Timeform Radio Tips: Lieutenant to come home First

First Lieutenant (right) is in action at Aintree today.

David Cleary suggests a couple of bets on the opening day of Aintree' Grand National meeting...

The first day of the Grand National meeting at Aintree looks sure to provide plenty of excitement and quality performances, with the Fox Hunters' over the National fences, two extremely competitive handicaps and no fewer than four Grade 1 events. 

Taking centre stage is the Aintree Hurdle at 15:05, which features several of the also-rans from the Champion Hurdle, as well as the exciting novice The New One and the first two from the last two runnings of this race, Oscar Whisky and Thousands Stars. While The New One is open to further improvement and has a most positive profile, he needs to progress in this company and makes limited appeal at the morning prices.

Of those seeking compensation after the Champion Hurdle, Zarkandar should be suited by today's trip but there are clearly concerns about his application, with blinkers now fitted, while Grandouet isn't sure to stay two and a half miles, which leaves Countrywide Flame, who is much more likely to benefit from the trip and should run well. However, he might come up a little short if Oscar Whisky and Thousand Stars are on song. Neither ran well last time, Oscar Whisky very flat in the World Hurdle, Thousand Stars running too bad to be true at Navan in February. Before that, Thousand Stars had shown himself as good as ever in a couple of races against Hurricane Fly. Missing Cheltenham as intended looks better coming into this race than going there and flopping when well fancied and yet Thousand Stars figures at a significantly longer price than Oscar Whisky. Thousand Stars each way or win and place looks the best option in a cracking race.

The Aintree Bowl at 14:30 gives Silviniaco Conti the opportunity to gain compensation after his fall in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He had still to be asked for his effort when departing three out that day and might well have improved on the form he'd shown when winning his first three races this season had he stood up. However, that looks to have been factored into his price for this afternoon's race and Silviniaco Conti is worth taking on with First Lieutenant. First Lieutenant was no match for Cue Card in the Ryanair at Cheltenham but second place added to his solid record in his second season over fences. The pick of his form gives him a realistic chance of beating the favourite and the return to three miles on less testing ground could well see improvement from him. First Lieutenant is the one to be on.

Timeform Radio Tips:
Both at Aintree
Back Thousand Stars to win @ 13.012/1 and place @ 3.211/5 in the 15:05
Back First Lieutenant @ 4.84/1 in the 14:30

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