It’s day three of the Aintree Grand National festival and that only means only thing - the big one is coming up shortly.
The race goes off at 17:15 and we’ve profiled a couple of ones we like towards the top of the field for those who like to keep things simple, as well as a couple of flights for the dart throwers out there.
A smart 8-year-old who won the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown in December from Ucello Conti.
His staying-on third in the Gold Cup last time reads well and suggests he will improve for the step up in trip.
He’s technically well-in at the handicap off the back of that Cheltenham run and has Barry Geraghty aboard.
Seeyouatmidnight (12/1)
High-class novice chaser who beat Blaklion and Bristol de Mai in that sphere. His Scottish Grand National third from 2016 proves his stamina and that will stand for a lot here.
He spent a year off the track with injury and breathing issues before coming third on Newbury blow latest. That should have third the cobwebs off.
Having been primed for this by Sandy Thomson he can go very close to winning for new owners Cheveley Park Stud.
A venerable old boy at 13 who’s won Cork and Welsh Nationals in his time.
As a stout stayer with experience in this sphere and could plug on into a place quite easily if getting round safe.
Gavin Cromwell and Robbie Power are a combination to be reckoned with and the horse will love the slog that this will likely descend into.
Pleasant Company (33/1)
The Mullins’ runner was sent off at 11/1 for this last year and all was going swimmingly before he stumbled over the second Valentines.
He still managed to finish ninth while fading back but that knocked the stuffing out of him. He's been lightly campaigned since and can available at four times the price this time around and can outrun those odds with ease.
