BEST BETS – GRAND NATIONAL HEAD-TO-HEAD: DOM VS. REECE | Day 2 Top Tips

We’re back with the second installment of Grand National Festival tips!

The pair had a winner each during Thursday’s action, with Dom correctly calling the winner of the Foxhunters’ with Latenightpass, while Reece correctly tipped up Clan Des Obeaux to win his second successive Betway Bowl.

At 10-10, who can get a lead with seven contests upcoming on Friday with the feature Grand National now only a day away?

DOM’S TIPS

• 1:45pm – Cobblers Dream | Expert in big-field handicaps, winning Lanzarote at Kempton before fine second in Martin Pipe at Cheltenham. That winner was adjudged to be good enough to enter Grade 1 territory here later in the day and the selection is only nudged 4lb in the weights. Big player.
• 2:20pm – Jonbon | Looks to boast the standout form in this field; easily beaten in Supreme by stable-mate Consitution Hill but still ran well with tactics not in his favour and there’s little else of his ilk in here.
• 2:55pm – L’Homme Presse | Sparkled in Brown Advisory on first crack at this trip last month; unbeaten over fences and already a duel Grade 1 winner. Ahoy Senor beat Bravemansgame over hurdles at this meeting last year, while Fury Road is no slouch in what is a stellar quartet-field renewal.
• 3:30pm – Fakir D’ouadiries | Two-time winner this season and beaten by star intermediate rival Allaho the other two occasions. Won this twelve months ago and now arrives here fresh after Ascot Chase win in Febraury. Hard to beat.
• 4:05pm – Five Star Getaway | Trainer has landed Scottish National and Coral Trophy in recent weeks and this 8-year-old is a really interesting contender over the National fences. Only 3lb higher than previous winning mark and this trip should be right up his street.
• 4:40pm – Gelino Bello | C&D winner back in October; only found a very strong rival too good at Cheltenham on two occasions before brilliant fourth in Lanzarote. Bounced back to winning ways with facile Newbury success and seemingly aimed at this contest.
• 5:15pm – Lively Citizen | Has shown he knows how to get his head in front with wins at Cheltenham and Leicester this season, unlucky when saddle slipped in-between. Ran a corker in Imperial Cup thereafter behind the subsequent County sixth and is off a lowly mark of 122 with 7lb claimer jocked up.

REECE’S TIPS

• 1:45 – Mackenburg E/W

Following three successive wins over fences, Mackenburg returns to tackle the small obstacles in the opener at Aintree. The gelding’s form on good to soft ground is too much to ignore and he currently remains at a workable mark here for Donald McCain.

• 2:20 – First Street E/W

Despite the threatening presence of stablemate Jonbon, First Street could put up a big performance in the Top Novices’ Hurdle. The five-year-old has put up two respectable efforts in Graded company, including a second-place finish behind State Man in the County Hurdle three weeks ago. The softer ground should suit him here and he holds better value at 5/1 compared to his counterpart.

• 2:55 – Ahoy Senor

A cracking race on paper, Ahoy Senor could be the one to come out on top of a small field of four in the Mildmay. The seven-year-old got the better of Bravemansgame over hurdles at last year’s meeting and he put up a good fight against L’Homme Presse at the Cheltenham Festival. He could be able to reverse the form here and land another Grade 1 success at Aintree.

• 3:30 – Allmankind E/W

The winner of the Old Roan back in October, Allmankind could pull a surprise success in the Marsh Chase. The speedy sort was a menace over the minimum trip last season but he has proven to be as effective over two-and-a-half miles as well, which gives him a chance in this contest,

• 4:05 – Killer Clown E/W

While the eight-year-old has been given a sharp 8lb rise in the ratings, Killer Clown looks an ideal candidate for the Topham Chase. Emma Lavelle’s recruit has struck on two of his last three starts and he could well be competitive here if taking to the National fences.

• 4:40 – Banbridge (NAP)

Following his Cheltenham Festival success in the Martin Pipe, Banbridge aims for Grade 1 glory at Aintree for Joseph O’Brien. The gelding does make his first start over three miles but he proved to be a stout stayer over two-and-a-half miles and his pedigree suggests that this trip should be right up his street.

• 5.15 – Richmond Lake E/W

After suffering a tumble in Graded company last time out, Richmond Lake makes his first start in handicaps for his connections. The gelding carries some handy form from his novice hurdle runs and could produce a big effort at this mark, with a 3lb claimer in the saddle aiding his cause.