Rachael Blackmore bids to add another Grand National to her glittering CV aboard Minella Times.
The top weight has been well supported as punters pin their hopes on the sportswoman winning big once again. Last month Blackmore added the Gold Cup to her record on A Plus Tard at the Cheltenham Festival.
The horse, trained by Henry de Bromhead, was chased to the line by stablemate Minella Indo. Minella Times hails from the same stable and it was another one-two for them in last year's Aintree showpiece.
Grey mare Snow Leopardess and Gordon Elliott's Delta Work head the opposition this time.
Runners and race-by-race tips for Grand National day at Aintree
1.45 – EFT Construction Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 3m 149y
1 Beauport (IRE) 6 11 12 Nigel Twiston-Davies Bryan & Philippa Burrough Jordan Nailor (3)
2 Third Wind 8 11 10 Hughie Morrison Mouse Hamilton-Fairley Tom O'Brien
3 J'Ai Froid (IRE) v 9 11 7 L J Morgan Mrs K. Bromley Adam Wedge
4 Christopher Wood (IRE) 7 11 6 Venetia Williams Ms Sharon Kinsella Harry Bannister
5 Dans Le Vent (FR) 9 11 5 Evan Williams R J Gambarini Racing Isabel Williams (3)
6 Mill Green 10 11 4 Nicky Henderson Mrs Rita Brown Nico de Boinville
7 Saint d'Oroux (FR) ts 6 11 4 S. R. B. Crawford Northern Ireland Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede
8 Winter Fog (IRE) h 8 11 3 Emmet Mullins Ireland Mr P. Byrne P. Townend
9 Ilikedwayurthinkin (IRE) 8 11 1 Gavin Cromwell Ireland Mr John P. McManus
10 If The Cap Fits (IRE) bl 10 11 1 Harry Fry Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Daryl Jacob
11 Whatsnotoknow (IRE) ts 7 11 0 M. F. Morris Ireland R. A. Scott Darragh O'Keeffe
12 Emitom (IRE) 8 10 13 Warren Greatrex The Spero Partnership Ltd Rachael Blackmore
13 Coeur Serein (IRE) bl 8 10 13 Jonjo O'Neill Andy Ralph Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
14 Whirling Dervish ts, p 7 10 11 J. F. Levins Ireland GGG Partnership Ricky Doyle
15 Remastered ts 9 10 11 David Pipe Brocade Racing Tom Scudamore
16 Serious Charges (IRE) 5 10 11 Anthony Honeyball Potwell Racing Syndicate III Rex Dingle
17 The Cob (IRE) bl 8 10 10 Ben Pauling The Cob Nuts Kielan Woods
18 Flash The Steel (IRE) ts 10 10 10 Dan Skelton Mr John J Reilly Harry Skelton
19 Party Business (IRE) 6 10 10 Ian Williams Eventmasters Racing Charlie Todd (3)
20 Bushypark (IRE) 8 10 10 Philip Kirby Mr P. Kirby Thomas Dowson
21 Master Debonair ts, p 8 10 9 Harry Fry The Gosden Mob Bryony Frost
22 Pounding Poet (IRE) 6 10 6 Tom Lacey Mrs T. P. James Stan Sheppard
NEWSBOY’S VERDICT: MASTER DEBONAIR is weighted to give a bold show at rewarding odds.
The son of Yeats – dam Swincombe Flame landed Kempton Park’s Lanzarote Hurdle in 2012 – made a bright start to his career over hurdles for Colin Tizzard two winters ago, landing a Grade 2 novice event at Ascot in December 2019.
That turned out to be Master Debonair’s most recent success before he embarked on an eight-strong losing streak, during which time he switched yards to be trained by Harry Fry.
But there have been green shoots on his last two starts – the eight-year-old finished a close second at Taunton in January before a respectable third at Wincanton the following month.
My selection, wearing cheekpieces today, is now 20lb below his peak rating and, with this three-mile trip looking within range and his stable going well, Master Debonair can reward each-way support – at the very least.
