Gerault Roque ran a cracker in the Coral Gold Cup last Saturday just finding a couple too strong in the finish. Oscar Elite ran poorly and is hard to get on a proper going day!

It's onto Aintree and the Becher Chase run over the National fences. A big field of 23 runners go to post in what is always a fascinating race. 

Dan & Harry Skelton have enjoyed big wins over the past two weekends and look to have another good shout here with Ashtown Lad. This second season chaser jumps well but is not the fastest so should enjoy the big national fences and 3m2f trip. He prepared for this race with a good spin over hurdles following home Remastered here in a Pertemps qualifier over an extended three miles. Ashtown Lad has just the five chase runs to his name but they were in good races. Last season, he won over three miles at Wetherby, as well as finishing second to Mint Condition at Haydock and seven lengths third to Ahoy Senor at Wetherby in February. The second home in that Grade 2 Wetherby novice chase was subsequent Grand National winner Noble Yeats. He blatantly didn’t stay in the Scottish Grand National when running too freely.

Recite A Prayer is one of two runners for Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins. He finished third behind stablemate Captain Kangaroo in the Cork National and meets that rival on 14lbs better terms tomorrow. Recite a Prayer is a better jumper than Captain Kangaroo and should go well even if carrying 11-11. He stays well such as when beating recent Grade 2 winner Darrens Hope at Killarney last springtime. He showed his liking for nice ground and a flat course again in the Kerry National at Listowel when second to Busselton. I thought Busselton ran a big race in the Coral Gold Cup last weekend off a 7lb higher mark than when he won at Listowel and in doing so franking the form of Recite A Prayer. Our selection did well at Cork as the ground had gone soft to heavy and he will love the better surface at Aintree tomorrow and should take well to the National fences with Brian Hayes riding.

Aintree 2:05

0.5 point each way Ashtown Lad 6/1 generally, use bookie paying out 6 places.

0.5 point each way Recite A Prayer 16/1 Unibet 6 places else 14/1 Skybet 7 places.

Compare Odds at https://www.oddschecker.com/horse-racing

Best of Luck,

Nicky