Alex Hales has headed up to Carlisle in search of some juice in the ground. Our Will Hayler hopes the trip will pay off.
Recommended bet: Racing Tip of the Day
1pt win Scooter Boy in 3.35 Carlisle at 11/4
With my Grand National portfolio complete (and by that, I mean, there are now only about three horses in the race I haven't covered), I've been looking at other options for my big-race investments.
If you didn't already know, ITV are screening a 'Virtual Grand National' as part of the build-up to the big race on Friday night.
A press release promises "a sensational delivery mechanism" as well as "the most sophisticated algorithms", which is jolly exciting.
More interestingly for me, Paddy Power are betting on it, which is an interesting choice when presumably at least one or two of the modellers have a better idea than the rest of us as to which variables will be carrying the most weight. (Weight, eh? Bet that scuppers The Last Samuri's chance).
I do think that there might be a bit of value in second-guessing them though, particularly as there are each-way terms on the virtual race that offer a degree of appeal too - my hunch is that any horse with a proven record over the fences and on the ground and over the distance has a decent chance of winning this particular 'race' and although I haven't touched him in the market for the actual Grand National, I could see the likes of Saint Are making the virtual frame. Not that I would advocate anybody to be betting on virtual racing when there is so much good, real stuff to enjoy over the next 72 hours, of course.
As the winner of two of the last three Grand Nationals, it's no surprise that Leighton Aspell has picked up a decent spare ride in this year's race in the shape of Lord Windermere.
Aspell heads up earlier than some of his colleagues to the North West today with two rides for Alex Hales at Carlisle, including Scooter Boy in the 3.35.
Hales has had this horse entered up all over the place for a couple of weeks in search of some cut in the ground, and although it's drying out quickly after a couple of warm spring days, there should still be enough juice to keep connections happy this afternoon.
There looks to be plenty of pace in this line-up, which will suit as he wants a thorough test at this trip, and his somewhat lacklustre jumping when first sent over fences has definitely improved in the main.
Aspell has an eyecatching 50% strike-rate (4-from-8) at Carlisle in the last five seasons and I can see him heading on to Aintree with that record improved after today's action.
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Posted at 0910 BST on 04/04/17.
