Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Grand National Festival Day Two Tips

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews day two of the Grand National Festival from Aintree, fresh off a 22/1 winner on day one with Gracchus De Balme.

Friday, Aintree

CALDWELL POTTER can move back up to Grade One company in the Mildmay Novices Chase at Aintree on Friday (1.45). While ratings entitled him to his Festival handicap win, it was the manner of that triumph which impressed, specifically his rhythmic galloping and jumping, which should be ideal for a pace pushing role around here, where fences come thick and fast. What’s more, he lacked the keenness which characterised the early campaign, and he now looks ready for this trip.

LISTENTOYOURHEART is a sporting play in a monstrously competitive William Hill hurdle (2.20). This mare was at her most striking on goodish ground at Newbury early this season, which suggest this will be the perfect test for her. She was entitled to need the run at Kelso, where she shaped as though coming back to the boil and, after a light midwinter, she can reward connections’ patience under her promising conditional.

ROMEO COOLIO can build on a creditable Festival performance (2.55) in the Top Novices’ Hurdle. Much as I’d like to be imaginative here, he is a clear form choice, and has few complications. In addition, he’s plenty speedy enough for this track – a lack of that pace would be the only chink of light for his opponents.

JONBON should win again (3.30) in the Melling, unless El Fabiolo has enjoyed a timely renaissance. That is too much of unknown to chance.

LOUNGE LIZARD can make up for missing out at the eleventh hour last year in the Topham (4.05). The odd clunker in his career has come on winter ground, but for which he’s remained consistent. And had it been drier, he might have been a player in last season’s Becher, when he didn’t really stay after taking to the track really well. He arrives in good form, and rates a lively outsider here.

BATTLE BORN LAD looks a little overpriced in the Sefton (4.40). He still looked a shade raw in a Haydock Grade 2, but won very impressively despite doing quite a bit wrong. If his mind is sufficiently sharpened, he could take a fair bit of catching round here. The engine is big, and the trainer is talented.

HAMSIYANN can take the finale (5.15). This is much more his trip, he’ll get a strong pace to aim at, the ground is in his favour, and this is not a race full of obviously well treated horses.