Saturday’s ITV Racing broadcast is another of the code-crossing programmes common at this time of year, combining National Hunt action from Haydock with a flat card at Musselburgh.
Our focus is on the level, where runners making their first outings since joining the yards of Andrew Balding and David O’Meara catch the eye.
ITV Racing Tips – Grand National Day
1.50 Musselburgh – Wiltshire Lad to win @ 9/2
2.25 Musselburgh – Lord Bertie to win @ 8/1
3.35 Musselburgh – Align The Stars to win @ 6/1
Bet on the latest horse racing odds at Betzone
Form suggests Lad can outrun his odds on first run for Balding
Karl Burke saddled the victor in last year’s Royal Mile Handicap (1.50) and the Yorkshire based trainer sends out both Castle Stuart and Our Mighty Mo in this year’s edition.
The market likes the former, stable number one Clifford Lee rides the longer-priced latter – so far, so confusing. Preference is for Andrew Balding’s WILTSHIRE LAD, who stands out at the prices based on a form line related to the Invited, who looks likely to dispute favouritism with the Burke first string.
Hat-trick seeker Invited, beat Brindavan by a length and half on his most recent outing in March, in receipt of 1lb. The selection beat the same yardstick by a length giving him 2lbs in his final run of last season, yet he looks likely to go off a few points longer in the market.
Tip: Wiltshire Lad to win @ 9/2
Bertie to Lord it over Silver Arrow rivals in first outing for O’Meara
The combination of Jim Crowley, William Haggas and a runner in the colours of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum summons memories of countless classy runners and those associations converge in the shape of Waleefy, likely favourite for the Silver Arrow Handicap (2.25).
Beaten just three quarters of a length by subsequent Ayr Gold Cup winner Lethal Levi in August, he has some strong form to add some substance to his price and should have improved from three to four.
However, he was also beaten into silver medal position by the re-opposing LORD BERTIE, who lowered his colours at Ascot last September. The selection is only 2lbs worse off with the favourite for that victory.
Transferred from Jane Chapple-Hyam to the yard of David O’Meara, a trained renowned for improving horses he inherits, over the winter, he’s a nice price to confirm his superiority.
Tip: 2.25 Musselburgh – Lord Bertie to win @ 8/1
Trip looks right for Align to Star against rivals wanting further
Many runners contesting the Virgin Bet Queen’s Cup (3.35), give the impression they’d prefer further than the 1m 6f trip, including likely favourite Wild Waves, who was outpaced from 2f out in last year’s St Leger.
Likewise course specialist Wise Eagle, who has won four of his five outings at Musselburgh but finished 17th on the only one of his last six races contested over less than one 1m 7½f.
The same can’t be said for ALIGN THE STARS. Charlie Johnston’s gelding has won two of his three runs at this trip and finished ¾ of a length adrift in Listed company on his only other try at the distance when likely in need of the run on his seasonal comeback.
Down marginally in class he could strike against slower horses.
