Saturday Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets including 80/1 Grand National fancy

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Listen to Racing...Only Bettor's Aintree Day 3 Preview...

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One of the biggest days in the racing calendar, Grand National Day at Aintree attracts the eyes of the world. Many people's earliest racing memories will be a previous renewal of the prestigious steeplechase and mine is Hedgehunter's brilliant success in 2005. 

It's a historic race that has been known to produce an emotional story, fairytale successes, and memorable moments as well as some of the true greats of the game. Red Rum is a name synonymous with Aintree, a true Grand National champion.

I Am Maximus will bid to become the first horse since Ginger McCain's legend to regain his title having finished second to Nick Rockett in last year's renewal as the defending champion. The reigning champion sadly misses out on this year's renewal but Willie Mullins is still represented by a host of chances in an open and thrilling renewal of the race.

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Aintree, 12:45 - Back Kala Conti @ 9/25.50

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.

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Aintree, 13:20 - Back Ikarak E/W @ 16/117.00

Likeable gelding Ikarak put in a brilliant effort at the Cheltenham Festival to finish third to Supremely West in the Pertemps Network Final. He was able to outrun odds of 40/141.00 that day, rallying late on, and could put in another creditable effort from only a 1lb higher mark.

The eight-year-old has been progressive in recent seasons, rising up the weights, generally performing consistently well. He proved in his latest start that he can outrun huge odds to put in a competitive effort, and shouldn't be discounted for the Olly Murphy team.

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Aintree, 13:20 - Back Minella Rescue E/W @ 40/141.00

One of the outsiders of the field, Minella Rescue put in an excellent effort to finish second in the Sefton Novices' Hurdle at this track last year, outrunning odds of 50/151.00 to place on that occasion. He subsequently claimed a handicap success at Uttoxeter when rated 136, and is back on the same mark here, dropped 3lb for a disappointing effort at Cheltenham. 

His latest run may be worth forgiving considering he adopted a wide route and was never in a position to really threaten. He's now back on his last winning mark at a track where he has performed well in the past, which could allow him to return to some form for Gary Hanmer under Ben Jones.

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Aintree, 13:55 - Back Charisma Cat E/W @ 16/117.00

A couple of horses could be worth considering in the Grade One Mersey Novices' Hurdle. The first is Charisma Cat, an impressive winner at Newbury when last seen, who landed Listed success in bumpers last term.

She's a progressive performer over hurdles and, whilst she needs to show further improvement stepping up to this level, could be able to make her presence felt in receipt of the 7lb mares' allowance. Cheekpieces remain on and, having proved her credentials over this trip when last seen, she could be capable of outrunning her odds under Tom Bellamy.

A consistent performer this season, who has achieved form figures of 22121, albeit at a lesser level, the Alan King-trained mare could give a good account of herself and warrants each-way consideration.

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Aintree, 13:55 - Back Came From Nowhere E/W @ 25/126.00

Came From Nowhere is another interesting contender representing Jeremy Scott. He was beaten as the 13/82.63 favourite when last seen at Newbury, but was travelling well before making a mistake late on, beaten by an unexposed, unbeaten rival in Le Frimeur.

Previously, the seven-year-old son of Shirocco had been running consistently well, achieving form figures of 1333211. He had been progressing well, shaping with great potential, and remains unexposed, stepping up to this level. Whilst he needs to prove himself, Came From Nowhere could be capable of making the step up required and may be able to run better than his price suggests.

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The Grand National, 16:00, Aintree - Back I Am Maximus @ 13/27.50

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.

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The Grand National, 16:00, Aintree - Back Iroko E/W @ 10/111.00

Last year's fourth-placed runner Iroko was sent off as the 13/27.50 favourite twelve months ago, putting in a great effort when running on late to make the frame. He's up 5lb this time but has an extra year of experience in his favour which should hold him in good stead as he bids to go a few places better.

His latest run was uncharacteristically disappointing in the Ultima, but he had a reasonable excuse for the below par effort having scoped dirty post-race. He should be able to bounce back and has shown a liking to the race previously, therefore holds a solid each-way chance if able to enjoy a favourable trip around.

Generally consistent and a strong stayer, there's plenty to like about the eight-year-old's chances and he is one to note for the Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero team who are also represented by another live chance in Jagwar.

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The Grand National, 16:00, Aintree - Back Gorgeous Tom E/W @ 28/129.00

Henry de Bromhead-trained Gorgeous Tom is still unexposed over these staying trips and could be well treated from a rating of 151 under Sean Flanagan. He has Grade One level form from his novice chasing career, having been beaten only a length by Croke Park in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse, following a Grade Three success at Cork.

This term, the eight-year-old finished second on his reappearance to Firefox before being sent off at odds of 16/117.00 for a competitive big-field handicap at Newbury, won by Panic Attack, finishing fourth. He was inconvenienced by the standing start that day, one of the slowest away, doing very well to make the frame from far back in the field, shaping as a promising stayer.

A classy type making only his tenth start over fences, there could be further improvement to come from Gorgeous Tom, and he's one to note each-way.

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The Grand National, 16:00, Aintree - Back Amirite E/W @ 80/181.00

Ten-year-old gelding Amirite is on a workable mark of 144 as he bids for a fourth career success in this contest. He's a strong stayer who performed well to finish fourth to Western Fold in the Galway Plate last summer, when rated 2lb higher, and, despite failing to fire in either of his latest two runs, could be capable of bouncing back to form.

Last year at this meeting, the Henry de Bromhead-trained contender finished fourth to Gentleman De Mee in the Topham from a 2lb lower mark. He did well over the National fences that day and could be able to hold his own over this further distance.

The likeable performer has proven his stamina credentials over an extended 3m4f in the past, which bodes well for his capabilities of handling this extra distance, and he's another that makes each-way appeal for Henry de Bromhead.

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Back Minella Rescue (13.20 Aintree) and Iroko (16.00 Aintree) in an each-way 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 Grand National Day is an each-way double consisting of Minella Rescue and Iroko at Aintree. Both horses are featuring in tough, competitive handicaps, the latter in the feature of the meeting, but, with six places available in both races, they warrant consideration at double-figure prices, capable of making the frame.

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Now read Katie's runner-by-runner guide for The Grand National

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