Saturday at the Grand National: Preview and Tips

We are set for the final day of the 2010 Grand National at Aintree and there are some solid betting opportunities available on Saturday’s action; not the least of which is the race that stops the nation.

The opening race of the day is the 1:45 John Smith’s Mersey Novices Hurdle; a Grade 2 contest going 2m4f. Peddler’s Cross is the clear favourite here with the talented five year-old boasting an undefeated record.

He took the Neptune Investment Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham when sent off at 7/1. He looks to have all the form in the world and will need a serious performance form a rival to put him off. He’s strongly-backed at 6/5 and could be odds-on if the punters go crazy on the early race.

Ruby Walsh and Paul Nicholls team up for Najaf- who is considered the 10/3 favourite. He could play the spoiler, but needs a good trip to get the result. Bygone’s Bird is a decent shout at 8/1, but might be lacking some value. Needs a lot to go his way but could be spotted on the forecasts.

The 2:15 John Smith’s Maghull Novices Chase is a decent-looking Grade 1 contest over 2m. Nicky Henderson’s French Opera is the lukewarm 7/2 favourite, while I’ve got my eyes on Ferdy Murphy’s Bedlam Boy- who boasts 1121 this year and looks in good shape. The 14/1 price looks great, and this one could be anyone’s race.

The 2:50 John Smith’s Dick Francis Aintree Hurdle is another Grade 1 affair going 2m4f with the current betting favourite seeming to be Zaynar. Zaynar has been pipped in his past two races, and the punters seem to be assuming he gets it back on track here. There is some tough competition on display and several jumpers can beat the 7/4 Nicky Henderson gelding.

Khyber Kim looks like the best shout, and Nigel Twiston-Davies charge trades at a 7/2 listing and stayed on well to finish second to Binocular in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. Ruby Walsh is aboard Celestial Halo once again, and he’ll be looking to improve on his 4th place finish in the aforementioned Cheltenham race. He’s well-priced at 11/2 and is a decent win-only shout.

The 2010 John Smith’s Grand National race has been covered ad nauseum here and you can click on any of the articles in the upper left-hand box to read our in-depth coverage and get tips on shorter-odds and long-shot selections.

The 5:00 John Smith’s Handicap Hurdle looks to be anyone’s guess with the betting favourite being Nick Scholfield boarding Paul Nicholls’ six year-old charge Ghizao at 8/1. H’s a contender, but many are steering towards Magnum Force with an awesome name and a 14/1 price.

The final race of the meet is the John Smith’s Champion Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race- a Grade 2 race going 2m1f. A field of up-and-comers should make this one interesting, and Nicky Henderson’s Tetlami at 10/1 is looking strong. Also well-priced is Fishoutofwater who will be piloted by Tom Scudamore. The Rebecca Curtis-trained gelding is listed at 16/1.

We’ll be featuring some last minute tips and selections as we get closer to the start of the final day of the Grand National meet.