Grand National tips: my heart says Many Clouds but Gallant Oscar / Boston Bob = good outsiders

Last month I popped in to ride out at Oliver Sherwoods yard in Lambourn and said hello to the legend that is Many Clouds, who won last years Grand National. He is very well and will carry my emotional support and some money. But he is the favourite, so you won't get better than 8-1 I suspect.

I think lower weighted horses like Druids Nephew and Boston Bob are very good each way bets at more attractive odds. If you want a long shot then Gallant Oscar appeals. But I will be cheering for Many Clouds.

Grand National Tips - Shutthefrontdoor a worthy favourite for AP but others are better odds

Somehow I have agreed to go campaigning during the big race this coming Saturday, but at race time I will be stopping and heading for a TV to watch. APs horse is a worthy favourite: an Irish National winner with a touch of class and a reasonable weight - and he has been set out for this race. Expect him to start a very hot favourite - both because he is the bet of the race - and because of the AP factor. The great man retires if he wins. For my money it is written in the stars, although you don't back a horse on the day at the odds this fellow will be. I have a bet at 10-1 each way from a while back, but I fear he will start at odds of around 3-1 on the day which is crazy odds for a race like the Grand National where anything can happen. There are 30 fences, some horses don't take to the place, and hot favourites have been knocked over or brought down in the past. My dad rode in the race in the 1960's and himself was brought down at Bechers second time round!
http://www.grand-national.me.uk/

Each Way prospects to appeal on the day:
- Balthazar King will go very close: he was second in the 2014 Grand National and based on that performance you’d expect him to go close again. Raised a few pounds by the handicapper for the 2015 renewal that shouldn’t be a major concern for this smart chaser, who again has been prepared with this race in mind. Very likely to make the frame.
- The Druids Nephew; I always prefer horses with less than 11 stone on their back, who are progressive, and I like The Druids Nephew who fits the bill, at good odds; the Neil Mulholland trained eight year old was superb in winning at the Cheltenham Festival. Will go close with a clear round and worth an each way punt.

If you want an outsider at long odds: Dolatulo has an outside chance

Big Shu is my 25-1 each way tip for Saturday's Grand National. Walkon a good outsider

For those who do not know before becoming an MP I was an amateur steeplechase jockey, and racing journalist. And while that gives no guarantee of success
I pick the Irish 25-1 shot Big Shu to land the odds in the National.

Everyone knows you need a great jumper, and Big Shu certainly fits the bill, having won over the towering fences of the Cheltenham Cross Country race. He stays and has both a touch of class and a racing weight at 10 stone 8. I spoke to connections of Big Shu last month and know that they have prepared him specially for this race, and that they will be welcoming the recent softening of the ground.

There is a huge gamble on the Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall owned Monbeg Dude, but I have real concerns about his ability to jump round. He always seems to really clout a fence in any race and you cannot do that at Aintree, even with the softening of the fences.

The big dangers in my opinion are Teaforthree, last year’s third and Triolo D’Alene, who won the Hennessy in November relatively easily. I would love to make the case for North Eastern owner Graham Wylie’s top weight Tidal Bay but whilst he is a class act, he has to overcome two vital statistics: no 13-year-old has won since 1923 and no top weight since Red Rum in 1974. Tidal Bay is many things, but he is no Red Rum. 

If you want an outsider then I think that Alan King’s Walkon, must go well at a massive 50-1.But I still think Big Shu is the bet of the day and he will carry my £10 each way. A longer version of this blog will appear in tomorrows Journal. I still have not hung my boots up yet and will hope to race at Liverpool one day.
So my forecast is:
1. Big Shu
2. Teaforthree
3. Triolo D’Alene
4. Walkon

On His Own will win Grand National for the North East on Saturday

On His Own to beat Seabass and Cappa Bleu on Saturday are my tips.
Graham Wylie, formerly of Sage and now turning Close House, in Heddon on the Wall, into a world class golf and hotel resort, owns the Willie Mullins trained On His Own and he is my confident pick to take home the prize for Graham.
Last year On His Own was cantering when he tipped up at Bechers second time round and with an extra year's experience under his belt I feel he will triumph on Saturday at 4.15. On His Own also has Willie Mullins as his trainer and the Irish wizard is on demon form this year. My selection has only 11 stone on his back, which is a nice racing weight.
I would dearly like to see Katie Walsh win the National as the first female jockey and she carried this blog's hopes and money last year. But the handicapper has given Seabass 11 stone 6 pounds this year and I just do not see him winning under that weight. He will be sure to be placed as he barely touched a twig last year and Katie is a good jockey.
Cappa Bleu is another seasoned campaigner who likes Liverpool and I see him making the frame as well.

As always with betting remember there are 3 betting windows in the bookmakers and only 1 pay window. For my part I would rather be riding but I will have some money down for sure.

Grand National Days

As a child I was always fixated by the Grand National - having been brought up on tales of my dad riding in it in the mid 1960's.
I am fond of a punt and I have been tipping the horse "State of Play" all week each way.
However, the pressure was on this morning when I was asked to
a). give the speech at the European Womens Coffee Morning in Corbridge, and
b). give my tip for todays race
One of our most famous members Olive immediately announced she was putting the money down that morning.
Hoping State of Play was feeling well I drove south down into the beautiful Allen Valley - it is a raw, sharp beauty down there - full of the biggest skies and the strongest winds - but everyone who lives there loves it. There is a wonderful sense of community. We had an amazing constituency lunch in Allendale, with enough food to feed the 8th Army and a great collectionof people to talk to. Unlike previous Allendale events I was glad not to be asked to make a speech - not least as I did not want the pressure of another tip.

At 4.15 I knew my fate: State of Play led at the second last but faded into fourth - but close enough for the each way punters to recover their stake and make a small profit. Still wished I was riding in it. Maybe one day ...