VANILLIER can go one better in the Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (4pm) while stable-mate FLOORING PORTER can win the JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (GBB Race) (3.05pm) at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday afternoon.
While the Grand National takes centre stage at Aintree on the final day of the meeting Gavin Cromwell can get a boost before the big one as Flooring Porter can provide a tasty treat before the Grand National to land the Grade One Liverppool Hurdle.
The nine-year-old was denied a third straight victory in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at last month’s Cheltenham Festival, when he was beaten by three-and-three-quarters-of-a-length by the Gordon Elliott-trained Teahupoo. But with that rival not heading to Aintree, Flooring Porter can gain some compensation with victory in the Grade One contest. A strong stayer and a horse who generally goes well from the front, Flooring Porter looks set to land another Grade One but a first victory at Aintree having been placed for the past two seasons. He has been second and third in the last two runnings of the Liverpool Hurdle but he make it third time lucky.
Elliott’s dual Liverpool Hurdle hero Sire Du Berlais should run well but the latter is now 12 and will surely find his younger rivals just too good and may have to settle for a place in his hat-trick bid. While Fergal O’Brien’s Crambo, who disappointed coming home ninth when well-fancied for the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, could bounce back and go close.
Pinstickers' guide to all 34 Grand National runners
CALDWELL POTTER can make a winning debut for Paul Nicholls in the Grade One Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (1.55pm). Bought for a world record selling price of €740,000
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