Harry Allwood's Grand National tips plus other Aintree bets

Race: 1.20pm - William Hill Handicap Hurdle. 

Best odds: 5-1.

West Balboa has always been held in high regard by the Skelton team having run in the Challow Novices' Hurdle on just her second start under rules in 2021, and it was hoped she'd develop into a Graded performer in open company, but she endured almost a year off the track after that outing before being given a handicap campaign last season.

That proved to be a successful mission as the mare showed a great attitude to win the Lanzarote Hurdle on soft ground before winning this race on her next start off a rating of 135, and she now finds herself on a 6lb higher mark.

She cruised to victory at this track on her return this season before disappointing in the Long Walk Hurdle (which she was sent off the 3-1 favourite for) where she raced keenly, so could never land a blow, and Dan Skelton's charge has also run a shade disappointingly on her two outings since.

However, I would be surprised if this race hasn't been the plan for the past few months, and she caught the eye with the way she stayed on towards the finish over 2m5f last time out when not given the hardest time under pressure. She was also dropped another pound following that outing.

The manner of her victory 12 months ago certainly suggests she's capable of scoring again off a rating of 141, and she's sure to be primed for this contest. The ground conditions won't be a problem for her, either, and the Skelton team continue in top form.

If she is back to her best here, then she could take all the beating, with Kateira's win on Friday also boosting confidence.

Race: 2.30pm - William Hill Handicap Chase.

Best odds: 4-1.

Crebilly has caught the eye in defeat a couple of times this season, including when a staying-on second in the Plate at the Cheltenham Festival last time out, although his jumping has let him down on occasions.

That hasn't stopped Jonjo O'Neill's charge producing a high level of form, though, and he's certainly shown enough to suggest he's capable of winning a handicap off a rating of 143. 

There's plenty of stamina in his pedigree, and it is wise to believe this step up to 3m1f will unlock further improvement, especially as he shaped as though further was needed when last seen.

I'm hoping this trip may help his jumping, too, and he relishes soft ground, so conditions are ideal for him here. 

A smart hurdler last season, the seven-year-old should have more to offer over fences and it's hard to see him not going close.

Race: 4.00pm - Randox Grand National.

Best odds: 12-1.

This race has been Panda Boy's target all season and he ticks plenty of boxes in Saturday's Randox Grand National.

The Irish raider has some strong form in valuable handicaps next to his name having finished placed in the past two renewals of the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown, and was not beaten far when fifth behind I Am Maximus in last year's Irish Grand National.

Visually, it looked as though his stamina emptied late on in the Fairyhouse feature, but he only got as far as the fifth fence in his prep run, and that appeared to take its toll after the second last as he'd travelled well up until that point on what was essentially his first outing for over three months.

He's stayed on nicely on his past couple of outings over an extended three miles plus also wore cheekpieces (which he wears again on Saturday) on both of those occasions, and that appears to have brought out more improvement in him. 

He was defeated by Meetingofthewaters two starts ago, but is now 11lb better off with that rival, and Panda Boy would not have been at his very best on that occasion, with connections having one eye on the Grand National this year. 

He's also at the right end of the weights (connections ran him over hurdles last time out to protect his chase mark) and a big run is expected for a trainer who does so well in this type of race.

Race: 4.00pm - Randox Grand National.

Best odds: 11-1.

Although Corach Rambler won this race with relative ease last year, had Vanillier raced closer to the pace, then he could have made it interesting as he finished the race off strongly, and was closing on the idling winner towards the line.

He was also given a patient ride on that occasion, which gave him plenty of ground to make up, but I wouldn't be surprised if he raced prominently this time around, especially on softer ground. 

The nine-year-old also looked a natural over the National fences 12 months ago and races off just a 4lb higher mark on Saturday. 

Gavin Cromwell has aimed his talented grey, who landed the Albert Bartlett in 2021, at this race since he crossed the line last year, and while he was beaten with ease by I Am Maximus last time out, I wouldn't take that form literally as it turned into an attritional contest which was run over a minute above standard. 

I doubt Vanillier was at his peak in that race, anyway, and the vibes from his handler have been positive this week. 

With a clear round, he should be involved in the finish again.