black rabbit

Hi all,
I'm delighted to say that the latest Punters Lounge podcast episode has been released this afternoon. Our resident horse racing experts @Darran and @The Brigadier have sat down to discuss who they think are the horses to watch in this Saturday's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse. Shout out to @Fadertop-notch for his top notch editing and production work. Check it out below and feel free to share your own thoughts and betting tips ahead of the big race.
 

3rd and 6th ....prob broke even on that so +5.00 on day....fight another day 😁

Unfortunately I will always place my bets when uploading so had to do with 12-1 which is a bit gutting but on the flip side got 5-2 Jonbon, 11-4 Inoutherwayuthinkin and 2-1 Mystical Power (R4) so can't complain 

Bold Endeavour                                                 1 20 Ain/       1/40th of a pt ew     36/1                                     
 
Mr Incredible                                                     4 00 Ain/        1/40th of a pt ew      18/1
Fine Margin                                                        1 20 Ain/        1/40th of a pt ew      25/1
Foxy Jacks                                                           4 00 Ain/        1/40th of a pt ew      80/1
Quilixios                                                              5 00 Ain/        1/40th of a pt ew      16/1

Fantastic Lady                                                    4 05 Ain/                          1/40th of a pt ew       38/1              -6th
Frero Banbou                                                     4 05 Ain/                          1/40th of a pt ew       20/1
Zeeband                                                              5 15 Aim/                         1/40th of a pt ew       18/1
Pikar                                                                     5 15 Ain/                          1/40th of a pt ew       25/1
Jango Baie                                                           2 20 Ain/                           1/40th of a pt ew      14/1             - 2nd
 

dancing city 4.40

frero banbou 4.05

dysart enos 2.55

Ew 6th might ....+5.00

AW selection
Dundalk 7.15
ALTO SAX 

Fantastic Lady                                                    4 05 Ain/                          1/40th of a pt ew       38/1              -6th
Frero Banbou                                                     4 05 Ain/                          1/40th of a pt ew       20/1
Zeeband                                                              5 15 Aim/                         1/40th of a pt ew       18/1
Pikar                                                                     5 15 Ain/                          1/40th of a pt ew       25/1
Jango Baie                                                           2 20 Ain/                           1/40th of a pt ew      14/1             - 2nd
 

Fantastic Lady                                                    4 05 Ain/                          1/40th of a pt ew       38/1              -6th
Frero Banbou                                                     4 05 Ain/                          1/40th of a pt ew       20/1
Zeeband                                                              5 15 Aim/                         1/40th of a pt ew       18/1
Pikar                                                                     5 15 Ain/                          1/40th of a pt ew       25/1
Jango Baie                                                           2 20 Ain/                           1/40th of a pt ew      14/1             - 2nd
 

