Tom Scudamore Aintree Blog: ‘You’d have to respect him’

Mystical Power betting odds: 15/8

3:30 Aintree

Another horse who would have probably preferred slightly better ground, but this will have been the plan for Pic D’Orhy for some time, and the fact he skipped Cheltenham and has come straight here is a massive help to his chance. Jonbon definitely looks the main danger, and at one point when Pic D’Orhy was very headstrong, you’d have been worried they’d take each other on, but I think he relaxes more now as he’s got older, so he’s the one I’ll side with.

Pic D’Orhy betting odds: 7/2

4:05 Aintree

Last year’s winner Bill Baxter looks to have been campaigned with this in mind, and off only 1lb higher, it’s difficult not to see him going close again. Of the horses at bigger prices, it wouldn’t surprise me if Flegmatik went well at a price. He’s extremely tough and consistent, and I don’t think the chaos of this race will get to him at all.

Bill Baxter betting odds: 5/1

Flegmatik betting odds: 16/1

4:40 Aintree 

This is a race that is prone to throw up a shock, but I like Shanagh Bob in this. He skipped Cheltenham, so he comes here fresh, and I thought his win at Cheltenham in December was impressive. I don’t think he’s a flash horse who pokes your eye out in the way some others do, but three miles at Aintree takes a fair bit of getting on this sort of ground, and they tend to get racing very early, so I think that will suit this horse down to the ground.

Shanagh betting odds: 9/2

5:15 Aintree

People might think I’m mad going for this horse, but I fancy Luttrell Lad each-way in this. He goes really well in big-field handicaps, and he’s 1lb lower than when a decent third at Doncaster last time out. He’s won on heavy ground before, and Cameron Iles is well worth his 7lb claim in a contest like this, so I can see him running a big race.

Luttrell Lad betting odds: 16/1

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