Ed Chamberlin highlights his idea of the Randox Health Grand National 1-2-3-4-5-6 ahead of the big race at Aintree on Saturday.
1st - Blaklion
Just go back and take another look at that Becher Chase (follow the link for the free video replay) run earlier in the season. I thought he was awesome that day and the decision to change the tactics from last year’s National clearly paid off. I’m slightly concerned over the way he finished so tired at Haydock last time but he’s had plenty of time to recover from that and we know horses can bounce back. I thought he’d be 7/1 favourite by now and I rate him as the standout bet.
2nd - Tiger Roll
Reports from Gordon Elliott’s are that he’s absolutely bouncing after Cheltenham and he won that Cross Country Chase so easily. He’s just a horse I absolutely love to bits and the only reason I’ve not gone for him as the winner is because I’m just ever so slightly concerned over his size. He’s quite a small horse and I think you might know your fate after the first six fences. If it’s another going day and he’s in the mood, then we could be in business again.
3rd - Captain Redbeard
He’s not a fashionable horse as he’s from a relatively small stable but Stuart Coltherd clearly has a progressive stayer on his hands and I like the fact he won his prep race over hurdles. He’s got a new, career-high mark to overcome back over fences but there aren’t that many in the field who are genuinely on a steep upward curve and he could yet be one or two steps ahead of the handicapper.
4th - Virgilio
He’s a very dark one but I must admit now that Sporting Life’s very own Ben Linfoot initially put me onto Dan Skelton’s charge and the more I look, the more I like his claims. He’s just got a fantastic Aintree record, none of which is on the National course, but he clearly loves a flat track and he’s been kept fresh for this since the winter. His record after a break is extremely good and he’s had a wind operation since he was last seen, when the ground looked a lot softer than advertised. If they somehow avoid the forecast scattered showers, expect a bold show from this 100/1 chance.
5th - Lord Windermere
What a story it would be if the former Gold Cup winner could land the National on his third attempt in the race. In reality it looks a bit of a long shot but the romantic in me would love to see him creeping into it on the second circuit and I’d be delighted if he could sneak into the first six.
6th - Houblon Des Obeaux
Useful stayer on his day and the Venetia Williams team have struck form with a vengeance this week. Will handle the testing ground and got round in tenth last year.
