It’s the third and final day of the Aintree Grand National Festival and I hope it’s finally time for me to get a winner in the big race.
I’ve lost more Grand Nationals than any jockey, which isn’t a nice record to have, and I would love to put that right on Saturday.
I haven’t ridden in this race for a couple of years as I always want to ride one that has a chance.
With Rock The Kasbah, we feel like we have a reall contender.
13:45 GASKELLS HANDICAP HURDLE
I ride Keeper Hill 20/1 in the opening handicap hurdle.
He ran a decent race in the Stayers’ at Cheltenham, but wasn’t quite good enough that day.
I thought he travelled nicely, but just got a bit outpaced when they turned the pressure on.
It was a decent effort and he comes here with the ability to run a good race off his mark.
He’s a big price but he definitely has an each-way chance.
14:25 BETWAY MERSEY NOVICES' HURDLE
Brewin’upastorm 5/2 is probably my best ride of the day.
He ran really well at Cheltenham to finish fourth, but he didn’t quite seem to get up the hill as well as we hoped he would.
Hopefully a flat two-and-a-half around Aintree should be ideal and I think he has a fantastic chance.
15:00 MAGHULL NOVICES' CHASE
I sat on Lalor 4/1 earlier this week and he seems really well at home.
We need to put that Cheltenham effort behind us, because nothing came out when we got him home. He just didn’t perform.
He loves Aintree, winning here at the last two Festivals, so we hope he can make it three in a row.
15:40 LIVERPOOL HURDLE
I’ve no ride in the Stayers Hurdle. Apple’s Jade 15/8 has been a star but just didn’t perform at Cheltenham.
She has won here before, so maybe the track just suits her that bit better. I think she still has to be the one to beat.
Sam Spinner 5/1 did really well at Cheltenham when he bounced back to some form and I think it will be between those two.
If the ground is really testing, I’d be siding with Sam Spinner.
16:20 BETWAY HANDICAP CHASE
I won the Betway Handicap Chase last year on Thomas Patrick.
I’m on Springtown Lake 11/1 this time around and I think he has a great chance.
He ran well at Cheltenham, but just got a bit outpaced three out. He’s stepping up in trip, which should suit, and he won’t mind the ground.
I think he is a horse that still has improvement to come.
Debece is a fantastic horse and put in a nice performance here last year. He’s got a good chance, too.
17:15 GRAND NATIONAL
It would be great to finally land the Grand National at the 21st attempt, and I think Rock The Kasbah 16/1 is the right horse for the race.
I was hoping we wouldn’t see as much rain as we have this week, but hopefully by Saturday it will be good-to-soft rather than soft.
He has been trained with this race in mind and we like to think he has everything in his favour.
It’s obviously a very competitive race and Tiger Roll is the correct favourite.
He couldn’t have been more impressive at Cheltenham. He won this last year and is the one we all have to beat.
This race has been the plan for Rock The Kasbah since December and Philip Hobbs' horses couldn’t be in better form.
18:20 PINSENT MASONS HANDICAP HURDLE
This is a race for amateur jockeys, but I won on Flashing Glance 11/1 last time.
He will definitely be suited by the ground and a fast race. He stays well and has a chance in a very open race.
He has the right attitude and it might just suit him.
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