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antipost for the Welsh National earlier in the season after a promising run at Haydock over hurdles only for him to be withdrawn at the declaration stage and run and win the Lexus chase.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.

Blog is Back

Along time since my last post due to work commitments and with time still limited the write up’s will be much more succinct. There are two National Hunt meetings today at Aintree and Newton Abbot and there are two selections at Aintree, unfortunately both are likely to go off favourite.

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 = +14.52 2012 = -4.86

Aintree 2.30 Grumeti 1PT WIN @ 4/1 William Hills 1st (11/4F)Rule 4

I expect Grumeti to come out on top of those who he opposed in the Triumph hurdle as that race was run at a crawl and provided the race is run at a good pace I expect this flat track to play to his strengths. A very game performance to win well in the end after being hampered by the sad sight of Gottany Os suffering a fatal injury.

Aintree 5.35 Gullinburtsi 1/2PT E/W @9/2 Bet365 paying 5 places. Non Runner

A very competitive 3 mile handicap hurdle in which Gullinbursti has some very strong form in novice hurdles before making a highly encouraging handicap debut at Newbury, beaten a neck by the unbeaten Knock a Hand. Up 5lb for that effort he still looks well weighted and I expect further improvement on this softer ground.