08/12/18 1:30 Aintree - System

1st Blaklion 9/2 - 60
1st Ultragold 12/1 - 60
1st Highland Lodge 16/1 - 60
2nd Vieux Lion Rogue 11/1 - 50
2nd Don Poli 12/1 - 50
3rd Missed Approach 11/1 - 45

What a tough race this is! all of the horses have scored close, and this is a race where anything can happen.

Blaklion is 5lb higher than when he won this last year, but was brought down in the Grand National this year at the first fence, and then was pulled up next time out. He won this last year by an impressive 9L on heavy ground, and apart from being brought down last year, he was 4th in 2017 in the National. He jumps these fences very well, and he has to have claims again, My worry would be that he won this last year after having a run already, this year he hasn't had that.

Ultragold loves the fences here, and has won the Topham twice and come 2nd in the Grand Sefton. The biggest worry would be 2 things, one is that he has never done well above 2m 5f. In fact distances beaten 3 miles and above are 26l, 22l, 8l, 3l. the biggers distances are the most recent. Plus he is racing off his highest mark. It will be interesting to see how he goes. If he gets the distance he will go close. But it is a big IF.

Always thought Highland Lodge would win a National, in fact i backed him for this years one, but he has been off nearly a year after coming 3rd in this race. He loves it here with a 8, 1, 2, 3, in this race.  His last ever win was in this race and he is 3lb higher in the handicap than then, but he is also 12 now. His age would be against him, and the fact he has been off for so long although his stats coming back after at least 200 days off are 1, 2, 5, 7, 2, 3.

Don Poli is another who has been off for a long time 664 days to be precise, plus top weight. Its a tough tough ask. He has the ability and class but i think he will need this. Would be surprised to see him make the top 3, but if he does then i would be backing him for the National. I think connections would be hoping for a clear round.

Vieux Lion Rogue is only 4lb higher than when winning this race back in 2016. He is 4lb lower than when coming 7th in this last year, and he came 9th in the National. So he jumps these fences well. He has had a wind op and wears a tngue tie. He interests me. When he won this in 2016, it came off a break as well. I do not think you can ignore him. 

Sam Waley-Cohen loves riding over the National fences. I am not a particular fan of his style, but he rides these fences very well, and to see him on Missed Approach is certainly worth noting. Missed Approach is only 8, but he has proved himself over marathon trips. He also won the Kim Muir in March. He is back after a break and although has won off a break before, he does tend to need it, however i have noticed that sometimes horse can do very well over the National Fences when encountering them for the first time. He could be interesting.

This is so tough, i genuinly do not know which horse to go for. I think i will go for Blaklion as we know he stays, Missed Approach i think will run a corker at ew price though. Ultragold needs to get the distance but he could well be there. Vieux Lion Rogue is also another cracking ew bet, and i think if the wind op works then he has big claims.

My Selection: Blaklion 9/2 (Missed Approach and Vieux Lion Rouge 11/1 as great ew bets)