VANILLIER can grab Randox Grand National (GBB Race) (5.15pm) glory while in the other races at Aintree Racecourse HOME BY THE LEE may take the JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (GBB Race) (3.35pm) on Saturday afternoon.
Gavin Cromwell's grey heads a long list of Irish-trained runners who can go close to glory in the world's greatest steeplechase including last year's first, second and third –Noble Yeats, Any Second Now and Delta Work – as well as Longhouse Poet, Coko Beach, Ain't That A Shame and Lifetime Ambition.
READ MORE: Full list of final 40 runners for the 2023 Grand National
But away from the big race Ireland may also land the Grade One Liverpool Hurdle with the Joseph O'Brien-trained Home By The Lee. The eight-year-old has risen through the ranks this year having been sixth in last year's Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. That was his first run at Grade One level over hurdles following some promising efforts after connections decided to drop back to the smaller obstacles after a chasing career didn't pan out as hoped. Home By The Lee has gone from strength to strength this season and he took the Grade Two Lismussen Hurdle at Navan on his seasonal return in November. He was even better stepped back up to Grade One company when winning the Grade One Jack De Bromhead Christmas Hurdle by three lengths from Ashdale Bob. But he was only fifth behind Sire Du Berlais in the Stayers' Hurdle this time at Prestbury Park. Now, though, on the flatter track of Aintree he may be able reverse form to score.
Gordon Elliott's veteran Sire Du Berlais won this race last year as well and should again go close along with Cromwell's Flooring Porter and the Nicky Henderson-trained Champ.
Nicky Henderson’s JONBON can win the opener on Grand National day, the Grade One EFT Systems Maghull Novices’ Chase (GBB Race) (1.45pm).
READ MORE: Pinstickers' guide to all 40 Grand National runners
The former smart hurdler suffered his first defeat on his fourth start over fences having no answer to El Fabiolo in the Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham last month.
He had won three times before that at Warwick twice and Sandown. And he still remains open to more improvement. The seven-year-old can return to winnings ways in the absence of the aforementioned El Fabiolo.
Irish trainer Elliott won the Grade One Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (3pm) with Three Stripe Life last year and he may be able to score again with IRISH POINT.
The five-year-old gelded son of Joshua Tree won his maiden in good style at Cork back in November. And although he didn’t win again until taking a Grade Three two-mile contest at Naas last month he had run well in defeat at the top level, particulary when only a neck behind subsequent impressive Supreme Novices Hurdle hero Marine Nationale at the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse in December. That was over 2m4f and the step back up to that trip can see Irish Point finally land a Grade One victory ahead of Dan Skelton’s Kateira.
READ MORE: Vanillier for victory in the Grand National
Paul Nicholls’ OUTLAW PETER can bring up the hat-trick in the Village Hotels Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (2.25pm).
The seven-year-old has won three times this season, including back-to-back successes at Wincanton and Kempton in January and last month respectively.
Despite rising another 5lb in the handicap for that latest success, he is improving all the time and may be able to make it three in a row ahead of chiefly Skelton’s West Balboa and the Tony Martin-trained Cheltenham Festival winner Good Time Johnny.
Course and distance winner KINONDO KWETU can score again at Aintree in the William Hill Handicap Chase (Registered As The Freebooter Handicap Chase) (Premier Handicap) (GBB) (4.15pm). The seven-year-old landed a fifth straight success over fences at Aintree in October, travelling and jumping well throughout before comfortably scoring.
He finished a distant last of three runners when stepped up to Grade Two company at Ascot in February. But he has had a wind operation since and back down into handicap company can continue his progress with another victory. This race has, at times, threw up future Grand National winners including Don’t Push It in 2010. So it is a race to watch and keep in mind any horses who do well in it.
Nicholls’ CENTARA can win the finale of the meeting, the Grade Two Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (GBB Race) (6.20pm). The five-year-old impressed when winning on his debut at Taunton and can score again stepped up to Grade Two company.
Merseyside-born trainer Donald McCain will have his eyes firmly on Minella Trump’s bid for Grand National glory but away from Aintree at Newcastle he may have a couple of winners with NELL’S BELLS in the Boutique Event Hire Conditional Jockeys’ Training Series Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (1pm) and WORD HAS IT in the Acorn Catering Equipment Handicap Hurdle (3pm).
On the Flat at Yarmouth Ed Walker’s LIBRA TIGER can win the Follow @Bresbet On Twitter Handicap (3.20pm) and the Julie Fielden-trained ROSE FANDANGO can take the Cazoo Handicap (4.30pm).
Wright Ones
AINTREE (DAY THREE)
1.45pm Jonbon
2.25pm Outlaw Peter
3pm Irish Point
3.35pm Home By The Lee
4.15pm Kinondo Kwetu
5.15pm 1 VANILLIER (NAP) 2 Delta Work 3 Corach Rambler 4 Any Second Now
6pm Centara
NEWCASTLE
1pm Nell’s Bells
1.35pm Cold Sobar
2.15pm East Street
2.50pm Word Has It
3.25pm Evander
4pm Six One Nine
4.40pm Red Ochre
CHEPSTOW
12.45pm Red Notice
1.20pm Kooky
1.55pm Skinflint
2.35pm Our Bill’s Aunt
3.10pm Grizzly James
3.45pm Kash Tara
4.22pm Cast’s Tasha
4.52pm Spirit D’aunou
YARMOUTH
1.30pm Twilight Guest
2.05pm Island Of Skye
2.45pm Dasho Lennie
3.20pm Libra Tiger
3.55pm Harry With Style
4.30pm Rose Fandango
5pm Spanish Mane
WOLVERHAMPTON
5.30pm Holly Blackmore
6pm Tranquil Rose
6.30pm Dubai Dawn
7pm Kensington Agent
7.30pm Marmara Star
8pm Dark Company
8.30pm Bristol Hill
SUNDAY’S NAP: Drop Him In (Huntingdon 4.25pm)
