Hi all,
Aintree Grand National Ante Post Selections
As promised here are my two ante post darts at the upcoming Grand National. The weights for the world’s most famous horse race were published last week and one of my picks ran at Haydock on Saturday.
Ramses De Teillee – David Pipe
Three potential National contenders were in action over the weekend. Ramses De Teillee was the most interesting of three. His rein broke in last year’s Grand National so a line can be drawn through that run.
He’s had an interesting campaign so far this season with three of his four runs having come over hurdles. Adding a second successive Grade 2 novice hurdle to his CV on Saturday. He could well go for next month’s Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle and wouldn’t be without a chance there if the ground was as soft as it was on Saturday at Haydock.
Last season his high-class staying handicap chase form included finishing runner-up in Haydock’s Grand National Trial, and he occupied the same spot in the Welsh Grand National. The 8-year-old is all stamina, has good form in big field handicaps and goes well on soft ground. Looks set for a big run in this year’s Grand National and remains an attractive price.
The other horse I like at a bigger price, finished runner-up in last month’s valuable Thyestes Chase.
Class Conti – Willie Mullins
The 8-year-old has only the five starts since joining the Willie Mullins yard. Looked a chaser worth following when running out an easy winner at Tramore last April. That was his first run since switching from France where he had won over hurdles and fences for his previous trainer.
Not so good on three subsequent starts but put in a career best when finishing 2nd of 18 to stablemate Total Recall in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park. Has been raised 2lb for that performance but remains on a mark from which I think he can win a decent staying handicap chase.
A half-brother to the smart Silviniaco Conti and Ucello Conti, who ran well twice in the Grand National, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t go well over the Aintree fences and he looks capable of going well at big odds.
1pt each way – Ramses De Teillee – 25/1 @ Paddy Power – (paying 5 places 1/5 odds) – Non Runner No Bet or 33/1 @ Ladbrokes (paying 4 places ¼ odds)
1pt each way – Class Conti – 66/1 @ Ladbrokes or William Hill (both paying 4 places ¼ odds) or 50/1 @ Paddy Power (paying 5 places 1/5 odds) – Non Runner No Bet
The pair are likely my only ante post selections for the Grand National although there will no doubt be a couple more bets on the day.
The start of the new flat season is just over a month away and the next big race to come under the ante post microscope will be next month’s Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster. My ante post selection(s) for race will be with you next week.
Cheers
John