Nick Luck
Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Grand National Day Tips
William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews the final day of the Aintree Grand National Festival.
Aintree, Saturday
MIGHTY BANDIT can make his presence felt in the opener at Aintree (1.20). I think this is going to be run at a very honest gallop, and I believe Mighty Bandit can spring a minor surprise at the expense of Salvator Mundi. I’ve been very impressed with him in handicap company; he’s getting better with each run, and I think the stronger the pace, the better chance he has. With Mirabad and King Of Kingsfield in the race, you’d expect it to be run very honestly.
SUPREMELY WEST can build on his Cheltenham win and go again here (1.20). I don’t see there being any issue with the track. Off a mark of 144, I don’t think that necessarily flatters him; he’s perhaps on route to graded company next year.
BOSSMAN JACK is the one I’ve landed on in the Turners Mersey Hurdle (2.55), who I think shaped significantly better than his eventual sixth-place finish in a Turners that is shaping up to be the best of the three established novice hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival. He may have most to fear from the promising Tom Lacey-trained Montemares, who made a striking impression on me when winning the Premier Hurdle at Kelso last time with a sharp turn of speed. A return to two-and-a-half miles should be no problem for him.
CRUZ CONTROL is my selection in the William Hill Handicap Steeple Chase (2.30). He won this race last year and comes into it after an absence of 120 days. Tom Lacey has a brilliant record of targeting horses at this fixture, and he arrives here on a comparable mark.
JINGKO BLUE for me in the Liverpool Hurdle (3.05), stepping up in trip. I thought he looked a completely different horse. It seemed as though he had an MOT before his Cheltenham race, and everyone appeared to know he was going to grow an extra leg -which he did. I felt that was easily a good enough performance to suggest he can mix with the best in what looks a rather shallow staying division.
JOHNNYWHO can come out on top in the Grand National (4.00). He’s the best handicapped horse in the race. His win in the Ultima came on his first run after a wind-op. Jonjo O’Neill is brilliant with staying chasers, as we all know. Grangeclare West will be in the mix for Willie Mullins, and I think Gerri Colombe is also worth mentioning, with Jack Kennedy choosing to ride him.
THE PERFECT POET could be the answer in the bumper (5.00). He’s from a family I like, by Rule The World and sired by Poet’s Word, who a stallion I like. He made quite an impression on me at Fontwell, even though it was a small field and the opposition was modest. I think he’s well worth a go in better company.
