Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Aintree Grand National Festival Day 3 Tips
SATURDAY RACING TIPS
Aintree 1.20 – Premier Handicap Hurdle
Bill Joyce (8/1) has a tongue tie for the first time and is up in trip – there is plenty to like about that combination.
He’s enjoyed a really good season, including a very good third in the Challow Hurdle, and could be off a really nice mark.
With the step up in trip likely to suit, he should go very well.
Megan’s Tips: Bill Joyce EW
Aintree 1.55 – Mersey Novices' Hurdle
You have to give utmost respect to Lulamba (11/10 fav), providing Cheltenham hasn’t left its mark.
He did everything right in the Triumph, bar winning, and this track will be more suitable.
Lulamba also gets weight off his elders on an official rating that leaves him a very worthy favourite.
The short turnaround is a mild concern as we saw plenty of horses not back up their runs on day one – but I do think Lulamba will be very hard to beat still.
Megan’s Tip: Lulamba WIN
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Aintree 2.30 – Handicap Chase
BetMGM is paying five places on this race and it’s very open in that regard.
I’ve come down on Docpickedme (8/1).
The favourite, Myretown (3/1 fav) is up 15lbs after he bolted up in the Ultima and, while he was wildly impressive, 15lbs is a lot and he’ll face very different conditions here.
Docpickedme was good at Doncaster last time and I actually thought the track at Aintree would suit him better.
I expect him to go really well here, albeit you have to massively respect Myretown on that Cheltenham win.
Megan’s Tips: Docpickedme EW
Aintree 3.05 – Liverpool Hurdle
Teahupoo (9/4 fav) really deserves to win this.
He ran another cracker in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and has had a light campaign so far meaning he should still have plenty left in the tank.
Unlike some of his rivals, he’s got the proven stamina for this trip too. He looks the safe option and I’m expecting another big run.
Either way, I’ll throw a few quid on Monmiral (33/1). He’s missed Cheltenham but I don’t think he’ll be disgraced.
Megan’s Tip: Teahupoo WIN; Monmiral EW
Aintree 4.00 – Grand National
I’ve picked out several each-way selections for the big race, which you can check out in in more detail on my runner-by-runner guide here.
And remember: BetMGM is paying six places on the Grand National so it’s all to play for!
Aintree 5.00 – Maghull Novices' Chase
L’eau Du Sud (11/8 fav) will be hard to beat here. He ran a huge race in the Arkle and looked as if he was going to win. He enhanced his reputation there.
Again it’s just a case of finding out if he’s over that race but, if he is, he should be very hard to beat and can give the Skeltons another big winner as trainer Dan seeks the trainers’ title.
Only By Night (13/8) was ahead of him at Cheltenham but I think Harry Skelton will hold on to his mount a bit longer this time and that should see him reverse the placings.
Megan’s Tip: L’eau Du Sud WIN
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