Following on from my ‘pinstickers guide’ here are my tips for the 2017 Grand National.
Selections
Blaklion
Like the last 2 winners of this, he’s a 2nd season chaser and this one has some top form in the book too. He won the RSA Chase at Cheltenham last season and, this season, has progressed into a top class staying chaser with some excellent pieces of form. Opened up in the Charlie Hall Chase, finished 4th just one place behind Cue Card before an excellent 5th in the Hennessey off a mark of 154. Blaklion did finish behind Definitly Red on the 3rd of his 4 season runs but was cruising until finding little so I’m sure the extra distance will help on that front. His final run saw him finish 2nd to Vieux Lion Rouge but I think he’ll reverse the form on this better ground. He is well in at the weights and is still just an 8 year old. Big chance from a stable that has a decent record in the race.
Ucello Conti
This horse was well fancied in this race last year but could only finish 6th, fading late on. He hit a couple of fences quite hard late on and that probably put paid to his chances especially as he’d been off the track for almost 3 months prior to the run. This season he seems better equipped and races off a 3lb lower mark. He finished 4th in the Becher and has since run well 3 times in defeat. The longer trip will bring about improvement and he seems to love these fences and big fields. Whilst his best form over jumps seems to have come on softer ground, he has some useful early flat form on good ground and I actually think he might prove to be a better horse on this ground. Has a fantastic chance in an open race.
The Young Master
He looks an ideal type for this and has been laid out for a run here. The Young Master is ridden by Sam Waley Cohen who has an impressive completion / place record in the race and that just adds to this horse’s’ chances. He loves the good ground he’ll get here and has won over the 2 longest distances he’s ever faced. He won the Bet365 Chase last season on this ground off a 2lb lower mark than he’s got today. The Young Master has run 3 times this season, latterly in races that haven’t suited and I’m sure that’s in a bid to protect his mark. He fell in the Becher before having a spin over hurdles behind Unowhatimeanharry. He then finished a good 6th in the Ultima at Cheltenham which should put him spot on for this. Interestingly, that was the same prep race he had last season before the Bet365 Chase so let’s hope for a similar result. He needs to get over that Becher falls but, if he does, he should run a massive race.
Houblon Des Obeaux
He is trained by Venetia Williams who is master of getting horses ready and I can see this one running really well at a big price. He’s now a 10 year old and may just prefer softer ground but you just cannot ignore his form over marathon trips in big fields. He’s run 4 times this year and his record is pretty impressive. 3rd of 20 in the Welsh National at 33/1 behind Native River off a mark of 153 before 4th of 20 in the big Warwick staying chase off 152. He disappointed in 8th in the Haydock National trial but was then 4th in the Midlands National off 144. He gets in here with a mark of 149 and, to me, he’ll relish the trip. Whether he’ll be good enough to win is questionable but at 50/1, I’ll pay to find out.
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Grand National Tips
PLACED – Back Blaklion (e/w) for a 1.5/10 stake at 17.00 Betfair Sportsbook BOG (¼ odds 1-5)
Bet here:
Back Ucello Conti (e/w) for a 1.5/10 stake at 21.00 Skybet BOG (¼ odds 1-5)
Bet here:
Back The Young Master (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 23.00 William Hill BOG (¼ odds 1-5)
Bet here:
Back Houblon Des Obeaux (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 51.00 BetVictor BOG (¼ odds 1-6)
Bet here:
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