Galia Des Liteaux and Harry Skelton © Photo Healy Racing
The Randox Grand National is dominated by Irish-trained runners with 26 of the 34 declared set to line-up in the four and a quarter miles million pounds spectacular at 4pm this afternoon.
There may be just eight representing the home team but they pack a punch and I think Galia Des Liteaux represents decent each-way value at around 25/1.
Dan Skelton has few peers when it comes to targeting big race handicaps and the daughter of Saddler Maker ran a fine trial for this when runner-up over 3m5f at Warwick earlier this year.
She gets in off a light weight and another I would add to the ‘National portfolio’ is Panda Boy
His trainer Martin Brassil has already tasted Grand National success back in 2006 with Numbersixvalverde and, having finished second in the valuable Paddy Power Chase at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting, looks like his season has been geared with today in mind.
There have been seven Irish-trained winners on the opening two days of the Aintree Festival and hopefully that tally can be added to this afternoon. Brighterdaysahead is now an odds-on shot for the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (at 1.55) in the absence of Caldwell Potter and the Gordon Elliott-trained mare will be suited by this step up to two and a half miles.
Stablemate Sire Du Berlais bids to land the JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (3.05) for a third successive year but the veteran has plenty on his plate here with the likes of Flooring Porter Hiddenvalley Lake and Hewick all in opposition. Found A Fifty runner-up to Gallic Warrior in the Arkle at Cheltenham last month, is another fancied Elliott runner in the My Pension Expert Maghull Novices’ Chase (5.00).
