Nap of the Day: 6/1 chance my best bet at Aintree on Saturday

It's Grand National day at Aintree on Saturday and I'm back in the Nap of the Day hotseat, putting my faith in a veteran stayer to win the Grade 1 immediately before the main event.

Horses don't tend to improve when they reach double-figure ages, but HOME BY THE LEE is proving a bit of an exception to the rule.

Joseph O'Brien's 10-year-old was brilliant on his first start this season, winning the Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle at Navan in November - and his win in the Savills Hurdle at the highest level at Leopardstown over Christmas was arguably a career-best.

On both occasions he beat Henry de Bromhead's Bob Olinger, who went on to frank that form by winning the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last month, and did so rather comfortably too.

The selection also lined up at Cheltenham, but unfortunately unseated rider JJ Slevin early on in the race - at the sixth flight to be precise. It's impossible to say how he'd have fared, but you have to assume he'd have at least gone very close.

Cheltenham's loss is Aintree's gain, as they say, and he comes to Merseyside fresh as a result. That tends to be an advantage at this meeting.

Home By The Lee will also appreciate conditions, while others might not. He acts on any ground, but he's got plenty of form on sounder surfaces, including his aforementioned Graded triumphs this term.

I'm a big fan of Teahupoo, who's the selection's main rival according to the betting at least, but Gordon Elliott, who's in worrying form at present, has always said he's better after a break and this is just a three-week turnaround. This ground might also be a bit quick for him.

Kitzbuhel is very interesting for the all-conquering Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. Just five years old, he's won both starts since joining the ranks at Closutton last year and he could be anything, especially over this staying trip for the first time.

Strong Leader is respected as he bids to follow up last season's success, and last-time-out winner Gwennie May Boy can't be ruled out for the Skeltons.

To be honest, the majority of this 13-strong field could win it, but for me there's lots to like about Home By The Lee. If he runs to form, he's arguably the one to beat.

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