Aintree 1.20 Grand National day starts with a valuable twenty two runner Premier Handicap Hurdle with a very open look about it. Pertemps Handicap Hurdle winner Monmiral takes on some of those that finished behind him that day with a 6lb rise to contend with. The third that day was Nigel Twiston-Davies’s Cuthbert Dibble, beaten only 3 1/2L and now 5lb better off, which may be enough to turn the form around and he’s the pick on ground that will suit. Dan Skelton fires three arrows at the race with the Harry Skelton ridden West Balboa, who took this last year from a 6lb lower mark and is unbeaten in two starts here probably the pick of the trio. The unexposed handicap debutant Johnnywho from the Jonjo O’Neill stable is another interesting runner in a contest where cases can be made for plenty but I’m sticking with Cuthbert Dibble each way.   CUTHBERT DIBBLE 1 point each way @ 13-2 bet365 1/5th 123456   Aintree 1.55 A field of nine assemble for the 2M 4F Grade 1 Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle. Gordon Elliott’s highly regarded mare Brighterdaysahead heads the market following a creditable 1 3/4L second in the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham to Golden Ace which has already been franked by the victory of the fourth Jade De Grugy in Grade 1 company at Fairyhouse. She looks sure to go well. An ex inmate of Elliott’s, Caldwell Potter may well end up the biggest threat as a Grade 1 winner himself at Leopardstown over Christmas. He’s been bought since at the Caldwell Construction Ltd dispersal for an obscene 740,000 euros and makes his stable debut for Paul Nicholls having missed Cheltenham. Gallaghers Novices’ Hurdle second and third Jimmy Du Seuil and Ile Atlantique, both trained by Willie Mullins add further spice to an intriguing race that can fall to Brighterdaysahead.   BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD 1 point win @ 2-1 BetVictor   Aintree 2.30 Just thirteen line up for this 3M 210 yard Premier Handicap Chase. Jonjo O’Neill’s Crebilly steps up in trip having run well when runner up in the Plate Handicap Chase at Cheltenham although he will need to improve his jumping to take a hand in the finish whilst the Skelton runner The King Of Ryhope showed improved form last time out when fourth of five in the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot, form which ties him in with the runner up that day Kilbeg King. Anthony Honeyball saddles a trio of possibles in Sam Brown (who won this two years ago by 15L), Forward Plan and Kilbeg King who all have claims. At a bigger price I like the look of the bottom weight trained by Venetia Williams in the shape of Denmat. He ran a stormer for a long way in the 3M 2F Kim Muir Handicap Chase when a 33/1 chance on only his third run for Williams under Miss A O’Connor who rode him positively from the front. He weakened two out ending up 9th beaten 36L but the drop to a sharper track and two furlongs less with Charlie Deutsch back in the saddle can pay dividends and he looks a value each way play with an extra place even if it would of been better had Williams had her string in better form.   DEMNAT 1 point each way @ 20-1 bet365 1/5th 1234   Aintree 3.05 A dozen staying hurdlers assemble for the Grade 1 JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle. Gordon Elliott’s veteran Sire Du Berlais has won this event for the last two years and it would be no shock were he to pull the hat trick off for owner J P McManus. He was one of five from this field that ran in the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham 30 days ago with Gavin Cromwell’s Flooring Porter coming out the best of the quintet going down by just under four lengths to the winner Teahupoo with Buddy One (4 1/2L), Sire Du Berlais (7L), Dashel Drasher (10 1/2L) and Crambo (10 3/4L) all behind. Flooring Porter has run well in this race before having finished runner up in 2022 and third last year and he can finally take the contest at the third attempt.   FLOORING PORTER 1 point win @ 7-2 William Hill   Aintree 4.00 A different Grand National with a maximum field of 34 is run over 4M 2F 74 yards and as always looks fiendishly difficult. Last year’s winner and runner up Corach Rambler and Vanillier are back again and both hold chances. With the ground being so soft this year you’re going to need to stay well and the race may fall to one of Willie Mullins’s eight in the shape of I Am Maximus who won the Irish Grand National last season under Paul Townend who is reunited with the eight year old having prepped for this by taking the 3M Bobbyjo Chase in February with Vanillier 14L back in second and now 4lb worse off. He does have his quirks mind but if he takes to the whole experience he may just be too classy for his rivals. John C McConnell’s Mahler Mission looks to have been mapped out for this having not been seen since November and can also go well as he will stay well and loves the mud. The best of the outsiders may well be Delta Work, one of eight trained in the race by Gordon Elliott who was still going ok when unseating eight from home last year. He sports first time blinkers and having been placed in the race two years ago will stay well. Of those at monster prices, Venetia Williams’s Chambard appeals as the sort to run well having shown he handles the fences and heavy ground by winning the Becher Chase last November.   I AM MAXIMUS 1 point each way @ 8-1 Ladbrokes 1/5th 12345 MAHLER MISSION 1 point each way @ 16-1 bet365 1/5th 123456 DELTA WORK 1/2 point each way @ 20-1 Betfred 1/5th 1234567 CHAMBARD 1/4 point each way @ 66-1 Betfred 1/5th 1234567   Aintree 5.00 The valuable Grade 1 Maghull Novices’ Chase is run over 2M and we have ten speedy chasers facing the judge. The favourite and the one they all have to beat is Gordon Elliott’s Found A Fifty. His 8 1/2L second spot in the Arkle at Cheltenham to Gaelic Warrior was given a big boost by the third that day Il Etait Temps winning at Aintree on Thursday. At a price I expect Sarah Humphrey’s Nickle Back to run well as a natural front runner who may well be suited by the track and may get an easy lead. He’s worth a small each way saver. The Willie Mullins trained Hercule Du Seuil is chasing a six timer and can’t be dismissed even though we haven’t seen him since the autumn.   FOUND A FIFTY 1 point win @ 2-1 bet365 NICKLE BACK 1/4 point each way @ 11-1 bet365 1/5th 123   Aintree 5.35 The three day Aintree Grand National finishes with a 2M 1F Grade 2 NH Flat race. The Jonjo O’Neill trained favourite Mister Meggit has won bumpers at Carlisle and Doncaster in the mud without coming off the bridle and literally could be anything. He’s been priced accordingly mind. Emma Lavelle has her string in decent shape and her runner here Ma Shantou can reward an each way wager. Costing a cool £120,000 last December following a third in a Fairyhouse bumper he too made a scintillating British debut when bolting up at Huntingdon last month. It’s hard to know what he beat that day as nothing has run since from the race but I can see him running well under Tom Bellamy. The impression made by Mister Meggit though means he is the main bet although a small each way saver on Ma Shantou is also advised.   MISTER MEGGIT 1 point win @ 9-4 bet365 MA SHANTOU 1/2 point each way @ 7-1 bet365 1/5th 1234  

