Alpha Des Obeaux and Shantou Flyer are the two that I like each-way in the Grand National at Aintree today (5.15).
The former is trained by Mouse Morris who saddle Rule The World to land the spoils in 2016.
He was a top class staying hurdler, finishing runner-up to Thistlecrack in the 2016 World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, and has some vey solid form to his name over fences.
The eight-year-old was far from disgarced when fourth to Might Bite in lats year’s RSA or when eight of 28 to Our Duke in the Irish National.
He ran a blinder on seasonal reapperance when a 7 length second of 16 to Total Recall in the Munster Natio al at Limerick and now meets the winner on 15lb better terms.
Alpha De Obeaux went on to land a Grade 2 at Clonmel when beating A Toi Phil by 5 1/2 lengths on heavy ground where he had subsequent Ryanair winner Balko Des Flos a further 10 lengths back in third.
He has sonce been far from disgraced when sixth to Road To Respect in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown or when fourth to the very exciting Presenting Percy in the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle.
I think he has a real touch of class when on song and today he wears just the cheekpieces and is 2-3 when doing so.
If getting into a good rhythm early I can see him running a huge race in the hands of the highly talented Rachel Blackmore.
Shantou Flyer jumped well in this race last year until getting baldy hampered and pulled up four from home.
He has been in terrific form this season since joining trainer Richard Hobson, posting a string of solid efforst to finish runner-uo in his last four starts.
In the last of those, the eight-year-old ran a stomer when going down by just a neck to Coo Star Sivola at the Cheltenham Festival.
He is able to race off the same mark in this and is officially 4lb well-in at the weights.
With proven form on tesying ground and James Bowen in the saddle, the in-form Shantou Flyer looks to have plenty going for him.
Daily Sport recommended bets – posted on twitter 5.30pm 13/4/18:
2pts each-way Alpha Des Obeaux (40/1 generally availble – use BOG firms paying 1/4 odds 5 places)
2pts each-way Shantou Flyer (33/1 generally available – use BOG firms payng 1/4 odds 5 places)
