AINTREE GRAND NATIONAL FESTIVAL – DAY 3 (SATURDAY)

13:45 Aintree

The opening race of the final day of the Aintree Festival and Sire Du Berlais looks to be leading the market after his Cheltenham festival win and will be the main danger.

But for an EW price I’m going to go for Mia’s Storm for whatever reason It didn’t seem to work over the fences after a promising start over them (falling in her next two starts over fences) however the switch back to hurdles has seem to have done her confidence a world of good winning the last two races. Mia’s Storm hasn’t been seen on the track since her win in November and Alan King perhaps opted for this race rather than a Cheltenham race. Hopefully will run a big race and most of her best work will come at the end of the race.

MIA’S STORM (E/W)

14:25 Aintree

Not the biggest field in this race but Brewin’upastorm looks a good bet in this race to bounce back from his previous run where he was far from disgraced at the festival. Angels Breath looks to be his biggest threat in the race however I think Angels Breath looks more of a chaser for next season where he will be seen in better light and perhaps one to follow when he goes chasing.

Olly Murphy has had a fantastic term with his horses and I think he would love to top it off with a Grade 1 victory. Brewin’upastorm is one of Olly Murphy’s best horses in his yard and with Richard Johnson on board you know it will be given a solid ride and a run for your money.

BREWIN’UPASTROM (WIN) – NAP

15:00 Aintree

An open race and you could easily make a case for a few of these. Us And Them looks like the one they all have to beat but hasn’t won in a while and seems to find one too good each time finishing 2nd in its last four races.

Lalor looks set to bounce back. Question marks over the ground for Lalor if it comes up soft but he is the only horse in this race that has won over the course so will have that advantage on his side but also that race was won on soft ground last year so the talk that he doesn’t go on soft ground might be a little over exaggerated. He aims to maintain his unbeaten record here in Liverpool.

Hopefully he can put his Festival disappointment behind him and return to the winners enclosure.

LALOR (WIN)

15:40 Aintree

A big competitive field for this Ryanair Stayers Hurdle with a mammoth amount horses set to lineup.

I’m confident Apples Jade will return to winning ways in this race. You can draw a line under his Cheltenham race I just think the course simply does not suit the mare. (As also proven the year before) Apples Jade has won over this course before and I think the long run down the home straight at Aintree will suit her. She is better over three miles having beaten her rivals by over 20 lengths the last time she went this far.

If you’re on the hunt for an outsider in the race William Henry would be my each way selection. An impressive winner at Cheltenham and this extra step up in trip could suit Henderson’s horse.

APPLES JADE (WIN)

WILLIAM HENRY (E/W)

16:20 Aintree

Mister Malarkey and Kildisart look like they will be the front two in the market for this and I’m siding with Mister Malarkey as the selection.

Colin Tizzard may have had a slightly disappointing Cheltenham but usually does well at Aintree in the Spring and when you look at Mister Malarkey’s form he hasn’t done an awful lot wrong this season. Finishing behind Topofthegame & Santini who are talked about as future Gold cup horses and wasn’t disgraced

One interesting jockey booking to note with Mister Malarkey today is Jonjo O’Neill Jr this young conditional jockey takes a handy bit of weight of Mister Malarkey going into the race with his claimer

Jonjo Jr himself is a handy upcoming jockey who has shown this season with his winners that he is one Jockey to keep on the right side off.

MISTER MALARKEY (WIN)

17:15 Aintree – GRAND NATIONAL

Rathvinden Jury Duty Step Back A Toi Phil

18:20 Aintree

The final race of the Aintree Festival after the drama of theGrand National race.

Conditional and amateur rider race the last race of the day and it’s a big field so anything can happen in these types of races. So you may need a little luck in the running.

Chief Justice is an interesting choice for Jamie Codd (one of if not the best amateur jockeys around at the moment) has chosen to pick this horse.

Cheveley Park Stud owners don’t seem to buy bad horses and although perhaps hasn’t shown to much in recent races lost all momentum at Cheltenham last time jumping the 5th last.

Gordon Elliot perhaps has found a more competitive race for Chief Justice and with the booking of Codd on board perhaps can get more of a tune out of this horse.

CHIEF JUSTICE (E/W)

GRAND NATIONAL SELECTIONS TO FOLLOW IN ANOTHER EMAIL