Horseracing betting: big weekend races

Grand National favouritism will be on the line this afternoon as Cloudy Land and Mr Pointment go head-to-head in the Grimthorpe Chase (3.30pm) over 3m 2f at Doncaster.

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Both won their latest start, but Cloudy Lane shades favouritism in the Aintree race, courtesy of his impressive eight-length romp at Ayr in heavy ground earlier this month. Ladbrokes go 8/1 for the Grand National, while Paddy Power go 10/1.

Although both horses have an undeniable chance at Aintree, the one to concentrate on for the Grimthorpe Chase is Ungaro. Ungaro won the Feltham Novices Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day in 2006 by 10 lengths and hasn't really had things right since then, until he ran a blinder in the Skybet Chase behind An Accordion over 3m at this course last month.

On the back of that effort, Ungaro was backed down to 5/1 second-favourite to Gungadu for the Racing Post Chase last week, at which he fell at the second obstacle. The key to Ungaro has always been the going and on better ground, back at Doncaster, he should run a big Grimthorpe Chase.

The 11-year-old Joes Edge should be worth watching on his first run for 322 days. He is a dour stayer on his day and if he puts in a solid comeback, he will trade a hell of a lot shorter than the 33/1 for the Grand National that Ladbrokes quote him at now.

Given that he beat Burntoakboy by 11 lengths last time out, Maljimar looks to have a tremendous chance of taking the Connaught Gold Cup at Newbury (3.15pm). With Ollie Magern and Mister McGoldrick in the line-up, there is sure to be no hanging about as the two love to set a strong pace.

Maljimar showed how he likes such a furious pace when he powered to victory at Cheltenham ahead of Burntoakboy. The bookmakers also seem to like his chances however and at 3/1 with Stan James he looks priced correctly.

Where there may be a bit of value though is in backing David Pipe's Milan Deux Mille. Pipe trained Madison Du Berlais to win last year and his father was responsible for Horus, who won at a massive 22/1 in 2006. He looks pretty fresh for this time of year having had just two starts over hurdles and at 6/1 with Bet Direct he looks a decent wager.

Verdict: 1pt Milan Deux Mille @ 6/1 (Bet Direct)

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