The Grand National (4.00) is the jewel in the crown of this Saturday’s superb ITV Racing showcase, but there are also two Grade 1 hurdles and some fiercely competitive handicaps to get stuck into.
Long time readers will have fond memories of our selection for the big race, having already had them to thank for an 8/1 payday on the last day of the 2023/24 season. Before that there’s an intriguing each-way longshot and a very backable short-priced favourite to attend to.
ITV Racing Tips – Grand National Day
1.20 Aintree – Maximilian to win (each-way) @ 25/1
1.55 Aintree – Lulamba to win @ 6/5
4.00 Aintree – Minella Cocooner (each-way) @ 14/1
Bet on the latest horse racing odds at Betzone
McCain long-shot can outrun massive price on classy back form
Jeriko Du Reponet and Catch Him Derry, the second and third home in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham, renew hostilities in the William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle (1.05).
Both have leading chances on that form and are among the market leaders, but it could be worth chancing top weight MAXIMILIAN against them at a chunky each-way price.
In 2023 he beat subsequent Albert Bartlett winner Stay Away Fay in a Doncaster Grade 2, before finishing second in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices Chase at this meeting.
Out injured after that until pulled up on his return this February, it’s intriguing that Donald McCain is happy to throw him into competitive waters here. Proven at the trip and two-from-two on good-to-soft ground, he could well outrun his odds if his previous outing has him fit to do himself justice.
Tip: 1.20 Aintree – Maximilian to win (each-way) @ 25/1
Henderson hotpot approaching no brainer territory in weak Grade 1
It’s perhaps surprising that LULAMBA isn’t already shorter than 6/5 after being found a nice opportunity to open his account at the highest level in the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (1.55).
Rated at least 9lbs better than any of his rivals he nonetheless receives a hefty 10lbs weight-for-age allowance on account of him still being a juvenile.
Even if juvenile ratings can occasionally be retrospectively exposed as somewhat inflated when they step outside of their own age group, he should be far enough clear of the opposition to score here. The step up to 2m4f should be no issue given he won over 2m2f on heavy ground in France.
Tip: 1.55 Aintree – Lulamba to win @ 6/5
Mullins can land the National to exasperate Skelton’s title bid again
I Am Maximus’ victory in last year’s Grand National was instrumental in Willie Mullins thwarting Dan Skelton’s hopes of a first British Trainers’ Title.
The 20234 winner is one of six chances the Closutton handler has of repeating the dose this time around but his stablemate MINELLA COCOONER makes even more appeal on the expected going.
His two tries over marathon trips to date have been an excellent third off top weight behind Intense Raffles in last year’s Irish Grand National (3m5f) on heavy ground he would have hated and a victory in the bet365 Chase at Sandown over a half furlong less on good ground that he lapped up.
Good-to-soft going is expected at Aintree on National Day. That should suit him down to the ground and, while he may not be amazingly handicapped on paper, the extra 5f here should bring out more improvement on the evidence of that Sandown success.
