05/04/19 The Grand National 5:15 Aintree - System

1st Tiger Roll 7/2 - 100
2nd Don Poli 125/1 - 70
3rd Go Conquer 50/1 - 60
3rd One For Arthur 28/1 - 60
4th Magic Of Light 125/1 - 55
4th Vieux Lion Rouge 50/1 - 55
4th Walk In The Mill 14/1 - 55
5th Step Back 25/1 - 50

Obviously i hope the winner is amongst these. I am on 2 myself. I have Tiger Roll at 20/1 and Step Back.

Tiger Roll is going to try and win the National again. In 1997 i fancied a horse called Lord Gyllene to win, he jumped like a stag and he jumped for fun. When he did win, i said he would win another, sadly the 'curse' of the National hit and he just was not right afterwards, and ended his career not long after because of injury. In fact this is a familiar story, winners of the race just never seem to be the same. Only a handful win again after the National, let alone run well in another National. Many Clouds looked like a horse on the up again but he passed away.

Tiger Roll is the first horse since 1997 that i have thought - Maybe!. His last 2 runs have been amazing and he doesn't have a bad weight really. Yes its more than i would have like as he is a little horse and top weight would have been a massive negative. I am happy with my 20/1 i think his price now is too short. If any horse can win again then he has the best chance in recent years, but as we all know, its a lottery.

These blinkers with half cups he has been wearing seems to have brought out a whole new level to him. And he could still be well handicapped based on this. If he brings his Cheltenham form then he will be hard to beat.

Step Back is the other horse i am on. He won so well at Sandown over 3m 5f, with first time cheekpieces. The cheekpieces were off on his seasonal debut and back on in his last race, where he was beaten by some nice horses. He clearly stays, he will prefer the gorund to dry out which it is, he jumps very well. My worry is that he jumps right and Aintree is a left handed course, he cant be doing that around here!. If he gets into the the rhythm he was in at Sandown, then he will have chances. Plus Nico is a favourite of mine so would be nice to see him win.

Don Poli was a shock!!, just been purchased by the Yates, so they could have a runner.  He quite likes it around Aintree though and has won a Grade 1 here. After nearly 2 years off the track he met these fences for the first time in the Bechers in December. He jumped amazingly well, but was pulled up with 2 to go. He comes here much fitter. He could go well. He is a grade 1 winner with massive odds.

Go Conquer is showing himself to be a good long distance horse, hasnt gone this far before though so a bit of an unknown. He jumps pretty well though. he will need it to dry out though.

One For Arthur apparently is back to his old self, and connections are feeling good about his chances. However he needs to jump better, as his 2 runs since have been a disaster. I wouldnt want to back a horse who had been jumping badly before this. But we know he stays and he will like the going.

Need to mention Ultragold, he loves the fences, but has NEVER won over 2m 5f. He went close in the Bechers over 3m 2f. He will probably get around but will be outstayed by a true stayer. Its a shame he is in this, in my view, as he could have won today in the Topham and compelte the hattrick.

I wont go into the others. But i would like to think the winner is named. Whatever happens though, i hope all runners get back safely. And remember, anything can happen in the race. you may be on the best horse, but the best may not be good enough, and that's what makes it a truly great race.

My Selection: Tiger Roll 7/2 - Don Poli 125/1 could be a nice ew