Fly guy can be a National hero

Irish raider can build on his Cheltenham Gold Cup form

ANIBALE FLY can give the Cheltenham Gold Cup form the ultimate boost by winning the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree.

Tony Martin’s Irish raider made eyecatching late progress to take third place behind the dominant duo of Native River and Might Bite at the festival last month.

His style of running suggests he will suited by the way the National will pan out. He can be held up and will hopefully avoid trouble before his stamina and ability kick in on the second circuit.

Anibale Fly is eight years old, the same age as two of the last three winners – Many Clouds and One For Arthur – and therefore should be at the peak of his powers.

Away from the main event, OLD GUARD can take top honours in the Ryanair Stayers Hurdle as he arrives here fresh after sidestepping Cheltenham.

He beat Lil Rockerfeller in the National Spirit Hurdle on his most recent outing, relishing slightly quicker ground than he had encountered during the deep winter, and he should be in the mix again if the weather is favourable. PETIT MOUCHOIR was simply outclassed by Footpad at Cheltenham, but is the obvious choice in the Doom Bar Maghull Novices’ Chase in the absence of his old rival.

The other Grade One heat on the card, the Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle, can go to ON THE BLIND SIDE.

He is another who did not run at Cheltenham and while the fact he has been off the track since winning back in December is a little off-putting, Nicky Henderson is a master at producing his horses spot on for the big day. SELECTIONS:

AINTREE: 1.45 Fixe Le Kap, 2.25 On The Blind Side, 3.00 Petit Mouchoir, 3.40 Wakanda, 4.20 Old Guard, 5.15 1. ANIBALE FLY (NAP), 2. Seeyouatmidnight, 3. Regal Encore, 4. Baie Des Iles, 6.20 Michael’s Mount.

CHEPSTOW: 2.15 Three Colours Red, 2.50 Beallandendall, 3.30 Shivermetimbers, 4.05 Kimberlite Candy, 4.40 Ardmayle, 5.35 Renard, 6.05 Good And Hardy.

DOUBLE: Anibale Fly and On The Blind Side.