€250 Charity Bet on the Grand National with thanks to Betfair
5.15 Aintree Saturday
€85 each way on Blaklion at 14/1
€40 each way on Saphir De Rheu at 20/1
Please bet responsibly!
Here is my thinking:
Blaklion is trained by Nigel Twiston Davies, who saddled Earth Summit and Bindaree to win this famous race. He's a horse with a touch of class having won a Grade 1 chase at Cheltenham last year; he is a small horse, but a nimble jumper. I believe he will improve for better ground, he has a nice racing weight, he has a top jockey in Noel Fehily on board and I was impressed with the way he flew up the Cheltenham hill last year, which bodes positively for the long run in of the National. I think he's a solid each way bet.
If Blaklion falls at the first, Saphir De Rheu is a decent alternative in this 40 runner field. How many horses in this field would finish 5th in the Cheltenham Gold Cup? This grey did and he's coming back to the form he demonstrated early in his career, when Paul Nicholls sent him out to finish second in a World Hurdle and win a Grade 1 novice chase at this very course, Aintree. His jumping has not always been the most fluent, but Nicholls has worked on that and there were no issues last time. He looks well handicapped for a big performance with stable jockey Sam Twiston Davies doing the steering.
Good luck and make sure you go each way!
