‘Galloping gray loves the Grand National fences’ – Jason Heavey’s Saturday ideas
The Daily Star Chief Tipster believes a horse who has already won over the famous Aintree fences can make a triumphant return to the track on Saturday
BILL BAXTER (2.40) can make a victorious return to the scene of his greatest triumph at Aintree on Saturday.
The grey ran his rivals ragged over the Grand National fences to win the Topham in 2023.
Sam Twiston-Davies rode him that day and gets the leg-up again in the William Hill Half A Mill Becher Chase.
Bill Baxter lost his way for a while after his Aintree success but bounced back to form in the spring when he won a Listed race at the Punchestown Festival.
And he confirmed his wellbeing with an excellent return run over hurdles last month when he was second to Haiti Couleurs over hurdles at Newbury. A blunder at the last may have cost him the race.
At around the 10-1 mark, he is a sporting bet to gain his second victory over the famous fences.
The opposition is tough and the testing ground will make it a real stamina test over there miles and a shade under two furlongs.
Conditions should suit the giant Mr Vango who won all three of his races last season and could book his ticket for the National itself if he takes to the fences and track.
Gaboriot lurks menacingly at the bottom of the weights and was a solid second in the Grand Sefton Chase last month to Colonel Harry. He has only been put up 2lb and rates a strong danger.
Galia des Liteaux was eigthh in the National in April and jumped well until the petrol gauge started flickering. She is a big player for current big race king Dan Skelton.
Each-way backers could do worse than the 2024 Welsh National winner Val Dancer who trades at around 14-1.
He had a pipe opener at Carlisle but off a nice racing weight he wil relish every drop of rain that falls.
L’EAU DU SUD (3.00) gets the vote in a classy renewal of the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.
Trainer Dan Skelton has monopolised the big Saturday pots in recent weeks and can bag another £100k in prize money for winning this Grade One contest.
L’Eau Du Sud looked a much improved performer when scooting clear to win the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham.
He beat Jonbon by 15 lengths although he was getting 3lb and on ground that promises to be testing he is fancied to confirm the form against Nicky Henderson’s beast who has won this race for the past two years.
Il Etait Temps showed huge improvement in the spring when scoring at Aintree, Punchestown and Sandown and returned with a smooth success at Clonmel last month. He looks pretty bombproof but he is no value at odds-on.
It will be a surprise if Lulamba fails to win the other Grade One at the Esher track – the Betfair Henry VIII Novices’ Chase.
He won nicely at Exeter on his chasing debut but at 4-6 he is no value to punters especially on deep ground.
I prefer the classy LUMP SUM (1.50) who has plenty to find on ratings with Lulamba but he was a very good hurdler and looked a natural chaser when scoring at Uttoxeter. Both Alnilam and Be Aware cannot be ruled out.
O’CONNELL (3.35, nap) is napped to win the Betfair Exchange London National. He goes well at Sandown and today’s rider Gavin Sheehan steered him to a gritty victory at the track in February.
KNICKERBOCKERGLORY (2.25) won the Bet At Your Best With Betfair handicap Chase 12 months ago and I fancy him to snare back-to-back wins off 6lb more.
KIKIJO (1.20), owned by a syndicate led by former champion jockey Richard Johnson, showed tremendous stamina to win at Cheltenham and despite a rise in the weights he can follow up in the Pertemps Network Qualifier.
The ITV cameras are at Aintree for two races and EDELAK (2.05) is chanced to make a winning debut in the Wiliam Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Wirral Juvenile Hurdle. He was a winner on the Flat for Johnny Murtagh.
The Jonjo O’Neill yard has suffered with a virus but WELLINGTON ARCH (3.15), a winner at Aintree in April, can give it a much-needed boost in the New William Hill Racing Bet Builder handicap Hurdle.
JASON HEAVEY’S SATURDAY TIPS
SANDOWN
12.10 Sober Gory
12.43 Sunset Marquesa
1.20 Kikijo
1.50 Lump Sum
2.25 Knickerbockerglory
3.00 L’Eau Du Sud
3.35 O’Connell (Nap)
AINTREE
11.48 Captain Hugo
12.24 Top Guy
12.58 Kdeaux Saint Fray
1.30 Margaret’s Legacy
2.05 Edelak
2.40 Bill Baxter
3.15 Wellington Arch
CHEPSTOW
11.55 The Price Of Peace
12.29 Ben Solo
1.04 Champagne Chic
1.36 Jubilee Express
2.11 Bective Abbey
2.46 Modern Man
3.21 Presley
WETHERBY
11.10 Ade Boy
11.40 Athair Mor (nb)
12.17 Kilbarry Hill
12.50 Chase A Fortune
1.25 Express Surprise
1.57 Striking Midnight
WOLVERHAMPTON
4.30 The Caribbean
5.00 Beckon
5.30 Koala Rose
6.00 Quick Away
6.30 Tribal Wisdom
7.00 Billy Bathgate
7.30 So Alex
8.00 Woodhay Whisper
8.30 Call Glory (trb)