13:45 Aintree Giovinco 0.5pts E/W @9/1 (2 places) This is such an average race with lots of these making the switch from handicaps which can be a struggle. Giovinco is an interesting angle and might just be the key too this race from so far down in the market. Unlike the rest this horse hasnt been running just in handicaps and are proved in grade 1 races after running an absolute blinder at Cheltenham. This was on similar ground and this course is less testing on the stamina which should help them as well. Iroko is the main danger i feel after their chase debut was so impressive however im not sure how they will be turned out after a poor run last time out!
14:20 Aintree Making Headway 0.5pts E/W @13/2 (6 places) Making Headway made late headway last time out on their handicap debut. They are 1lb lower than that day and this longer trip looks like it should suit them nicely. Their jumping wasnt always brilliant last time out so if they have tidied that up then they can have a real good go here. The ground is not an issue and if taking to this new trip they should be in the picture with alot of extra places being offered here.
14:20 Aintree Champagne Twist 0.5pts E/W @9/1 (6 places) Another one in the second race i like and will most likely be playing is Champagne Twist. This horse loved the longer trip when scoring well last time out and a 7lb raise might not stop them. This yard has been in the form of their life as of late and this horse has been improving with every run. If they can continue this trend they should be somewhere near the front when it gets to the business end of proceedings.
16:05 Aintree Shakem Up'arry 0.5pts E/W @13/2 (6 places) This horse won for me at the festival and i thunk a 6lb rise might end up being a little on the light side. They won well and only came back to the field when they were left alone at the front and started idling a little. This course is a little less demanding on the stamina which might be good for them from a rising mark. This is a wide open race however with the extra places on offer here i think they are going to make a cracking attempt at the hattrick.

4.30 Dundalk - CAPTAIN GALLAGHER 9/2 bet365 . backed in to 13/8 favourite but finished 7th of 9 👎
Another of SERGEI PROKOFIEV'S 1st season sire progeny , he's 3 from 3 so far ( I think ) & this one trained by D.O'Brien .

4.05 Aintree - empire steel 25/1 ew 

Fantastic Lady                                                    4 05 Ain/                          1/40th of a pt ew       38/1              -6th
Frero Banbou                                                     4 05 Ain/                          1/40th of a pt ew       20/1
Zeeband                                                              5 15 Aim/                         1/40th of a pt ew       18/1
Pikar                                                                     5 15 Ain/                          1/40th of a pt ew       25/1
Jango Baie                                                           2 20 Ain/                           1/40th of a pt ew      14/1             - 2nd
 