In a tricky opener, Beauport, Serious Charges and Ilikedwayurthinkin are the most convincing candidates for the podium
2:25 – Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f
1 Captain Conby (IRE) 5 11 4 E. Sheehy Ireland O'Reilly Buller Partnership Kevin Sexton
2 Colonel Mustard (FR) h 7 11 4 Mrs Lorna Fowler Ireland Mrs A.Frost/P.G. Davies/R.H. Fowler Conor Orr
3 Good Risk At All (FR) 6 11 4 Sam Thomas Walters Plant Hire Ltd Sam Twiston-Davies
4 Great Heart'jac (FR) 7 11 4 Fergal O'Brien Mr Lee Craze Paddy Brennan
5 Harbour Lake (IRE) 6 11 4 Alan King Exors of the late Mr Trevor Hemmings Tom Cannon
6 Might I (IRE) 6 11 4 Harry Fry Brian & Sandy Lambert Sean Bowen
7 Nells Son 7 11 4 Nicky Richards Langdale Bloodstock Danny McMenamin
8 North Lodge (IRE) 5 11 4 Alan King McNeill Family & Niall Farrell A. P. Heskin
9 Stage Star (IRE) h 6 11 4 Paul Nicholls Owners Group 044 Harry Cobden
10 Three Stripe Life (IRE) 6 11 4 Gordon Elliott Ireland K Haughey/Laura Haughey/Kieran T Byrne Davy Russell
11 Walking On Air (IRE) 5 11 4 Nicky Henderson Mrs Doreen Tabor Nico de Boinville
12 Elle Est Belle 6 10 11 Dan Skelton Mrs Suzanne Lawrence Harry Skelton
13 Saint Riquier (FR) p 4 10 8 Ian Williams Mr D. W. Fox Tom Scudamore
NEWSBOY'S VERDICT: WALKING ON AIR has a fair gap to bridge as he graduates from a novice hurdle to a Grade 1 – but can prove to the job.
Second in a Kempton Park bumper in March 2021, the Nicky Henderson-trained son of Walk In The Park – dam Refinement was a top-level scorer for Jonjo O’Neill – was then off the course for 305 days.
Walking On Air made his return to the fray – and hurdles debut – over two miles at Newbury in mid-January, being sent off the 5-6 favourite in a field of 12.
And he could hardly have been more impressive in victory, still having a vice-like grip of his bridle when hitting the front after the third-last flight.
By the time he reached the winning post, Walking On Air had put 13 lengths between himself and Hecouldbetheone – and that margin could have been substantially greater had Nico de Boinville so desired.
A leading fancy for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle before Henderson opted to bypass Cheltenham, Walking On Air has hardly scratched beneath the surface and is taken to add to the Seven Barrows stable’s embarrassment of riches in the rookie hurdler category.
Ballymore runner-up Three Stripe Life is the clubhouse leader in terms of form and is feared most, with North Lodge and Elle Est Belle next on the list.
3:00 – Poundland Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 1m 7f 176y
1 Amarillo Sky (IRE) ts 6 11 4 Colin Tizzard J P Romans & Taylor, O'Dwyer Brendan Powell
2 Edwardstone 8 11 4 Alan King Robert Abrey & Ian Thurtle Tom Cannon
3 For Pleasure (IRE) 7 11 4 Alex Hales Premier Plastering (UK) Limited Kielan Woods
4 Fugitif (FR) ts 7 11 4 Richard Hobson Mr Carl Hinchy & Dr Emad Hussain Nick Scholfield
5 Gentleman de Mee (FR) h,ts 6 11 4 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr John P. McManus Mark Walsh
6 Mick Pastor (FR) ts 6 11 4 Paul Nicholls Mr John P. McManus Harry Cobden
7 Third Time Lucki (IRE) 7 11 4 Dan Skelton Mike and Eileen Newbould Harry Skelton
NEWSBOY'S VERDICT: EDWARDSTONE lived up to his status as favourite for the Arkle Challenge Trophy – and is fancied to do the Cheltenham-Aintree double.
After being brought down at Warwick on his seasonal debut in November, Alan King’s Kayf Tara eight-year-old embarked on a sequence of five wins over fences, starting with a seven-length score at the same course 12 days later.
Edwardstone and Tom Cannon then lifted Sandown Park’s top-level Henry VIII Novices’ Chase by 16 lengths before carrying a penalty to victory in Grade 2 events at Kempton Park (Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase) and Warwick (Kingmaker Novices’ Chase) on his next two outings.
The eight-year-old spearheaded the Arkle betting at 5-2 and, having nimbly avoided fourth-fence faller Brave Seneca, he didn’t let his supporters down.
Travelling with purpose and jumping with polish, my choice hit the front at the second-last fence before surging up the hill to beat Gabynako by four and a half lengths.
Edwardstone remains on an upward curve and has yet more to offer, so it’s of little surprise that he’s such a warm order here.
