Racing Line

Here are some top tips for the weekend's horseracing from our resident expert, Benny The Book...

The Greatest Show On Earth is an epithet that has been applied to the Grand National. It has also been used for the circus. Whether there is any difference between the two is debatable, one has clowns the other has Clare Balding who was in truly formidable form on Thursday stalking the paddock with her mike, frightening all and sundry. 

As the Advertiser's racing bod my colleagues have been asking all morning ' what's your tip'? Well, my tip is keep your cash for the other terrific races on the Aintree card. 

Although it's not the lottery it once was, in a four-mile chase over towering fences anything can happen.
 
If you really must, try Comply or Die or, for a real long-shot, the Irish slogger Baily Breeze. Although old favourite Lough Derg runs in the Aintree Hurdle (2.50pm), he was disappointing yesterday and I'm sticking with another who has served me well over the last few years, Al Eile. 
A close third in the Fighting Fifth, John Queally's eight-year-old took a listed race at Leopardstown in December before a creditable third to Sizing Europe in the Europe Champion Hurdle. He won this last year and is backed to triumph again.
 
There's another chance to admire Arkle winner Tidal Bay in the Maghull Chase (2.25pm). Denis O'Reagan piloted him home ahead of the game little mare Kruguyrova who is also in the field tomorrow. Although she gets her mare's allowance again it's hard to see the result being reversed. 

To recoup your National losses, try My Petra in the 5pm. She looked as if she needed further last time in the Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham and this course and trip should be just the ticket. 

Although Merseyside is the centre of attention tomorrow. I shall be heading for the Land of My Fathers, and Chepstow with its splendid sausage and mash.
I may even watch some racing, particularly the novice chase at 3pm when Venetia Williams' promising Something Wells gets the chance to make a amends for falling in the Arkle. 
He has previously stayed on well in the Timeform Chase at Cheltenham in January following steady progress through the novice rankings. 

I'll give one more chance while I'm there to Caislean na Deirge in the 2.25pm, who seems to have upset the handicapper but does have the benefit of his rider claiming five pounds this time.