It’s been 73 years since a mare last won the Grand National but two members of the equine fairer sex have a decent chance to create history at Aintree on Saturday.
Limerick Lace and Galia Des Liteaux can end the barren spell stretching back to 1951 when 40/1 outsider Nickel Coin was triumphant.
She was the 13th mare to win the test of jumping, guts and stamina over four miles and two and a half furlongs and our two selections both boast those qualities.
Most importantly, both act on what is expected to be extremely heavy going after the deluge which has fallen on Liverpool this week.
Limerick Lace, trained by Gavin Cromwell, was an impressive winner at the Cheltenham Festival for us when claiming the Mares’ Chase and the booking of top jockey Mark Walsh to be in the saddle is an added bonus. She rarely makes a mistake when clearing fences and can be backed each-way at 20/1 with Coral.
Galia Des Liteaux represents Dan Skelton’s successful yard and victory would ensure he pips Willie Mullins and Paul Nicholls to the Trainers’ Championship.
Another who rarely puts a foot wrong when tackling the toughest of obstacles, she is 25/1 with Betway, who pay each-way terms on the first seven past the post.
Former football manager Harry Redknapp has not only enjoyed success on the pitch, he’s a successful racehorse and greyhound owner.
Shakem Up’arry could land him one of his biggest-ever victories after winning on heavy going at Cheltenham in January and returning to the Cotswolds to storm home as a Festival winner in March. Ben Pauling’s runner is another great each-way chance at 40/1 with Betway.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if Corach Rambler, last year’s winner, won for a second straight year especially after finishing like an express train when third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and he is worth a flutter despite being no bigger than Betfred’s 6/1.
Gerri Colombe impressed when second in the Gold Cup and is 7/4 with William Hill to win the Bowl Chase on the meeting’s opening day on Thursday. Sir Gino was one of Nicky Henderson’s stars which missed Cheltenham because of illness in the yard but can be backed at 5/6 with William Hill to win the Juvenile Hurdle while Grey Dawning can win the opening race, the Novices Chase, at evens with Hills, Coral and Ladbrokes. Stick them in a treble.
• Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool and Aston Villa can win their European matches on Thursday by more than one goal and can be put in a treble.
• Put Luke Humphries -2.5 legs, Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen -1.5 and Gerwyn Price in an acca for this week’s Premier League Darts in Birmingham.
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