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David Marshall's Blog, April 10
Grand National day at Aintree and Chepstow meeting
Usual maximum of forty starters and lets hope after the Topham fatalities every non finisher comes home safe and sound.  The ground will be drying come race time so the first fence may be crucial this year.  The overjumping scenario, which is largely dependant on the pace at which they approach the first, my three against the field are Snowy Morning, Maljimar and King Johns Castle, having backed Mon Mome last year, 33’s in January, 66’s morning of race, and winning at 100’s.  I cannot bring myself to back him at this years price, though would not be surprised by a repeat victory.  Everybody has an opinion, so I am not going to labour mine.

Surely Peddlars Cross cannot lose his unbeaten record at his trainers favourite course in the opener, perhaps the ground may have gone against Bygones of Brid.  Only Osana represents the Arkle form in the novice, I know Noble Alan tumbled on his last visit here but his jumping was electric at Ayr, and as we have seen already this week,the Mildmay course takes no prisoners, ground to suit I take the grey to win.  Another grey Zaynar looks to have found the perfect race for him, though I am surprised the giant Quwetwo is such a generous price in comparison to his Kelso victim.  Be interesting to see who Malton trainer John Quinn booked first for his three runners, who are all in with a shout in the handicap hurdle which follows the National, another to consider is the free going Palomar who could get the required good gallop and plenty of cover with the large field.  There is a cracking bumper to close the three day festival, where over a third of the field are unbeaten.

With the ground drying out I presume all obstacles are to be jumped at Chepstow, the groundstaff have certainly earned their corn this winter and with better underfoot conditions I will be interested to see any money for Lyster in the divided handicap hurdle for David Evans.  Going to give Billybo another chance in the staying handicap chase.

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