Grand National Tips: Monty’s Star and the Holy Grail?

The stage is set for the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday afternoon (16:00), with 34 runners set to face the starter.

It's the race that captures the country's imagination like no other, and I'm tasked with providing some Grand National tips. No pressure, eh? Here's three I like the look of - all each-way with Betfred offering six places.

There's few as adept as Henry de Bromhead at target training, and MONTY'S STAR's entire season has been geared towards Saturday's Grand National.

A classy novice chaser who traded blows with the likes of Fact To File, I hoped the nine-year-old son of Walk In The Park would make a splash in open Grade 1s over three miles, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, last year.

As it goes, he couldn't - but he wasn't disgraced at HQ, nor at Leopardstown for the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival. He just appeared to lack that extra gear needed at the highest level.

Once that became clear, I was eager for connections to set their sights on Aintree and steeplechasing's Holy Grail. I've got my wish.

On his staying-on fifth in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, he's on a handy mark (159). Off level weights, he was only two-and-a-half lengths behind the reopposing Grangeclare West (third in last year's renewal) and a further four adrift of 2024 winner I Am Maximus (runner-up 12 months ago). On Saturday, he receives seven and nine pounds respectively from the Willie Mullins-trained pair.

I think he's going to run a huge race. Whether he'll see out the 4m2½f trip is the question, but I think he'll love jumping those famous fences at a slower pace on ideal ground. As I've already suggested, you can bet he'll be ready for his life too.

He's my main bet at 14/1 each-way, with Betfred offering six places.

Another I want onside is OSCARS BROTHER for Connor King.

Of the six National hopefuls for JP McManus, it's this eight-year-old son of Malinas I find most interesting.

He's been a revelation this season, winning a beginners' chase at Galway in October before claiming Grade 2 honours in the Florida Pearl at Punchestown a month later, beating Koktail Divin, who did the business in the G1 Manifesto Novices' Chase on Thursday, by three lengths.

That was enough to interest Mr. McManus, who decided to get the chequebook out. How many zeros, I wonder?

A facile, six-length success in a modest event at Navan in February followed, before a hugely eye-catching effort in the Brown Advisory at last month's Cheltenham Festival, finishing five-and-a-half lengths off the pace in fourth.

He came from a long way back at HQ, doing all his best work at the finish. On that evidence, he could relish this extreme test of stamina.

It's an extremely difficult race for anyone to win, especially a novice, but there's lots to like about his chances - and I can't help but wonder, was this always the plan after joining the green and gold?

Finally, I'll be having a few quid on IMPERIAL SAINT at a huge price.

Philip Hobbs & Johnson White's eight-year-old scrapes into the race off a featherweight of 10st 2lbs, which I'm delighted about as I think he's got a decent chance.

The son of Saint Des Saints, owned by Richard Johnson's syndicate, loves it on Merseyside, boasting form figures of 11125 at the track.

That second place was at the National meeting last year, in a 3m1f handicap chase, which was his first attempt over a staying trip. The next was in the Peter Marsh at Haydock earlier this year, which he won in gusty style.

Under the circumstances - he was almost brought down by a faller at the 13th fence and relegated to the rear - he ran a fine race in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival, and now he tries a marathon distance for the first time.

If he stays, I can see him being involved at the finish, for all I doubt he has the requisite class of a modern Grand National winner.

Super Extra Places

Selected race(s). Applies to Each Way, Single & Multiple bets only. Best Odds Guaranteed & Antepost bets do not apply. Min. runner rules apply. T&Cs Apply.

Super Extra Places

Selected race(s). Applies to Each Way, Single & Multiple bets only. Best Odds Guaranteed & Antepost bets do not apply. Min. runner rules apply. T&Cs Apply.

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