DAVY RUSSELL blog: Grand National Saturday!

Hopefully the smiles say it all. What a thrill to get another Grade 1 under my belt with Gerri Colombe who was brilliant in the Mildmay on Friday.

I gave my post race thoughts to Bill Esdaile ….

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Well, I never thought I’d be back riding in another Grand National but here we are. This is some place Liverpool and we jockeys get a buzz here like no other. The people are great and it’s a fabulous City. I’m lucky enough to have had two brilliant days here with Tiger Roll and it’s a thrill to have another spin in the great race aboard Galvin. Listen, Ronnie and Galvin have made a habit of bringing me a bit of luck over the years and it would be magic if he could go close. More about his chances below and my other two rides on Grand National day…

SATURDAY

AINTREE

1.45pm – Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade One)

Only the five runners in this now that Banbridge has come out and it would be a big shock if Jonbon ? weren’t to go one better than in the Arkle the last day. He was beaten by a real good one in Cheltenham and there doesn’t look to be anything of El Fabiolo’s class in here. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET MARKET ⭐

2.25pm – Village Hotels Handicap Hurdle

No ride for me in the competitive handicap hurdle either where Gordon saddles Vina Ardanza. Aidan Kelly takes off a valuable 5lbs as he’s a tough job from his current mark. He’s classy on his day and don’t forget I finished third to Jonbon and El Fabiolo here last year. Good Time Jonny ? was a good winner in Cheltenham the last day (pictured below) and will be hard to beat despite having a big weight. I’ve also a feeling Jonjo O’Neill’s An Tailliur will go well. The doors closed at all the wrong times in Cheltenham and the better ground will help him too. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET MARKET ⭐

IRISH POINT 3.00pm – Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade One)

My first ride on National day is Irish Point ? who takes his chance in the Grade One Mersey Novices’ Hurdle. This fella sat Cheltenham out which has to be a big plus and he has to be a big player on his running behind Marine Nationale in Fairyhouse last December. He got the job done in Naas last time over two miles and that trip would be on the short side for this lad as we saw at the Dublin Racing Festival. He seems in grand form at home and wouldn’t mind a drop of rain either. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET MARKET ⭐

3.35pm  – Liverpool Hurdle (Grade One)

A real good renewal of the Liverpool Hurdle where Gordon saddles Sire Du Berlais ? who is back to defend his crown. He was brilliant in the Stayers Hurdle in Cheltenham and we know he goes well around here. He may be 11-years-old but showed the last day that he is dangerous to dismiss. You can make a genuine case out for at least half a dozen of these with Flooring Porter, Marie’s Rock and Home By The Lee heading up the list of dangers to our lad. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET MARKET ⭐

4.15pm – William Hill Handicap Chase

The race before the National is a really competitive handicap chase as you might expect. The one I like is the top one Eldorado Allen ? who brings plenty of classy form to this. He’s a tough task carrying a big weight, but he’s been mixing it with the best staying chasers in the land and can take some pegging back here. He finished seventh in the Gold Cup in Cheltenham last time and as long as he is over those exertions, he looks the one. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET MARKET ⭐

GALVIN 5.15pm – Randox Grand National

I’m really looking forward to having a spin in the big one aboard Galvin ? (pictured below) for Gordon and Ronnie. He gave me a lovely spin in the Cross Country in Cheltenham and has tightened up a fair bit for that. I sat on him earlier in the week at Gordon’s and he felt in real good order. Things will be a bit tougher against Delta Work here as we have to meet him on 7lbs worse terms than in Cheltenham. That’s not ideal, but this is Aintree and you just never know. My lad stays really well and has that touch of class you need for a race like this. Gordon has done a marvellous job with him and he seems to have his old enthusiasm back. There are so many with chances as this is the Grand National after all. You’d have to respect last year’s winner Noble Yeats despite his bigger weight, while the likes of Longhouse Poet and Ain’t That A Shame look contenders too. We’ll give it a real good crack though and I cannot wait to get out there. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET MARKET ⭐

POUR LES FILLES 6.20pm – National Hunt Flat Race

Finally, I’m riding Pour Les Filles ? for Gordon and Kenny (Haughey) in the finale and hopefully he can go well as we think plenty of him. He’s a horse I know well as I bought him as a three-year-old and he was with me before he went to Gordon’s. He did well to get the job done first time in Leopardstown on St Stephens Day and is definitely one for the future. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET MARKET ⭐

Good Luck
Davy

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