IT'S not all about the Grand National on Saturday you know? Our man Graeme Johnston (@GraemeJ_83) takes a look at three of the supporting races for us.
Aintree 14:05 | Channel 4
Unfortunately we have no Un De Sceaux in this race but we have the horse that chased him home in the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham in the shape of Gods Own. He ran out of his skin to get so close to the Mullins wonder horse but I worry about how much that race took out of him.
Court Minstrel was also in that race never landing a blow in fifth, but I can see reasons for him to reverse the form here. He runs much better in the spring than during the rest of the season, and as a previous winner at this meeting I see him as tremendous each way value.
Lifetime form in April of 4-1-1-2 shows his liking for spring ground and that quicker surface tomorrow will see him in contention in my opinion with the 5/1 a great each way price.
Aintree 14:50 | Channel 4
Zarkander is viewed by many as an unlucky loser in the World Hurdle as he made a crucial mistake two out, and its believed with the form of trainer Paul Nicholls this week he could reverse the form. I don't share this view however and I believe the form will be upheld.
Cole Harden came in to the World Hurdle on the back of three defeats and wasn't seen as the likely winner by many. However he was always in control of the race and despite the shock result it was an authoritative performance. Only a six year old, he is a progressive young horse, and as its only his sixth start of the season he is still a fresh horse.
The staying hurdle division is not blessed with the stars of the other the other distances have and there is an opportunity for Cole Harden to potentially dominate. Any horse that can beat Saphir Du Rheu is obviously blessed with significant talent and I see the 11/4 on him adding the Aintree stayers hurdle to his Cheltenham crown as superb value.
Aintree 15:25 | Channel 4
At the Cheltenham Festival I backed Buywise in the Stable Plate and he rewarded my each way bet coming fourth. That day he was held up in last way off the pace before rattling home to finish only three lengths behind the winner.
He has been a massively progressive horse in the past 18 months running solid races at the Festival on two occasions and coming fifth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
He is a big powerful horse and I believe that the step up in trip to three miles here will squeeze the improvement needed from Buywise and he can finally win the big handicap he deserves and cap what could be a massive day for Evan Williams.
He's a 9/4 chance to do that, and I believe he will and set you up with some extra cash to invest in the Grand National that the Voice Of Value has provided some fantastic analysis on!
Best Bets
Aintree 14:05 – Court Minstrel each way (5/1 William Hill)
Aintree 14:50 – Cole Harden to win (11/4 BetVictor)
Aintree 15:25 – Buywise to win (9/4 Bet365)
Treble Odds On All Grand National Runners
Yup, that's what Coral are offering new customers this weekend.
Last year's winner won at 100/1 so imagine getting that at 300/1?
