Six horses to follow at the Randox Grand National Festival

There’s a fantastic few days of racing action in store on Racing TV this week, with the three-day Randox Grand National Festival, which gets underway on Thursday, taking centre stage.

The highlight of the meeting is, of course, the £1-million Randox Grand National on the final day, and I have picked out six horses, including one in the world’s greatest steeplechase, to note across the three days who are worth keeping on side. Best of luck.

Trainer: Nick Kent.

Race:SSS Super Alloys Manifesto Novices’ Chase - (1.45pm, Thursday)

This doesn’t look the strongest Grade One contest on paper, with Pic D’Orhy the highest-rated contender on 154 and the 135-rated Jacamar is also among the runners.

However, the one that stands out is the ultra-progressive Erne River. Trained by Nick Kent, who is on course to enjoy a career-best season, the seven-year-old is unbeaten in two starts over fences and he defeated subsequent Hillhouse Quarry hero Beakstown on his chasing debut at Doncaster before cruising to success at Wetherby in February on testing ground.

The ground is good to soft, at the time of writing, and that should not prove an issue plus he looks open to stacks more improvement.

It’s also a huge ride for Charlie Hammond who, along with Kent, is chasing his first Grade One winner.

Trainer: Willie Mullins.

Race:Betway Bowl Chase - (2.55pm, Thursday)

Kemboy’s victory in the 2019 renewal of this contest was nothing short of spectacular. Ridden by Ruby Walsh on that occasion, he cruised to a nine-length victory over Clan Des Obeaux before giving Walsh the perfect send-off to his career with success in the Punchestown Gold Cup a month later.

The ten-year-old has only tasted success once – in last year’s Irish Gold Cup - from 12 subsequent starts but he was not disgraced when third in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown in December, although disappointed when only fifth in this year’s Irish Gold Cup.

However, the return to Aintree makes him of serious interest. The flat, galloping nature of the track clearly suits and despite his advancing years, he has shown enough this year to suggest he can still serve it up to the likes of Clan Des Obeaux, Conflated and Protektorat.

Moreover, the fact that connections have saved Kemboy for this assignment further adds to the confidence that he can put up a bold show here.

Trainer: Sam Thomas.

Race:Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase - (4.40pm, Thursday)

This could be a defining week for Sam Thomas with the former Gold Cup-winning rider set to unleash his leading lights at Aintree.

However, the one that really stands out is Before Midnight. A dual winner already this season, he was pitched in at the deep end when last of four behind Shishkin in the Desert Orchid Chase at Doncaster before he ran a race full of promise to finish second to subsequent Game Spirit winner and Champion Chase runner-up Funambule Sivola at Doncaster.

Any further rain would dent his chances as he was pulled out of the Grand Annual due to the testing ground at the Cheltenham Festival, but arrives here a very fresh horse and is therefore one to keep on side.

Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies.

Race:EFT Construction Handicap Hurdle - (1.45pm, Saturday)

Beauport would be a leading player for this event if connections decide to run. Progressive last season, he finished the year with a Graded win at Sandown and came back this season to finish second on his first three starts.

However, the six-year-old then deservedly got his head in front at Uttoxeter on Midlands National Day where he kept on strongly to score. Stamina really is his main asset, and I think the step up to three miles here should see him in a better light.

Trainer: Nicky Henderson.

Race:Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle - (2.25pm, Saturday)

Second in a bumper at Kempton on debut, Walking On Air highlighted his credentials as one of the most exciting novice hurdlers around when powering to an emphatic 13-length success at Newbury on his hurdling debut in January.

Reportedly slow to come to hand, connections decided to bypass Cheltenham and instead head to Aintree with a thoroughly unexposed youngster.

With Ballymore runner-up Three Stripe Life, County Hurdle third Colonel Mustard and Sidney Banks heroine Elle Est Belle all likely runners, this will be no easy task.

However, he clearly has stacks of ability and he is taken to pass the stiffest test to date.

Trainer: Martin Brassil.

Race:Randox Grand National - (5.15pm, Saturday)

No Aintree preview is complete without a Grand National selection! This year’s race is again stacked full of quality and close attention must be paid to Any Second Now and Escaria Ten, the Bobbyjo Chase one-two.

The former, who is a general 8-1 chance, was a very unlucky third in the race last year, but this will be no easy task carrying 11st 8lb, whilst Escaria Ten is undoubtedly interesting off 11st 1lb.

However, I also like the chances of Longhouse Poet. He is trained by a master in Martin Brassil who famously won the race in 2006 with Numbersixvalverde and his contender has followed a similar path to the former National winner having won the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park.

Although he was arguably disappointing to finish seventh in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan in February, that run should have left him spot on for this assignment.

He remains thoroughly unexposed over fences after just six runs and while his stamina is not guaranteed, he has shaped as if a marathon trip could suit.