Kingmaker second Third Time Lucki should fight it out with Gentleman De Mee for the minor medals
3.35 – JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m 149y
1 Ashdale Bob (IRE) 7 11 7 Mrs J. Harrington Ireland Diarmuid Horgan Robbie Power
2 Champ (IRE) 10 11 7 Nicky Henderson Mr John P. McManus Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
3 Flooring Porter (IRE) ts 7 11 7 Gavin Cromwell Ireland Flooring Porter Syndicate
4 Koshari (FR) p 10 11 7 D. M. Christie Ireland Mahon, Keenan, O'Toole & Aird Jonathan Moore
5 Roi Mage (FR) 10 11 7 Patrick Griffin Ireland Pryde/Van Der Hoeven/McGladery/Beaumont Darragh O'Keeffe
6 Sire du Berlais (FR) bl,ts 10 11 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland Mr John P. McManus Mark Walsh
7 Thomas Darby (IRE) ts 9 11 7 Olly Murphy Mrs Diana L. Whateley Aidan Coleman
8 Thyme Hill 8 11 7 Philip Hobbs The Englands and Heywoods Tom O'Brien
9 Molly Ollys Wishes ts 8 11 0 Dan Skelton Mr Dean Pugh Harry Skelton
NEWSBOY'S VERDICT: FLOORING PORTER has now settled the debate over the identity of the world’s top staying hurdler – and is a worthy favourite for the meeting’s final Grade 1 test.
In the 2021 Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, Danny Mullins set out to make all the running on the Gavin Cromwell seven-year-old and the 12-1 shot continued his rise through the ranks with a three-and-a-quarter-length defeat of Sire Du Berlais.
Last month, Flooring Porter returned to the Cotswolds to defend his title – top-level grinders Thyme Hill, Paisley Park, Champ, Klassical Dream and Lisnagar Oscar were in opposition – on the back of three defeats.
Mullins once again sent his mount to the head of affairs and Flooring Porter was travelling with conspicuous ease at the third flight from home.
Showing his trademark quirkiness, my selection cocked his jaw as he crossed final obstacle, but ran on willingly on the ascent to the winning post to hold Thyme Hill by two-and-three-quarter lengths – Champ came back in fourth – and spark mayhem in the hallowed winner’s enclosure.
That performance served to raise the bar for the three-mile timber merchants and Flooring Porter is once again expected to go to the front – and stay there.
Thyme Hill, who held Roksana by a neck to lift this race last year, once again rates the principal danger, with Champ and the enigmatic-but-gifted Thomas Darby likely to fight it out for the bronze medal.
4.15 – Betway Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 3m 210y
1 Espoir de Romay (FR) 8 11 12 Kim Bailey The Midgelets David Bass
2 Shan Blue (IRE) 8 11 5 Dan Skelton Mr Colm Donlon Harry Skelton
3 Empire Steel (IRE) 8 11 4 Sandy Thomson Alan Wight Ryan Mania
4 Sam Brown ts 10 11 4 Anthony Honeyball Mr T. C. Frost Aidan Coleman
5 Exelerator Express (FR) ts 8 11 2 Neil Mulholland Walters Plant Hire & Potter Group Sam Twiston-Davies
6 Tea Clipper (IRE) p 7 11 1 Tom Lacey Mr Jerry Hinds & Mr Ashley Head Stan Sheppard
7 Wishing And Hoping (IRE) p 12 11 0 Mel Rowley Mrs Peter Andrews Alex Edwards (3)
8 Commodore (FR) 10 10 13 Venetia Williams Mrs C Watson & Mrs S Graham Charlie Deutsch
9 Oscar Elite (IRE) ts 7 10 11 Colin Tizzard Mrs Mary-Ann Middleton Harry Cobden
10 Adrimel (FR) v,ts 7 10 11 Tom Lacey Lady Bamford & Alice Bamford Tom Bellamy
11 Grumpy Charley 7 10 11 Chris Honour Mr G. Thompson Bryan Carver
12 Espoir de Teillee (FR) ts 10 10 10 Tom George Mr R. S. Brookhouse Tom Scudamore
13 Cap du Nord (FR) p 9 10 6 Christian Williams Mr Glynn Andrew Carroll Jack Tudor
14 Mint Condition p 8 10 6 Jennie Candlish Whites Property Limited Darragh O'Keeffe
15 Scene Not Herd (IRE) 7 10 4 Charlie Longsdon Swanee River Partnership Jonathan Burke
16 The Hollow Ginge (IRE) p 9 10 3 Nigel Twiston-Davies The Ginge Army Jordan Nailor (3)
17 Killer Kane (IRE) ts 7 10 2 Colin Tizzard J P Romans & Taylor, O'Dwyer Brendan Powell
18 Didero Vallis (FR) bl 9 10 1 Venetia Williams Normans, Ramsay, Tufnell & Bishop
NEWSBOY'S VERDICT: OSCAR ELITE ran a fine third over this trip at Cheltenham – and has more to offer.
