Sport

Weekend betting tips - Big Shu each-way at the Grand National

SATURDAY

LINGFIELD
1-15 32RED TOMB RAIDER SLOT MAIDEN STAKES – 7 FURLONGS

Exchequer looks the type that Richard Hannon can do well with this season. Having finished fourth on his debut at Sandown he then finished runner up on two other occasions. His breeding suggests that he should improve for a switch to a faster surface and he can account for some up and coming sorts with Frankie Dettori booked to ride.

Intermediate lived up to his name last year and remained a maiden following four runs.Charlie Appleby has hit the ground running this season and it could well prove that a break will have done this half brother to the selection the world of good.

Shasta Daisy ran well on her debut over this course and distance last Autumn and was only beaten a head by Muteela. Being a filly she receives five pounds from her male counterparts and she may provide the sternest opposition to the selection. Richard Hannon should have a good handle on the form of the opposition as he ran so many of his against them last year and Exchequer can finally get off the mark here.

Put your money on: Exchequer

1-50 DOWNLOAD THE LADBROKES APP HANDICAP - 7 FURLONGS

Presumido is a recent course and distance winner who made the most of a drop in class to see off the likes of Alnoomaas and the reopposing Bertie Blu Boy. Exaggerated waiting tactics seemed to work out well for Simon Dow’s four year old on that occasion and young amateur Jack Duern will be hoping that For Shia and Lua adopts his customary front running position.

Ostralegus and The Happy Hammer also like to race prominently so there should be plenty of pace on from the outset. The likes of La Danza and Eager To Bow are making their seasonal reappearances and should improve for the run whilst Athletic has been tried on numerous occasions over this course and distance and has failed to land the spoils.

He appears to prefer Kempton and is passed over this afternoon. Presumido is still only a four year old and remains one of the least exposed in the lineup. If repeating the same level of form that he showed last time out, he can follow up.

Put your money on: Presumido

AINTREE

2-50 SILVER CROSS STAYERS’ HURDLE (GRADE ONE) – 3 MILES 110 YDS

Whisper landed an ultra competitive renewal of The Coral Cup at Cheltenham last month and he is clearly still on the upgrade. Having won at the likes of Ffos Las and Newbury it is apparent that he is well suited by a flat track. Barry Geraghty replaces Nico De Boinville in the saddle and the six year old remains far from exposed.

If he could come back to anywhere near his best At Fishers Cross would be a massive threat to the selection. He just seems to have been lacking a bit of sparkle this season and even though AP McCoy is set to ride, he may flatter to deceive yet again.

Zarkandar has been beaten all year by the likes of The New One and Annie Power. He was also beaten by the reopposing Melodic Rendezvous at Wincanton back in February, but he can reverse that on this much better surface.

Thousand Stars is another that has endured a long hard season. He will ensure a true test of stamina from the outset and that can add to Whisper’s chances.

Put your money on: Whisper

4-15 CRABBIES GRAND NATIONAL CHASE – 4 M 3 F 110YDS

Big Shu ran a cracking race in the Cross Country event at Cheltenham last time out when third to Balthazar King. He was coming back from a bout of illness on that occasion and trainer Peter Maher has always maintained that this race was his ultimate target. It was obvious that he wasn’t at full fitness that day when he tired in the closing stages. With that run now behind him he can improve again and go close here.

Teaforthree is the obvious favourite having placed in this race last season and also in the Welsh version earlier this year. The stable are in much better form now and he commands respect. Chance Du Roy won the Becher Chase at this track back in December and if seeing out this extra distance he too can make the frame.

Balthazar King was beaten ninety lengths in this race last year and he may not be best suited to the track, whilst Tidal Bay bids to defy all the stats by winning off top-weight and as a thirteen year old. His last visit here did not end well and he is passed over this afternoon.

Irish Grand National winners tend to do well so Lion Na Bernai could well be worth another look. Paul Carberry has deserted Big Shu in order to ride the diminutive Monbeg Dude and Peter Buchanan now takes the reigns. He has a decent strike rate at Aintree and the combination are fully entitled to go well.

Put your money on: Big Shu