*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
13:45 – Remastered & Party Business
I like Remastered for David Pipe, who has a good record in the race. He won it in 2018 with Mr Big Shot. Remastered ran here in November and he was only beaten by a length. That form has held up. He fell four our in the Ladbrokes Trophy but it looked like he was going to win. That was off a mark of 146 and he’s now 133.
I’m also keen on Ian Williams’ Party Business. He was hampered by fallers at Cheltenham but he ran on really well to finish fifth. It was an incredible run. Some of his form this year is good and his win at Ascot in December is solid.
14:25 – Good Risk At All
Three Stripe Life deserves to be favourite but I’m taking him on with Good Risk At All, who is a good price. When you look into his form, it’s all held up. His rating underestimates his jumping ability. He’s a big price and I’m hoping his jumping holds up.
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15:00 – Gentleman De Mee (Betting Without Edwardstone)
Edwardstone is class but I can’t back him at his current price. Most people will also know that I don’t like Third Time Lucki. That leaves Gentleman De Mee, who has been solid on his last couple of starts, winning at Thurles and Navan. If you can get Gentleman De Mee in the Betting Without Edwardstone market at around evens, I’d get on that.
15:35 – Thyme Hill
Flooring Porter beat Thyme Hill at Cheltenham and he ran a brilliant race. He deserved to win. However, Aintree is a little different to Cheltenham and I feel Thyme Hill could reverse the form. I’d be surprised if Tom O’Brien lets Danny Mullins dictate as much on Saturday. Just because of the prices, I’ll side with Thyme Hill over Flooring Porter but I’m not super confident.
16:15 – Tea Clipper
I’ll stick with Tea Clipper, who I fancied for the Ultima at Cheltenham. He showed enough that day but his jumping probably cost him a bit. He was a bit fiddly over some of them. This Aintree trip on better ground should really suit him. He’s been dropped 1lb after his Cheltenham run which always helps.
17:15 – Mighty Thunder, Fortescue, Discorama & Top Ville Ben
I like Mighty Thunder for Lucinda Russell. His form this year hasn’t been great but he’s now had a wind operation. He won the Scottish National last year and if the wind op works, he’s a great price. He’s at the lower end of the weights too.
Henry Daly’s Fortescue is also worth a shout. He’s 4lbs well in after winning at Ascot last time out. That was a real stamina test and he outstayed Fiddlerontheroof. He has a solid record over fences and he’s improving. Henry is in good form too.
Discorama is a big price. He didn’t have the ideal preparation last year when running at Cheltenham before the Grand National. He travelled and jumped well but he just weakened late on. Who knows whether it was stamina or a lack of match practice. I’m hoping it was the latter. He’s better prepped this year and the price is great.
Top Ville Ben is a wild price. He has some good form previously but he has fallen a few times in his career. He was third at Wetherby on Boxing Day, won at Lingfield in January and finished second at Haydock in February.
18:20 – Leave Of Absence
I like Leave Of Absence for Chris Gordon. He’s in fine form and Leave Of Absence has won at Kempton and Newbury this year. Maybe I’m overthinking it and I should just back a Willie Mullins runner!
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Frank Hickey’s Saturday Aintree tips
13:45 EFT Construction Handicap Hurdle – Remastered & Party Business
14:25 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle – Good Risk At All
15:00 Maghull Novices’ Chase – Gentleman De Mee (Betting Without Edwardstone)
15:35 Liverpool Hurdle – Thyme Hill
16:15 Betway Handicap Chase – Tea Clipper
17:15 Grand National – Mighty Thunder, Fortescue, Discorama & Top Ville Ben
18:20 Wetherby’s National Hunt Flat – Leave Of Absence
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