We bring you all of the best bets and tips for the final day of the 2023 Aintree Grand National Festival.
AINTREE GRAND NATIONAL FESTIVAL
Race 2 – GOOD TIME JONNY 5/1
GOOD TIME JONNY has bold claims in the Village Hotels Handicap Hurdle, he justified strong support in the market when given a patient ride to win the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham last month and he may complete the double off only 5lb higher in the handicap.
MILL GREEN and AN TALLIUR finished behind in third and sixth respectively that day and, while they both merit consideration, the former may emerge as the bigger threat given that he finished a respectable third in last year’s renewal of t his race.
OUTLAW PETER pulled up behind that rival, but he appears to have progressed since and shouldn’t be underestimated.
WEST BALBOA is not without merit either.
Race 3 – YOU WEAR IT WELL 7/1
YOU WEAR IT WELL‘s claims in the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle appear to be more straightforward, with her mares’ allowance likely to prove very handy indeed.
Jamie Snowden’s charge has only been beaten once in four hurdles starts, chasing home the reopposing Hermes Allen in the Challow Hurdle on identical terms back in December.
However, HERMES ALLEN subsequently made little impact at Cheltenham, while You Wear It Well’s star has continued to rise with a Grade Two win at Sandown followed by an all-the-way verdict under a penalty in the mares’ novices’ heat at the Festival.
You Wear It Well must take on the boys this time, but is clearly still making strides and has proven capable on both good and soft ground.
Race 4 – MARIE’S ROCK 4/1
MARIE’S ROCK is another mare tackling open company – and a hike in trip – in the JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle.
Connections were pondering a Stayers’ Hurdle tilt at Cheltenham but opted to stick to two and a half miles in the mares’ hurdle instead, a decision that did not really pay dividends as the race was not run to suit.
Nicky Henderson’s charge was far too keen off a slow early pace and had nothing in reserve when push came to shove, eventually coming home seventh.
With habitual front-runner FLOORING PORTER in the line-up, a solid gallop can be expected and the 7lb Marie’s Rock gets from her rivals here could prove crucial.
Race 5 – BEAUPORT 11/2
BEAUPORT travelled well for a long way but failed to see out the testing 3m2f on soft ground in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last month.
Down a furlong in trip and switched to a flat track, the seven-year-old may put in an improved effort and is certainly on a workable mark.
MIDNIGHT RIVER disappointed at the Festival but is a player based on his Grade 3 victory at Cheltenham two starts ago.
ELDORADO ALLEN has been highly tried this season and should not be underestimated now eased in grade, while GOLD CUP BAILLY and NASSALAM are a couple of others to note.
Race 6 – Aintree Grand National – DELTA WORK 9/1
DELTA WORK can give trainer Gordon Elliott a record-equalling fourth victory in the Randox Grand National.
George Dockeray, Fred Rimell and Ginger McCain currently share the honours as the leading handlers in the National Hunt highlight and Elliott has every chance of adding his name to the hall of fame.
Delta Work was beaten 22 lengths by NOBLE YEATS when third last year, but while that one has been hiked 15lb, the selection will actually carry 5lb less than 12 months ago after some mixed results in the interim.
There could be no arguing with the merit of his prep run though, following the same path as last year to fend off stablemate and reopposing rival GALVIN in the cross-country chase at the Cheltenham Festival, with Delta Work keeping on well to win by two and a half lengths despite having a 7lb deficit on official ratings.
His stamina is still to be proven over this four-and-a-quarter-mile trip and clearly if ante-post favourite CORACH RAMBLER takes to the course, the whole field will be up against it with a horse that is technically 10lb well in.
Corach Rambler’s come-from-behind style is also a risk in a 40-strong field and so Delta Work is the pick on the basis of his proven aptitude for the fences, which are the crucial part of this whole test.
OUR POWER could give him most to think about from the bottom of the handicap, while another Elliott runner in Coko Beach can make the frame and Noble Yeats cannot be ruled out back at the scene of his greatest hour.
