DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING

SATURDAY APRIL 11

1.55 AINTREE

Dan Skelton holds a strong hand in this Grade 1 with SOLDIER REEVES and Bossman Jack locking horns again and even though stable jockey Harry Skelton has plumbed for the latter again, the value definitely lies at the feet of the former based on their respective performances in the Turners at the Cheltenham festival.

Granted, Bossman Jack made a bad mistake at the last which cost him any chance he might have had of finishing in the frame, but Soldier Reeves was a massive eye-catcher in his own right, coming from miles off the pace to claim fourth close home.

Had he been ridden with a shade more urgency, the son of Soldier Of Fortune may have had an even bigger say in the outcome and you can easily see him creeping his way into contention with another patient ride likely to ensue.

SOLDIER REEVES – 1-point each-way@8-1 (four places)

2.30 AINTREE

Having been on track for the last two days, the racecourse gossip horse has definitely been Mr Hope Street and it is easy to see why he has been one of the ante-post gambles of the meeting.

You only had to look at Harry Skelton’s body language on his mount at Sandown last time out to sense there were more pertinent targets awaiting and now racing over a trip that fits his profile over hurdles, the lightly-raced chaser could be another handicap blot for his stable at a big meeting.

However, despite his persuasive claims, CRUZ CONTROL still makes quite a bit of appeal in his own right and he is fancied to give it a good go of maintaining his unbeaten record over fences at today’s track.

Arriving here in good form when winner of this race two years ago, he was dismissed in the market in his bid to regain his crown on account of being pulled up the time before at Wetherby, but back on his favoured good ground and spring air in his nostrils, Tom Lacey’s inmate proved to yet another horse revitalised by the old Aintree atmosphere.

Like he was twelve months ago, he arrives following a failure to complete the course at Cheltenham last time out but hailing from a stable who has sent out three winners in his last five runners, the nine-year-old can keep up the good work for his Herefordshire base.

CRUZ CONTROL – 1-point each-way@6-1 (five places)

3.05 AINTREE

The ‘horses for courses’ theories are never more prevalent that in this race and HIDDENVALLEY LAKE is fancied to repeat his victory from twelve months ago.

Unlike Home By The Lee, who thrives at Cheltenham but not here (pulled up on his two previous visits), Henry De Bromhead’s inmate really comes alive around this sharp, left-handed circuit and having run well in defeat in this race two years ago, it came as no surprise to see him go two places better last season.

Battling on well in the closing stages at the Merseyside venue, he gamely got the better of his old rival Strong Leader, another who prefers here to Cheltenham, and it could easily be that pair have the finish to themselves for the second year in succession.

HIDDENVALLEY LAKE – 1-point each-way@6-1 (four places)

4.00 AINTREE – GRAND NATIONAL

Having already advised Gorgeous Tom several months ago, everything looks set fair for a big run from Henry De Bromhead’s gelding.

Just to recap his claims, his effort when finishing a creditable fourth in the Coral Gold Cup earlier in the season deserved upgrading on account of him being very slowly into stride due to a standing start and his subsequent run off a break at Leopardstown, on ground too soft and a trip too short, was clearly an exercise in keeping him ticking over.

A Grade 3 winner over fences with numerous solid efforts in Grade 1 and 2’s in recent times, he has enough class to be a big player if he stays this extreme distance at the first time of asking.

Stable jockey and regular pilot Darragh O’Keeffe opting to ride Monty’s Star is the only slight bug bear but at the same time, it must be difficult for him to get off a horse who has been dining at the top table in Grade 1’s for the last two seasons.

Oscars Brother is another who brings Grade 1 form to the party courtesy of his eye-catching run in the Brown Advisory and he comes across as the type who could easily improve for a step up to a marathon trip. He would also be one to the big stories of the race for a trainer who only has a handful of horses at his disposal.

Not wishing to rely on just one horse, though, the other suggestion comes in the shape of GRANGECLARE WEST, who bids to go two places better than he did in the race last year.

Recent trends suggest the Bobbyjo run at Fairyhouse two months ago is one of the key trials now in finding the winner of the National and the 10-year-old has bright prospects of continuing the theme.

Had he not been hampered by the fall of Broadway Boy and plunging at the last fence when upsides the first two home he may have prevailed and the way he stayed on from that juncture certainly went along way to back up that view.

Willie Mullins’ inmate was also noticeably strong in the final half a mile in gruelling conditions at the Meath venue and his confirmed stamina makes him a very attractive proposition in race where many are unproven over the trip and track.

GRANGECLARE WEST – 2-points win@10-1