Grand National Selection

Disappointing effort from Little Josh yesterday who tried to make all but a number of small jumping mistakes put paid to his chances and he eventually finished 7^th. There are two National Hunt meetings today at Aintree and Chepstow and there is one selection in the Grand National.

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 = +16.92 2012 = -2.46

Aintree 4.15 Synchronised  1/2PT E/W @ 10/1 William Hill Fell and tragically had to be destroyed

Not a race I would usually have a selection in but Synchronised arrives at Aintree in the form of his life and I expect him to go very close to completing the Gold Cup/Grand National double. I actually back Synchronised antipost for the Welsh National earlier in the season after a promising run at Haydock over hurdles only for him to be withdrawn at the declaration stage and run and win the Lexus chase. His performance in the Gold Cup was all about stamina and being a former winner of the Midlands National the trip and ground should pose no problems.  AP McCoy has mentioned in press reports this week that he is a much classier horse than his previous winner Don’t Push It and the current 10/1 available as I write this appears value as he has been as low as 6/1 in the anti post market and it has been mentioned that he could go off at half his current price when the once a year punter get involved in betting tomorrow.

Back With A Winner

Nice to return with a well backed winner yesterday in Grumeti and with Gullinbursti being a non runner it was a 100% return for the blog. There are two National Hunt meetings today at Aintree and Sedgefield and there is one selections at Aintree.

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 = +17.92 2012 = -1.46

Aintree 3.40 Little Josh 1/2PT E/W @ 8/1 Bet 365 (paying 5 places)Unplcd (6/1F)

Little Josh caught my eye on his seasonal debut in a Grade 2 chase at Cheltenham in January, where he was travelling as well as the winner Midnight Chase at the top of the hill ,but clearly did not stay the extended 3 mile trip. He has subsequently run in two Grade 1 race where he has been out of is depth and today returns to handicap company off a mark 9lb lower than Cheltenham and 1lb lower than when he won the Paddy power in 2010. If he takes to these fences then I think he has a serious chance. Seemed to take to the fences, but didn't jump as well as he could and clearly not as good as he once was when finishing 7th.

Short Headed

The small margins of success and failure in gambling was clearly highlighted yesterday when a profit of 2.5pts was turned into a 1pt loss in the last stride as the selection Appleaday, who has made most was short headed on the line. That’s history now and with a great days racing with four competitive cards at Aintree, Chepstow, Sandown and Wetherby. There was one potential selection at the 12.55 at Sandown in Knight Pass who is very highly thought of but I was expecting to see some odds against but as that is not the case then there is no bet today.

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 +28.42 

Yesterday was another winning day with Magnifique Etoile being heavily backed into 4/9F, although I have to admit that his jumping throughout the race had me so worried that as an insurance I layed my stake back in running on Betfair at 1.05 going to the second just in case he tipped up. Thankfully he didn’t but his jumping will need to improve as he progresses through the novice ranks. Sadly Shoreacres was a non runner not sure of the reason why but I do know from his tweets that his trainer Brendan Powell was at Aintree. Two meetings today at Aintree and Wincanton and there is one selection at Aintree.

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 +12.64 

Aintree 3.10 1/2PT E/W Storm Brig @8/1Boylesports Pulled Up (5/1)

This is a competitive event but I am taking a chance with the unexposed Storm Brig who makes his handicap hurdle debut today. Storm Brig caught my eye on a number of runs last season. A winner of two bumpers and two novice hurdles Storm Brig ran a reasonable race in a grade 2 novice hurdle here in April. The step up to 3miles should be a plus and although the stable is not in fantastic form they had a fourth in handicap hurdle here yesterday. Alistair Whillans, the Trainer of STORM BRIG, reported that the gelding was pulled up lame.