Grand National Tips: Four big priced selections for the big race

Apr 07 2017
Apr 07 2017
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17:15 Aintree – Grand National 

It’s hard enough to pick the winner of a big field race over fences under normal circumstances, but finding the winner of the Grand National is a task that’s in a league all of it’s own, much like the race itself. If there’s ever a race where you need all the luck in the world, this is it. There are any number of horses in this field of 40 who could, for one reason or another, be fancied; however, below are four big priced selections who appear to have decent credentials and are thus worthy of some each-way support.

Ucello Conti @ 18/1 (each-way)

Gordon Elliot is a trainer better known for his frequent winners at Cheltenham rather than winning Aintree’s flagship event, but the master Irishman has saddled the winner of this race previously and has a couple of good chances in this renewal. Ucello Conti will surely be high on any list having run very respectably in this contest 12 months ago. A 6th place finish that day is certainly not to be sneezed at, and it’s fancied that he would’ve gone even closer were it not for a costly jump at the fifth-last.

Despite not winning as of yet this season, the nine-year-old has enjoyed a decent campaign running a number of promising races in some big field events, none more so than when finishing a close 4th at this venue back in December, shaping as though further would have brought some improvement.

For a trainer who knows as well as anybody how to get one home, Ucello Conti is a sound jumper and a horse with precious experience in this race and is expected to give it a good shot at decent odds.

Saint Are @ 40/1 (each-way)

The 2015 runner-up may well have seen his best days come and go, but, given his profile and experience in these sort of races, it’s hard not to think that Tom George’s 11-year-old has another strong performance up his sleeve.

His 2nd place finish to Many Clouds two seasons ago really was an almighty performance and, even if he was to produce something not quite on that level, it would be no surprise to see him there at the business end.

Having been fairly lightly campaigned in recent times with just one run in 2017 – a pleasing effort at Doncaster – it’s thought that connections have been lining the gelding up for one last crack at this mega prize.

The fact that Davy Russell gets the ride is a major eye-catcher. After all, as far as pulling one out the fire goes, Russell is up there with the best in this game and his booking is certainly noteworthy.

Double Shuffle @ 40/1 (each-way)

Tom George is a trainer who has a decent strike rate at Aintree and it is another of his entrants who stands out a big price.

Unlike the previous two selections, Double Shuffle is without experience in this race, nor has he ever gone beyond three miles, so a leap of faith is definitely required with this one. Having said that, is there a better race to be taking a punt than the one that requires all the luck in the world and then some?

At just seven years of age, this gelding is one of the youngest horses in the race but looked a really nice prospect last time out when finishing 2nd over three miles at Kempton and has often shaped as though the marathon type trip might just suit.

Having comfortably won at Kempton just after Christmas, the seven-year-old has been kept under wraps somewhat with just one outing in 2017 prior to this race. There’s every chance that connections have had this race in mind and may well have held him back in order to maintain an attractive looking mark.

At a big price, Double Shuffle is another who merits some each-way support in the hope that he can build on what have been two very promising efforts.

Wonderful Charm @ 40/1 (each-way)

Last but not least, it’s one of the Paul Nicholls mob who gets the nod. Wonderful Charm is a horse who has been rejuvenated by a switch to hunter chases this season and, after a desperately unlucky 2nd in the Foxhunter at Cheltenham, could go well here.

This won’t be the first time that Wonderful Charm has attempted this incredibly demanding test and, having lined up 12 months ago, it’s fair to say he failed miserably on his first attempt. However, as mentioned above, the nine-year-old has been in the form of his life this season and certainly deserves a second chance.

Although his previous Grand National attempt didn’t go to plan, this selection has run well at this venue on a number of other occasions, while jockey Katy Walsh knows what it’s like to go close in this race.

As a side note, whoever you’re supporting in Saturday’s big race, it’s worth noting that both BetVictor and PaddyPower are paying 6 PLACES. 

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