Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Raz the roof
RAZ De Maree is my pick for this afternoon’s Grand National.
Gavin Cromwell’s runner will relish conditions at Aintree and could run a big race at a massive price.
His age is an obvious concern as the last 13-year-old to win the world’s greatest steeplechase was Sergeant Murphy in 1923.
But the last runner of this age in the contest was Vics Canvas, who finished third at 100/1 in 2016.
Raz De Maree triumphed in emphatic fashion in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow in similar conditions in January.
I’m not saying he is going to do so again today, but he is a brilliant each-way bet at a super price.
The first lap of this race is always a lottery and if he doesn’t fall or get brought down, I can definitely see him running into a place at least.
There is a concern that he could get outpaced by classier horses, but if it’s a slog at the finish, expect the James Swan-owned runner to be bang there.
There’s also been support from him in the market as he was as big as 50/1 earlier in the week. That was down to 25/1 generally last night.
The Irish look to have a very strong hand in this year’s renewal, with Tony Martin’s Anibale Fly, Willie Mullins’ Total Recall, Gordon Elliott’s Tiger Roll and Ross O’sullivan’s Baie Des Iles all towards the top of the market.
Elsewhere on the card, I strongly fancy Petit Mouchoir to land the Doom Bar Maghull Novices’ Chase at a short-price.
He was last seen finishing third behind Footpad in the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham and this looks an ideal opportunity for Henry de Bromhead’s seven-year-old to return to the winner’s enclosure.
Another de Bromhead runner I’ll be backing each-way this afternoon is Identity Thief, who finished fourth in the Champion Hurdle last time at 66/1.
He is interesting stepping up in trip in the Ryanair Stayers’ Hurdle and is a good bet to be in the money.
Nicky Henderson’s We Have A Dream bolted up here on Thursday after skipping the Cheltenham Festival and On The Blind Side could do the same in the Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle.