Montemares, E/W 5 Places, in 13:55 at Aintree
14:30, William Hill Handicap Chase - Sam Turner: Fortune to favour the Brave
Brave Fortune bypassed a couple of engagements at Cheltenham and that patience could be vindicated in this handicap.
Trainer Joseph O'Brien has previously stated he is keen to find some nice ground for his seven-year-old and the opportunity presents itself here, while the step up in trip could also induce some improvement for a point-to-point winner who is as yet unexposed over fences.
This race represents a fifth start over the larger obstacles for the selection who was last seen back in January finishing a game second to Rising Dust at Thurles.
A winner over three miles in novice company over hurdles, O'Brien asks the Soldier Of Fortune gelding to stretch out in trip over fences here which shouldn't be an issue given he has a dosage index in keeping with a stayer and he held an entry for the National Hunt Chase at the festival.
He is also entered in the Scottish National next week which suggests connections have no reservations about his stamina now he tackles a deeper race at today's trip and, as one of the least exposed chasers in the field, he might have flown under the radar a little.
Back Brave Fortune, E/W 5 Places, in the 14:30 Aintree
15:05, Liverpool Hurdle - Sam Turner: Honesty the best Policy
Some were disappointed in the effort of Honesty Policy at Cheltenham, but as my press room colleague Dan Barber coined it, this year's Stayers' Hurdle was like an episode of 'Wacky Races' and the return to Aintree could ensure an upturn in fortunes for the selection.
Gordon Elliott's gelding was having just the eighth hurdle start of his life at the festival and he still looks like he is learning on the job a little given he over-raced early on which probably contributed to him fading on the run in.
The son of Jukebox Jury sports a tongue tie for the first time here and the longer Liverpool straight appears to play to his strengths a little more given his performance in the Grade 1 Mersey Hurdle at last year's meetings.
He was produced with a withering run after the final hurdle to overhaul the talented trio Regent's Stroll, Funiculi Funicula and Koktail Divin, a Grade 1 winner on the opening day, and a similarly patient ride could pay dividends here.
Back Honesty Policy to Win 15:05 Aintree
16:00, Randox Grand National - Katie Midwinter: Maximus can regain crown
The 2024 winner of the Grand National, I Am Maximus came close to retaining his crown twelve months ago when beaten two-and-a-half-lengths by stablemate Nick Rockett, who misses out on this year's renewal.
The quicker ground on that occasion may have cost him late on up the run-in but he lost little in defeat and holds leading claims once again from only a 1lb higher mark for Willie Mullins under Paul Townend.
Whilst he faces a stiff task at the weights, he's proven in the race and has plenty in his favour as he bids to regain the prestigious trophy. He's a likeable performer who was able to show his class when second at Grade One level earlier in the campaign, outrunning odds of 50/151.00 to place in the Savills Chase, and should be competitive once again with a favourable trip.
Back I Am Maximus, E/W 6 Places in 16:00 Aintree
16:00, Randox Grand National - Mark Milligan: Johnnywho can follow up
Although there is the usual strong card of supporting races, Saturday's Aintree card is all about one contest and I want to go into the Grand National with a trio of selections on my side.
My top pick is Jonjo & A J O'Neill's Johnnywho, and he proved a revelation on the back of a breathing operation and fitted with cheekpieces in the Ultima at Cheltenham last time.
Johnnywho went through with his effort much better than previously this season in that contest and did well to run hold off the challenge of the fast-finishing favourite Jagwar, with the third and fourth both giving the form further substance.
Jagwar is a horse who has plenty of ability and that Cheltenham run suggest there shouldn't be a great deal between him and Johnny who once more, but his jumping can be less than fluent and that still counts for something around the modified National course.
The selection gets to meet Jagwar on the same terms as at Prestbury Park and very much looks the type to take to the test that this race provides, while he still has unfinished business over marathon trips.
Back Johnnywho, E/W 6 Places, in 16:00 Aintree