Having been critical of a race meeting i attended at the weekend,it's only fair to balance the books by commenting on the racing at Aintree today.
It`s probably fair to say that not every one agreed with my comments regarding Uttoxeter on Saturday,but it is what it is,I am however pretty confident however that all die hard Jump racing enthusiasts would agree with me when i say what an outstanding race the 3.30 today was.
To see our equine hero's- willing servants, beauty unsurpassed and strength and grace immeasurable,jumping, quickening,straining every sinue, stretching for the line in a 3 way war- was truly a hairs on the back of the neck moment.Who could have confidently called the winner as these three noble beasts flashed past the line?,not many i would guess.
You see this was racing,real National Hunt racing,(and the previous event with 6 still in a line at the 2nd last wasn't too shabby either),not the survival of the fittest, public flogging of tired horses in attrition and extreme conditions- which we have all had to become accustomed to over the past three months or so.
As to whether the winner should have kept the race?,well that's not for me to say,but the uncertainty added even more drama to the excitement.
If you did manage to back the winner..well done to you!!,if you were on the second or third you will probably feel a little hard done by...
 
...but what a bloody good run you had for your money!

Fantastic Lady                                                    4 05 Ain/                          1/40th of a pt ew       38/1              -6th
Frero Banbou                                                     4 05 Ain/                          1/40th of a pt ew       20/1
Zeeband                                                              5 15 Aim/                         1/40th of a pt ew       18/1
Pikar                                                                     5 15 Ain/                          1/40th of a pt ew       25/1
Jango Baie                                                           2 20 Ain/                           1/40th of a pt ew      14/1             - 2nd
 

Fantastic Lady                                                    4 05 Ain/                          1/40th of a pt ew       38/1              -6th
Frero Banbou                                                     4 05 Ain/                          1/40th of a pt ew       20/1
Zeeband                                                              5 15 Aim/                         1/40th of a pt ew       18/1
Pikar                                                                     5 15 Ain/                          1/40th of a pt ew       25/1
Jango Baie                                                           2 20 Ain/                           1/40th of a pt ew      14/1             - 2nd
 

Stats for the Red Rum Handicap Chase (4.40)
Todays weight 8lbs or more lower than previous run, 8 wins from 37 runs, LSP 128 points
Todays weight less than 10st 11lbs, 7 wins from 51 runs, LSP 103 points
Did not run in a class 1 or 2 race last time, 7 wins from 50 runs, LSP 101 points
This leaves 3, BYTHESAMETOKN (33/1), GUY (28/1) and IRISH BLAZE (14/1)
Did not finish in first 5 last time, 5 from 52, LSP 28 points
This leaves BYTHESAMETOKEN at 33/1 (4 places)
 
 

Ain't 515
I'll try a small ew on Park Princess  33/1 skybet 5places.

13:45 Il Etait Temps 1pt Win @11/4 Although Grey Dawning has been impressive this season and won well at Cheltenham i think there is an angle to take them on here. They are obviously the horse to beat however Il Etait Temps is where i will be siding. Grey Dawning has been known to have some jumping frailties and at odds of even money i think is very very short. Il Etait Temps was underwhelming at Cheltenham however they didnt really travel with any sort of intent and their jumping was uncharacteristically poor. If they can sharpen that back up the step up in trip could prove very effective as they stayed on strongly up the Cheltenham hill late in the day
14:55 Gerri Colombe 1pt win @9/4 As much as i love Shishkin im going to be backing elsewhere here as with the previous Nikki Henderson issues and the complexity of the horse being a major put off. I think the play here is Gerri Colombe who ran very well in the goldcup this year and we know will appreciate the ground and also the distance. These are not real doubts to Shishkin however I think Gerri Colombe could be a class above them and in this staying division they can continue to make a real mark.
16:40 Saint Roi 1pt E/W @11/2 (4 places)_nSaint Roi was mighty unlucky at Cheltenham the whole way round and can rewrite their wrongs here at Aintree. They were found short of room on multiple occasions and were found in an unideal position. This is a mighty competitive race with a few with chances. I think the best of the 2 skelton runners is Heltenham however u think both of them are a bit short in the market so ill be siding here!

AW selection
Southwell 3.40
PATH TO DUBAI 

Aint 405 
Kandoo kid  9.0 16/1 
The Edgar Wallace 8.8 36.0 
Fantastic lady 8.7 34.0 Betfair 
Incredibly hard race ....5pt Ew kandoo ...5pt wins other two Betfair