Horse Racing Tips: Paddy’s Pundits’ Epic Cheat Sheet for Aintree Grand National Day

WEST BALBOA has won at Aintree twice and was a dominant winner of this race last season. Ground conditions will not be a problem.

CUTHBERT DIBBLE (each-way) is an improver and despite a 1lb hike for for third place in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham should have an each-way chance at least.

I’ll go with a couple of bigger-priced runners JOHNSONS BLUE and HONOR GREY against the well-handicapped West Balboa.

WEST BALBOA drops to a mark of 141 and has a good chance.

Stablemates WEST BALBOA and Gwennie May Boy boast good credentials. The former doesn’t look badly treated off a mark 6 lb higher compared to when winning this in good style last year.

FINE MARGIN’S Haydock run puts him in the driving seat. His last run was too bad to be true and he can bounce back off this light weight.

A high profile purchase at the sales CALDWELL POTTER’S form looks good and ground conditions are fine for him as he makes his debut for Paul Nicholls.

ILE ATLANTIQUE was behind the re-opposing Jimmy Du Seuil when third to Ballyburn in the Baring Bingham at Cheltenham but can reverse the form.

BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD has enormous potential and there is little on ratings between her and former stablemate Caldwell Potter.

JIMMY DU SEUIL ran really well at Cheltenham and looks overpriced.

The step up to 2m 4f could see CALDWELL POTTER in an even better light and he can prove just too strong for his half-sister and former stablemate Brighterdaysahead.

CALDWELL POTTER comes here fresh and looks the class act with a Grade 1 win under his belt already.

KINONDO KWETU (each-way) has a good record at the track and was third in this race last year. The drier the ground the better his chance.

CRUZ CONTROL (each-way) stays well and goes in deep ground and is improving so must have a chance for Tom Lacey and Stan Sheppard.

FORWARD PLAN could be the value pick and his running style is perfect for Aintree. The handicapper hasn’t a hold of him yet.

CREBILLY will appreciate the step up in trip to 3m 1f after a good run at the Festival over shorter.

THE KING OF RYHOPE travelled sweetly before making a chance-ending blunder in an Ascot Grade 2 a couple of months ago. Dan Skelton’s low-mileage eight-year-old should be bang there back in handicap company.

TWIG ran a stormer at Cheltenham and that form looks strong. He can gain compensation.

STRONG LEADER ran very well at this venue last year finishing second in a Grade 1 contest over 2 miles. He’s taken a big step up in distance since but can out-run his odds.

This is up for grabs. There should be a good pace on, so I’ll give CRAMBO another chance although he was hopeless at Cheltenham and he needs to step up big time.

I didn’t fancy CRAMBO at Cheltenham (and he ran poorly) but he will shape better after that run. Aintree should suit him better but he’s a tentative pick.

FLOORING PORTER can get back to winning ways and has the best form on offer.

FLOORING PORTER is taken to land this prize for the first time following a mighty effort in the Stayers’ Hurdle.

MONKFISH is worth another chance. His Galmoy win was impressive and it was a big ask in the Gold Cup. An early mistake took him out of the race.

My four against the field in the Grand National are MEETINGOFTHEWATERS, CORACH RAMBLER, NOBLE YEATS and PANDA BOY.

The Grand National is Irish dominated and my four against the field are:  I AM MAXIMUS NOBLE YEATS, MEETINGOFTHEWATERS and VANNILLER.

In the Grand National it’s PANDA BOY, MEETINGOFTHEWATERS and GALIA DES LITEAUX that are my three against the field and the tricast!

CAPADANNO (each-way) has had a better prep this season and can improve on last year’s showing in the Grand National.

MAHLER MISSION has been kept fresh since a fine second in the Coral Gold Cup last Autumn. The way he jumped/travelled that day marked him down as one who will be well served by the demands of this race.

MEETINGOFTHEWATERS is lightly raced and has a beautiful light weight. He will need to settle but if he does, he can be ahead of his mark.

HERCULE DU SEUIL is a strong traveller and good jumper who will revel in this test.

FOUND A FIFTY chased home Gaelic Warrior in the Arkle and that form was given a huge boost by the impressive Il Etait Temps on Thursday.

NICKLE BACK looks overpriced. He’s already bolted up in a Group 1 this season and he’s been laid out for this.

MATATA (each-way) appeals at a big price on a Flat track after a big run at Cheltenham.

FOUND A FIFTY has been most consistent in the top 2m novice chases this season and can land a second win at the highest level.

QUILIXIOS might as well have been a non-runner at Cheltenham after a bad start. He has high class form and is overpriced.

TRIPOLI FLYER was a good winner at Lingfield when beating the highly thought of Kingston Pride.

MISTER MEGGIT is rumoured to have bled from time to time but he’s bolted up in two wins and looked a special horse at Doncaster last time. And that’s it for Aintree 2024!

MISTER MEGGIT has form on heavy ground and has been kept for this, so he’s a very tentative selection.

MISTER MEGGIT has looked highly talented on both runs to date and could have a lot more to come, so he’s a straightforward choice to maintain his unbeaten record up in grade.

HORACE’S PEARL is two from two and by the great sire,  Authorised. Fergal O’Brien is having a super season and while this is his second string, he can come out on top.