The Grand National

The Grand National – Saturday 15^th April

As usual, I’ll be having a few goes at the Grand National, with the first being Le Milos.

Dan Skelton has been terrific this season in getting his horses ready for a particular day. He did it with Protektorat in the Betfair Chase, Ashdown Lad in the Becher and also Le Milos in the Coral Gold Cup. That was only Le Milos’ second start for the stable having moved from Tim Vaughan, and he’s still massively on the rise as a stayer.

His form over three miles reads 2114112, with the latest second coming at Kelso when Skelton admitted the run was to get him ready for the Grand National, and even then, he should have won as he had the race all but sewn up at the last, before tiring up the run in.

He is loving his racing at the moment, is in great form, jumps well, his form from Newbury is strong and I’m putting my faith in Skelton one last time this season to have a horse primed for another big Saturday.

My second play is Lifetime Ambition for Jessica Harrington.

This horse is a really solid jumper and I thought it was very interesting that they brought him over for the Grand Sefton in November to get some experience over the fences. He ran well there too, finishing fourth over a trip too short. His best form has been over three miles in the last year and he’s only tried that once this season where he was second to The Big Dog in the Troytown, which is good form.

He’s only had three goes at real staying trips, winning the first and finishing second in the subsequent two. There is potential for Lifetime Ambition at these sorts of trips and it’s noteworthy that he’s already had a spin over the fences.

The last one I can’t get away from is The Big Breakaway. I’ve always liked this horse, but he lost his way for a while. Looking a rejuvenated character this season, he’s developing into a proper Grand National type in my view.

He is a dour stayer – all he does is jump and gallop. When the others have cried enough, he’ll keep on grinding away. Runner up in both starts this season at Haydock then the Welsh Grand National, he’s got his jumping together now which really seems to have improved him as he was much better at Chepstow last time.

He won’t travel like the aforementioned two, but if something happens with the weather or this year’s National turns into a slog, I want The Big Breakaway on side.

Recommended Bet

Back Le Milos @ 25/1 Each Way

Back Lifetime Ambition @ 25/1 Each Way

Back The Big Breakaway @ 50/1 Each Way

Alex Peperell