HARRY SKELTON: Grand National Day

We’ve got plenty of live chances going into Grand National Day at Aintree and we’re looking forward to it, writes HARRY SKELTON.

I’m also very grateful to Paul Nicholls and the McNeil family for booking me to ride Threeunderthrufive in the Grand National. It’s the race that all jockeys dream of riding in growing up. He looks to be one of the best chances I’ve had in the race for a while, so I’m hoping for a good spin.

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CATCH HIM DERRY & NURSE SUSAN – 1.20pm Aintree

This race has been good to us in the past and Catch Him Derry ran a career best last time out in the Pertemps at Cheltenham when finishing third. He still looks to be in pretty good form at home and is competitively handicapped, the only concern is how he’ll be after that tough race at the Festival. If he repeats that form, he should go very well.

Nurse Susan also runs for us and she’s a classy mare on her day. She ran well for a long way in the Martin Pipe at the Festival and if she improves and comes back to her best form then she’ll also have a competitive chance.

LE MILOS – 2.30pm Aintree

He’s been running competitively and it was nice for him to get his head back in front at Warwick. He’s an old horse but still shows plenty of enthusiasm and is running well. Although there are a couple who are better off at the weights and less exposed than he is, he’s a fair horse on his day and in great form. We’re looking forward to it.

GWENNIE MAY BOY – 3.05pm Aintree

He’s an improving horse and won the Rendlesham Hurdle really well last time out. He was also a winner in a handicap on this card last year so he ticks a lot of boxes. He’s got a really live chance here and looks in fantastic condition. We’ve always had this race in the back of our minds so hopefully everything can come together and he can run a big race. We’ve a lot of respect for Strong Leader, who won this race last year, and looks the one to beat.

THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE – 4.00pm Aintree

It’s great to be part of the Grand National again. You grow up as a kid wanting to be a jockey and dream of riding in this race one day. I’ve had some great rides in the race and this lad looks to be up there with one of the best I’ve had. He’s a classy horse and has been running at a fair level in 150+ handicaps for quite some time. He ran very well last time out at Ascot, has placed in the Scottish National and is a sound jumper. There are plenty of positives. I’m really looking forward to it and very thankful for the opportunity to ride him – I can’t wait. With a bit of luck we’ll have a good ride round and you never know what can happen!

L’EAU DU SUD – 5.00pm Aintree

He’s got cheekpieces on for the first time as we just feel he’s holding back that last 10%. We think he’s got more to give so the headgear might give him some help in the latter stages. He’s been consistent all year and hasn’t really run a bad race, he’s also the only Grade 1 winner in the field so he looks the one they have to beat. If he holds his form and reproduces any of his recent runs, I think he’ll take a bit of beating.

QUAVISTE – 5.35pm Aintree

We quite like this horse. He got off to a winning start in his bumper at Huntingdon on debut and that form has been boosted since. These bumpers are an unknown, though, and it’s always hard to find the winner. We do know he’s a really nice horse and win, lose or draw we’re very excited for him next season going over hurdles. I think he’ll run well and he should handle the ground as he’s a good traveller.

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