Beaten at two and a half miles at Cheltenham on his first two attempts in handicaps, Colin Tizzard’s son of Oscar moved up in distance at last month’s National Hunt Festival.
Sent off at 22-1 for the Ultima Handicap Chase – he competed from 4lb out of the weights – Harry Cobden’s mount ran above market expectations with a three-length third to Corach Rambler, with Tea Clipper eight lengths back in fourth and Grumpy Charley pulling up.
The seven-year-old was reported to have bled from the nose that day but is reported at the top of his game by his trainer and a 2lb higher mark here should not stop another good account.
In a wide-open contest – favourite Shan Blue makes little appeal at his current odds – Cap Du Nord, Adrimel and Oscar Elite’s stable-companion Killer Kane are all capable of having a say in proceedings.
5.15 – Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 4m 2f 74y
1 Minella Times (IRE) ts 9 11 10 Mr John P. McManus Henry de Bromhead Ireland Rachael Blackmore
2 Delta Work (FR) ts 9 11 9 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Jack Kennedy
3 School Boy Hours 9 10 5 Mr John P. McManus Noel Meade Sean Flanagan
4 Any Second Now (IRE) bl 10 11 8 Mr John P. McManus T. M. Walsh Ireland Mark Walsh
5 Run Wild Fred (IRE) bl 8 11 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Davy Russell
6 Lostintranslation (IRE) ts, p 10 11 6 Taylor & O'Dwyer Colin Tizzard Harry Cobden
7 Brahma Bull (IRE) p 11 11 6 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland Brian Hayes
8 Burrows Saint (FR) ts 9 11 5 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland P. Townend
9 Mount Ida (IRE) ts, p 8 11 5 KTDA Racing Gordon Elliott Ireland Denis O'Regan
10 Longhouse Poet (IRE) ts 8 11 4 Sean & Bernardine Mulryan Martin Brassil Ireland Darragh O'Keeffe
11 Fiddlerontheroof (IRE) ts 8 11 4 Taylor, Burley & O'Dwyer Colin Tizzard Brendan Powell
12 Two For Gold (IRE) p 9 11 3 May We Never Be Found Out Partnership 2 Kim Bailey David Bass
13 Santini 10 11 2 Mr & Mrs R. Kelvin-Hughes Polly Gundry Nick Scholfield
14 Samcro (IRE) ts 10 11 1 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Sean Bowen
15 Escaria Ten (FR) bl 8 11 1 McNeill Family Gordon Elliott Ireland A. P. Heskin
16 Good Boy Bobby (IRE) 9 10 13 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nigel Twiston-Davies Daryl Jacob
17 Romain De Senam 10 10 5 Judith Wilson David Pipe Philip Armson
18 Coko Beach (FR) bl 7 10 13 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Sean Flanagan
19 De Rasher Counter 10 10 12 Makin' Bacon Partnership Emma Lavelle Adam Wedge
20 Kildisart (IRE) p 10 10 11 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Ben Pauling James Bowen
21 Discorama (FR) ts, p 9 10 11 Andrew Gemmell/Thomas Friel Paul Nolan Ireland B. J. Cooper
22 Top Ville Ben (IRE) h 10 10 11 Harbour Rose Partnership Philip Kirby Thomas Dowson
23 Enjoy d'Allen (FR) bl,ts 8 10 11 Mr John P. McManus Ciaran Murphy Ireland Conor Orr
24 Anibale Fly (FR) ts, p 12 10 11 Mr John P. McManus A. J. Martin Ireland
25 Dingo Dollar (IRE) ts, p 10 10 11 M Warren J Holmes R Kidner & J Wright Sandy Thomson Ryan Mania
26 Freewheelin Dylan (IRE) ts, p 10 10 10 Miss Sheila Mangan Dermot Anthony McLoughlin Ireland Ricky Doyle
27 Class Conti (FR) ts, p 10 10 10 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins Ireland Sam Twiston-Davies
28 Noble Yeats (IRE) p 7 10 10 Mr Robert Waley-Cohen Emmet Mullins Ireland Mr Sam Waley-Cohen
29 Mighty Thunder ts, p 9 10 10 Allson Sparkle Ltd Lucinda Russell Derek Fox
