My Grand National tip and 1-2-3-4 prediction

TODAY is the day when many of those who rarely have a bet on a horse race do so.

Oh yes, it’s Grand National day.

For purists, the Randox Grand National —live on ITV at 4,00 — is a very different race to the one it once was.

The field is smaller, the fences easier to brush through. The test has changed. It’s much, much easier.

But for the general public that doesn’t really matter.

There aren’t many of the population who have not grown up having a go at trying to find the winner of the Grand National.

You pick your horse, you take your chance. It’s a bit of fun. Family’s coming together to watch warriors doing battle. Gladiators ready!

So into battle we go.

Just over a year ago I AM MAXIMUS hacked up in the Grand National and looked like a horse who could easily go a win the big race again this year.

Since that day at Aintree, Willie Mullins’ grand gelding has been relatively hopeless, doing nothing in two runs in Grade 1s at Leopardstown.

He’s up to 167 from 159 which means he has to hump 11st 12lb to succeed again but I don’t think 8lb more would have stopped him 12 months ago and I’m happy to keep the faith I Am Maximus will follow up under Paul Townend.

VANILLIER has been here before, finishing second to Corach Rambler in 2023 when rated 147 and 14th last year off 151.

His mark this time is back to the 147 of 2023 which clearly gives him an each-way chance especially after his eye-catching third in the Cross-Country at Cheltenham when he might have won had he not nearly taken the wrong course!

MINELLA COCOONER has been nibbled at in ante-post lists and is the mount of Johnny Burke again for Mullins.

His third to Intense Raffles in the 2024 Irish National makes him interesting and that was on heavy ground.

He seemed to love a better surface when landing the race we all know as the Whitbread at Sandown this time last year and, while 6lb higher here, he might have a squeak.

MINELLA INDO probably needs a miracle at the age of 12 to land this, but he was a fine third last year and, of course, brings in the back class of being a Cheltenham Gold Cup hero.

He hasn’t done much recently but it’s clear trainer Henry De Bromhead has laid out for this and he’s a massive price.

So there you have it. My first four for the Grand National are:

1 I Am Maximus
2 Vanillier
3 Minella Cocooner
4 Minella Indo

People will say it is all about the National today — and they are right but there is a decent supporting cast in the other races at Aintree.

The day gets underway with the 22-runner William Hill Handicap Hurdle over three miles.

PUSH THE BUTTON (1.20) is interesting at 16-1 after a huge run at a massive price at Cheltenham from off the pace.

He eventually finished sixth behind Wodhooh in the Martin Pipe and the step up to this trip is ideal.

I’ll be stunned if LULAMBA (1.55) doesn’t win the Grade 1 Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle.

The runner-up in the Triumph Hurdle gets 10lb from the older horses and his run at Cheltenham will have taught him a lot.

I’m a HAPPYGOLUCKY (2.30) fella in the William Hill Handicap Chase.

Mel Rowely’s runner won this off a mark of 149 in 2021 and is back rated on 139 after a decent run behind Myretown in the Ultimate at Cheltenham.

STRONG LEADER (3.05) can defend his crown in the Grade 1 Ivy Liverpool Hurdle. Conditions are spot-on for him.

Olly Murphy’s big gun has been disappointing since winning in a very tough Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury back in December — but decent ground and a Flat track are what he likes.

It’s the big ‘un at next — but we have a Grade 1 after it with the two-mile Maghull Novices’ Chase.

L’EAU DU SUD (5.00) is the one for me in this.

But I will try and have a word with David Power Cup king Harry Skelton to tell him to drop the horse in and come late.

I don’t think he likes being up with the pace.

I’m sure Harry won’t mind on the day he picks up his trophy — and the tasty £500,000 winners’ cheque that goes with it!

Yeeehaaaa, Harry!

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