1:45PM EFT Construction Handicap Hurdle

Serious Charges is a horse who is unbeaten over hurdles to date. He won easily on HCP debut last time out, that win came off of a mark of 120 and he races of 133 today. The manner of his victory and the time of the race suggest the rise in class is within his reach and being only 5, he is open to lots of improvement.

Coeur Serein ran a nice race in the Pertemps at the Cheltenham Festival. He came home in 8th only 8 lengths off of the winner having jumped to his left and hanging left after the last he could have been closer again. On a direct line with Third Wind who won the Pertemps that day, I fancy Coeur Serein to get closer and maybe reverse form for a few reasons. Third Wind is up 5lb for that win while Coeur Serein remains unchanged, also the track switch will help Coeur Serein. It’s much easier to come off the pace on the old course at Cheltenham compared to Aintree and finally Court Serein hinted at over racing at Cheltenham, the flat Aintree track makes it less expensive to over race. For the above reasons I’m taking a chance on Coeur Serien to reverse form with Third Wind at a big price.

Paul has picked out the following bets for Race 1 👇🏼

2:25PM Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle

North Lodge lost his unbeaten record last time out, when he was worn down late on having hit the front too soon, considering that was only his 2nd hurdle start he was entitled to lose the battle to a more experienced rival. With a more patient ride North lodge should take a step forward, as is he hasn’t a lot to find on form with the horses ahead of him the market. With extra places on offer industry wide he makes a good E/W bet. Nells Son who beat him the last day repossess here but is 5lb worse off and more exposed.

I’m going for Alan King’s other runner in this as well. Harbour Lake is unbeaten in all completed starts to date. He is on the up and has roughly 10 lb to find with the best form on offer but we are getting a big price. He has been doing a lot of his winning on heavy ground but his debut win on soft ground offers hope he will be ok on today’s ground. Looking at that debut win he hasn’t stepped forward as much on form as much as you would expect, but that could be down to having his sightly too low and I’ll take a chance he can step forward here while handling faster conditions.

Paul has picked out the following bet for Race 2 👇🏼

3:00PM Poundland Haghull Novices’ Chase

Gentleman De Mee comes here off the back of a Grade 3 win on his 4th chase start. Edwardstone comes here on the back of winning the Arkle which is the best bit of form on offer here, but Gentleman De Mee couldn’t have won any easier last time without being asked a question. He comes here a bit fresher then Edwardstone and being less exposed is open to more improvement. He rates a good win bet to cause on upset against the warm favourite.

Paul has picked out the following bet for Race 3 👇🏼

3:35PM JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle

Flooring Porter rocks up here on the back of an impressive defence of his Stayers Hurdle crown. Caution is advised with him as he can be very keen and his own worst enemy but I was happy with how he behaved at Cheltenham to chance him, that is despite his position at the top of the market. There will probably be plenty of people willing to take him on here on the back of the ride Danny Mullins gave him at Cheltenham (it was very good in my opinion as well) but I think he would have won regardless based on the way he quickened away after the last it left the impression he was the best horse on the day regardless of the good ride. Throw in the facts it’s much easier make the running here at Aintree then the old course at Cheltenham. Flooring Porter is banker material, once he behaves himself!

Paul has picked out the following bets for Race 4 👇🏼

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4:15PM Betway Handicap Chase

Empire Steel comes into this on the back of a disappointing 2nd of 4 last time out but that was an inadequate test of speed. He was caught for toe and rallied to the line, I’m happy to put a line through the run. He was much better the time before off of 139 and he races off of stiff 147 here. But the track suits his racing style and it’s not a strong race, plenty come in here having disappointed last time and at the odds Empire Steel has enough going for him.

The selection is an exposed 9 year old but he bounced back to his best at Cheltenham last time, blinkers were applied that day and they worked in spades. He was headed a long way out but kept rallying all the way to the line to finish a decent 3rd. His run style suits here and at a big price I’m hoping the blinkers work again and that this doesn’t come too soon. His price is big enough to compensate those fears.

Paul has picked out the following bets for Race 5 👇🏼

5:15PM Randox Grand National Handicap Chase

It’s safe to say Delta Work has had a very poor year for his standards. His trainer reached for cheekpieces two starts back in the hope that they would freshen him up, but they didn’t. What has seemed to freshen him up is the novelty of the cross country course at Cheltenham. The likes of Tiger Roll and Cause of Causes have taken in the cross country before big efforts in The National and I can see history repeating itself again with Delta Work. He has the close to shoulder a heavy weight against this level of opposition and I’m hopeful that this unique test will continue to bring a return to form.

You don’t have to be a mind reader to see that this horse has been campaigned with one race in mind all year. Discorama comes here 1 lb lower then when a decent 7th in this last year. That effort deserves marking up as he didn’t settle fully and paid for it late on having looked to be a big player at one stage. Its interesting cheekpieces go on here considering that. He’s a much bigger price this year then when 7th last year. Knowing he handles the test is a plus too and he will do me as a E/W bet in what is a brilliant spectacle.

Paul has picked out the following bets for The Grand National 👇🏼

📅   When is Day 3 of the Aintree Grand National Festival? / Saturday, 9th April from 13:45pm
🏟   Where is Day 3 of the Aintree Grand National Festival? / Aintree Racecourse
📺   What TV channel is Day 3 of the Aintree Grand National Festival? / ITV & STV