Lossiemouth spearheads our star columnist's team for the opening day of the Randox Grand National Festival.
13:45 Impaire Et Passe
He missed Cheltenham and we are putting cheekpieces on him here. I think they will help him, he’s been lazy enough in his races. I’m happy enough with that and he seems in good form.
14:20 Murcia
Paul Townend has elected to ride her as he thinks the ground will suit her. She only has 10st 9lb to carry and ran a good race in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham last time.
14:20 Willy De Houelle
He’s been disappointing so we can only hope for the best. He has to improve a lot to get involved but we’ll see what happens under Rachael Blackmore.
14:55 Embassy Gardens
Paul went for this one and I think both the ground and the trip will suit him. He has his chance. He’ll love this track.
14:55 Gaelic Warrior
Patrick takes the ride. He’s a horse who just hasn’t hit the heights we expected him to this season so we’re hoping for rather than expecting a big run going up to three miles. It’s a trip he won over as a novice hurdler and while it’s a tough race, he needs to get back out on the track. If he doesn’t fire this time, we might put him away for Punchestown.
15:30 Lossiemouth
She won very well in Cheltenham, and I think over this trip and on this ground she has a lot of things in her favour this time. She goes there with a big chance.
16:05 Annamix
He was third in the race last year and loves the track and the spring ground but he’s 12 now. He might possibly still be one for each-way punters though.
16:40 Hunters Yarn
He has top weight and it’s going to be difficult for him and handicap chases – bar the Grand National – don’t seem to be the forte for the Closutton camp but we’ll hope for the best.
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