1.45 – EFT Systems Handicap Hurdle
22 runners tackle this 3-mile handicap and last-time-out winners J’Al Froid and Whirling Dervish must overcome a 13lb rise in the ratings. However, the sole Irish-raider Whirling Dervish was rated in the 90s on the flat and might relish a quickly run race on decent ground.
Tea Clipper is just 1lb higher than when third in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, and Tom Lacey’s 6-year-old should relish the quick ground and the longer trip. But Reserve Tank gets the vote. This Grade 1 winner steps into handicap company for the first time with a first-time tongue-tie added. He’s already proven he handles Aintree and classier types have won three of the last five editions.
14.25 – Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle
The likes of Lucky One and Minella Dream need to take another step forward, but that’s possible. The Dreal Deal bid for a seven-timer after winning four hurdle races and two flat races, but the form of his races has yet to be boosted significantly.
Ballyadam must be feared, as he managed to finish second in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, despite not jumping well. He should be suited by the step-up in trip on good ground, but the third in the Supreme let the form down on Friday at Aintree.
A horse called Do Your Job finished in front of that horse at Aintree, and he had earlier finished 9-lengths behind My Drogo at Kelso. My Drogo goes for a four-timer and, after only getting on top late on over shorter trips, he’s fancied to relish the step-up in distance.
15:00 – Doom Bar Maghull Novices’ Chase
Shiskin is as low as 6/4 for the 2022 Champion Chase and anything but a resounding victory in this Grade 1 will be a major disappointment. But at prohibitive odds of around 1/6, it’s hard to see anyone but those with a wheelbarrow full of money backing him. However, it’s impossible to bet against him.
15:35 – Ryanair Stayers Hurdle
15 runners are set to go to post for the Aintree equivalent of the Stayers Hurdle and there are plenty of old favourites.
If The Cap Fits beat Roksana by a neck in the 2019 edition of this race, but the former has tried his hand at chasing since. Roksana has run her best races over 3-miles since, but she looks held by Paisley Park and Thyme Hill from this season’s form at Ascot.
Emma Lavelle thinks Paisley Park might be fitter here than at Cheltenham, but Thyme Hill travels better and may be suited ideally by this test on good ground.
But it could be worth taking them all on with Diol Ker, who relished stepping-up to 3-miles last time and he looks the each-way value.
16.15 – Betway Handicap Chase
There aren’t many obvious improvers in this line-up, and Happygolucky and Snow Leopardess have every right to go close after finished second and fourth in staying races at the Cheltenham Festival. Top Notch also placed at Cheltenham off top-weight and could go close again if he sees out the three-mile trip.
Backing horses that have been off the course for more than 400-days can be a risky proposition but it’s a risk that could be worth taking in the case for Lalor. He won a bumper at the Grand National Meeting in 2017 and won a Grade 1 the following year. He also runs well fresh, and connections have saved the step-up to 3-miles back at Aintree for his return to the racecourse.
17.15 – Grand National
The first prize for winning the Grand National may have been reduced in these Covid-troubled times, but it’s still an amazing £375,000, ensuring that connections of most of the Grand National runners will have been plotting their way to this race for some time.
The connections of Cloth Cap look to have plotted their way ideally, as the Jonjo O’Neill 9-year-old won a big pot for winning the Ladbrokes Trophy, which also ensured a ratings-rise that saw him sneak in towards the bottom of the weights. He’s also now rated 14lb higher than the mark he runs off here and, with his stamina proven by a third in the Scottish Grand National, he’ll take some beating if he stays on his feet. Whether you want to take 5/1 or less is up to you, but victory won’t be a surprise.
But most of us will look to ignore the obvious claims of the favourite and looks for each-way value elsewhere. Burrows Saint, Minella Times, and Any Second Now head the Irish challenge, while Gigginstown Stud looks to add to their impressive record in the race by saddling Tout Est Permis, Alpha Des Obeaux, Shattered Love, Milan Native, and Farclas.
But with plenty of dubious stayers in the race, the appropriately named Takingrisks looks a solid each-way bet. He’s a former Scottish Grand National winner and, though he’s 12, he’s already shown with a victory this year that age hasn’t caught up with him yet.
18.20 – Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open NH Flat Race
This bumper provides punters with a potential chance to get their Grand National losses back, but it doesn’t look an easy race to solve. Ireland plundered the mares’ bumper with just one runner earlier in the week, and it could be worth sticking with the sole Irish runner again as they’ve outperformed their English counterparts in the main this week.
The Gossiper represents Emmet Mullins, who has already shown his skills by landing a £100,000 bonus at the Cheltenham Festival with The Shunter. That horse was second here on Thursday, and The Gossiper looks to have been saved for this meeting.
Free 2021 Grand National Festival Day Three Tips
Check out all our free Grand National Festival 2021 day three tips below.
1.45 Reserve Tank (Each-Way)
2.25 My Drogo
3.00 Shiskin
3.35 Diol Ker (Each-Way)
4.15 Lalor (Each-Way)
5.15 Takingrisks
6.20 The Gossiper