Racing Lee's Grand National Opening Day Tips

He’s short, but he should be winning this. I think he was very impressive in his Triumph Trial last time out. He missed his Cheltenham Triumph Hurdle target run through the process of the yard being in bad form, not for him being sick or injured.

The rest are a mixed bunch, with a few Cheltenham also rans, but all said and done, if Sir Gino is fit and the yard is firing, he should have the measure of these. He’s still top rated.

I tossed and turned over putting Gerri or Gino as the NAP, but I think Gino has less to prove of the two, with Gerri still hard to beat. He ran a huge race in the Gold Cup last time out, how much of that has taken out of him? I’m unsure. That’s the standout form in this, though.

If you took out Galopin Des Champs, then Gerri Colombe is near a 10 length Gold Cup winner. The third that day is current Grand National winner and favourite again for this year’s renewal. The selection is a multiple Grade One winner, and although the worry will be the turnaround from Cheltenham, he managed to handle it fine last season.

He was arguably most impressive in any of his runs to date when winning last season’s Grade One Mildmay, over this course and distance. He looked like he just jumped in at the last and won as he liked.

I’m happy to row in that he’s simply the best in this race on these conditions, and I hope he can back it up.

A graded class horse, now running in Hunter Chases, Annamix should be to show his back-class to run a big race. He handles heavy and relishes soft conditions, which he is highly likely to get here. He was third in this race two years ago, when he took to the fences well and kept on behind runaway winner Mac Tottie, who could take in this race himself, or run in the Grand National.

He beat former Cheltenham Fox Hunters winner Billaway, and prolific Hunter winner Ferns Lock, easily when they clashed at Fairyhouse last season. He handles the ground, stays for fun and comes here in fine form after a 10 length win last time out.

He may be overlooked in what will be the first race of the meeting over the National fences.