3 minute read

Fortunately not on Friday 13th but Saturday 14th with 40 runners to line up for the 7200m chase.

It's not the only excitement of the day. We see the excellent Simonsig in the Gr 2 Novices' Hurdle and 4/7 says it all.

The exciting Sprinter Sacre runs in the Novices' Chase (won by Finian's Rainbow last year) and 1/7 says it all here, except anyone feeling patriotic could venture Australia Day 12/1 in the quinella in a race with only 4 starters.

The Aintree Hurdle has Oscar Whisky at 2/1 to repeat his win in this last year, with Rock on Ruby 9/4 and Zarkander 3/1.

And then we come to the National. I generally recommend the sharp pin approach however the bookies like Synchronised at 7/1, and have Junior, West End Rocker and Giles Cross on 10/1. Last year's winner BallaBriggs is back and at 12/1. Sea Bass has won his last 6 outings and is 14/1. Mon Mome was set for this but hasn't been doing very well and is 33/1 so a very rough roughie. And in the end we are probably going for Neptune Collanges at 25/1 because he is very game and keeps on going so if he stays upright and others don't, why not?