30 Cloth Cap (IRE) ts, p 10 10 10 Exors of the late Mr Trevor Hemmings Jonjo O'Neill Tom Scudamore
31 Snow Leopardess 10 10 9 Andrew Fox-Pitt Charlie Longsdon Aidan Coleman
32 Agusta Gold (IRE) bl,ts 9 10 9 Dr S. P. Fitzgerald W. P. Mullins Ireland Daniel Mullins
33 Commodore 10 10 5 Mrs C Watson & Mrs S Graham Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch
34 Deise Aba (IRE) p 9 10 8 Exors of the late Mr Trevor Hemmings Philip Hobbs Tom O'Brien
35 Blaklion ts 13 10 8 Darren & Annaley Yates Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
36 Poker Party (FR) ts 10 10 8 Robcour Henry de Bromhead Ireland Robbie Power
37 Death Duty (IRE) 11 10 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Jordan Gainford
38 Domaine de L'Isle (FR) ts 9 10 7 Mr L M Power and Mr Ian Hutchins Sean Curran Harry Bannister
39 Eclair Surf (FR) 8 10 6 Dominic Burke & Tim Syder Emma Lavelle Tom Bellamy
40 Fortescue 8 10 6 Mr T. F. F. Nixon Henry Daly Hugh Nugent
NEWSBOY'S VERDICT: Click here for Newsboy's Grand National preview and 1-2-3-4 prediction.
6.20 – Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) 2m 209y
1 Astronomic View 5 11 4 Susan Gardner Mr D. V. Gardner Lucy Gardner
2 Basford (IRE) 5 11 4 Jennie Candlish Brian Verinder & Alan Baxter Darragh O'Keeffe
3 Chianti Classico (IRE) 5 11 4 Kim Bailey Brooke Pilkington David Bass
4 Crambo 5 11 4 Fergal O'Brien Sullivan Bloodstock Ltd & Chris Giles Connor Brace
5 Cruz Control (FR) 5 11 4 Tom Lacey Mr F Green and Mr J Chinn Tom Bellamy
6 Donaire (IRE) ts 6 11 4 Oliver Greenall Ratkatcha Racing Nick Scholfield
7 Ernest Gray (IRE) 5 11 4 Alan King Mr Andy Peake Tom Cannon
8 Henri The Second (FR) 5 11 4 Paul Nicholls Martin Broughton & Friends 7 Harry Cobden
9 Houlanbatordechais (FR) h h5 11 4 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs S. Ricci P. Townend
10 Hullnback ts 5 11 4 Fergal O'Brien We're Having A Mare (WHAM) Paddy Brennan
11 Leave of Absence (FR) 5 11 4 Chris Gordon Mr Richard & Mrs Carol Cheshire Joshua Moore
12 Lookaway (IRE) h 5 11 4 Neil King Peter Beadles Jack Quinlan
13 Prairie Wolf (IRE) 5 11 4 Sue Smith Mr G. R. Orchard Ryan Mania
14 Rath Gaul Boy (IRE) 5 11 4 W. P. Mullins Ireland Sullivan B'Stock Ltd/N Hughes/P Crowley Mr P. W. Mullins
15 Rockinastorm (IRE) 5 11 4 Henry Daly Rocking Horse Racing Tom O'Brien
16 Shomen Uchi (FR) 5 11 4 Sam Thomas Walters Plant Hire Ltd Charlie Deutsch
17 Swapped (FR) 5 11 4 Nicky Henderson Mr A. Speelman & Mr M. Speelman Nico de Boinville
18 Western Zephyr (IRE) 5 11 4 Charlie Longsdon Swanee River Partnership Sean Bowen
19 Blow Your Wad (IRE) 4 10 10 Tom Lacey Mr Jerry Hinds & Mr Ashley Head Stan Sheppard
20 Imperial Bede (FR) 4 10 10 Jonjo O'Neill Mr John P. McManus Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
NEWSBOY'S VERDICT: ERNEST GRAY has already shown a large measure of ability – and there is plenty more where that came from.
The son of Walk In The Park, then in the care of Co Wexford-based Colin Bowe, got his career off to a winning start with a neck margin at Punchestown in March of last year.
On the back of 363 days on the sidelines – Ernest Gray moved stables to join Alan King in the interim – the five-year-old reappeared at Warwick last month.
He motored home by 13 lengths from Everyonesgame, and merits this step up in class.
Willie Mullins’ prodigious bumper record inevitably makes Rath Gaul Boy of interest, while Shomen Uchi and Leave Of Absence are others worth a second look.
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