Horse Racing Tips: Mark Milligan's best bets in the Grand National

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16:00 Aintree - Back Johnnywho E/W @ 12/113.00

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.

16:00 Aintree - Back Iroko E/W @ 10/111.00

Another I want on side in the National is Jagwar's stable companion Iroko, who I fancied for the race last year and was far from discredited in finishing fourth.

The eight-year-old has had a light campaign geared all around having a second tilt at this contest and was shaping up well prior to blowing out behind Johnnywho at Cheltenham last time.

Having had a breathing operation in the summer, the selection was given a considerate reappearance when second to subsequent King George winner The Jukebox Man at Haydock, certainly ridden with one eye on future targets there.

All the better for that run, Iroko then got off the mark for the season when taking a three-runner affair at Ascot in December, not having to be too hard pressed to beat Firefox by nearly five lengths.

Reported to have scoped dirty after that poor Ultima run behind Johnnywho last time, I've got plenty of faith that Iroko will return to something like the form he showed when making the frame in this last year and that prior experience of this unique course looks sure to be of benefit.

16:00 Aintree - Back Favori De Champdou E/W @ 33/134.00

While Favori De Champdou doesn't really fit the trends profile needed to win the National nowadays, this 11-y-o still retains plenty of enthusiasm for the game and I suspect he'll relish the demands of the National course.

He's also got plenty of experience in big fields, having taken a 28-runner handicap chase at Leopardstown over Christmas before backing that up with a win over the cross-country course at Cheltenham next time.

Gordon Elliott's charge also ran well in the cross-country chase at the Cheltenham Festival, finishing runner-up to Final Orders (who also runs in this) and a repeat of that form will put him right in the mix.

At his age, it's possibly a bit of a stretch to suggest Favori De Champdou can claim the gold medal, but I can't resist a small each-way play on him at a massive price.

Back Salvator Mundi (12:45 Ain) and Honesty Policy (15:05 Ain) in a win double

Betfair is offering Bet £10 Get £10 on Racing Multis each day of the Aintree Grand National Festival, and the multi that makes the most appeal on Saturday is a win double involving Salvator Mundi and Honesty Policy.

Salvator Mundi will come into the Maghull Novices' Chase fresher than most having bypassed Cheltenham, while there should still be plenty more to come from Honesty Policy, who could well benefit from the fitting of a tongue tie in the Liverpool Hurdle.

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