Grand National 2017 Tips – Who should I back at Aintree today? Steve Mullen’s selections

REBEL REBELLION is proven over the big National fences and make that experience count in the Foxhunters’ Chase at 4.05.
Despite all the modifications in recent years, Aintree is still a real jumping test and one that many horses fail.

GET ON STEVEN MULLEN'S TOP TIPS WITH SUN BETS

Paul Nicholls’ 12-year-old showed his liking for them when running away with the Grand Sefton Chase over this trip three years ago. He came back 12 months later to run a real cracker when a close-up fifth.
That earned him a tilt at the National itself but the marathon trip proved beyond him — although he still jumped well before pulling up five from home.
His form has been a little in and out since then as Nicholls has probably pitched him at tougher races than he needed to.
He didn’t like the testing conditions at Leicester last time and will be much happier on this sounder surface.
With a big tick in the jumping box, we know he likes the trip and he should give a good account.
On The Fringe is going for three wins on the spin in this and will be a plenty short enough price to pull it off. He may well bounce back from finishing fourth in the Cheltenham version of this last time out.
He’s another that we know relishes these fences and it would be no surprise to see him come back and win again — but at around 2-1 we can let him go.
Pacha Du Polder ran a belter to win at Cheltenham but that was over a more testing trip and he likes to come from off the pace. Those tactics saw him finish sixth in this 12 months ago and a similar result is likely.

Years ago he would have been the perfect Grand National horse but he’s a little too low in the official ratings to get in.
RAVEN’S TOWER loves flying around Aintree over the minimum trip and he can give us a good run in the Red Rum Chase at 4.40.
Forget his last run at Sandown where the soft ground wasn’t too his liking — this faster surface should bring out the best in him.
He has come down the weights to be just 1lb higher than when winning over course and distance in November.
The ground was decent that day and he made the most of it to win a tricky handicap with plenty left up his sleeve.
He’s clearly a horse who needs his conditions and today should offer exactly what he wants to show his best form.
This is a real head scratcher of a race with several in with massive chances. Astre De La Coeur could be the biggest danger. He has been knocking on the door, going down in close finishes at Wincanton twice after winning at Taunton.
He clearly has ability and is another who will enjoy this good ground. This is a step up in class but he looks capable of improvement.
CUE CARD bounced back from hitting the deck in the Gold Cup to win the 2.50 12 months ago and should repeat the feat. Empire Of Dirt should supply the main opposition now he’s back over his favourite distance.
From a punting point of view, the rest of the telly races are a bit of a letdown with too many short priced favourites that look really hard to beat.
Defi Du Seuil ran away with the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham last time and has a penalty kick in the 2.20.
If you’re looking for a forecast, Divin Bere loves a flat track like this and did well to finish a close second in the Fred Winter last time carting top weight.
Champion Hurdler Buveur D’Air will be a tough nut in the 3.25. This time, The New One can get the better of My Tent Or Yours for the forecast spot. He has shown in the past that Aintree is right up his street.

AINTREE SELECTIONS

1.45 Cloudy Dream
2.20 Defi Du Seuil
2.50 Cue Card (treble)
3.25 Buveur D’Air
4.05 REBEL REBELLION (nap)
4.40 Raven’s Tower (nb)
5.15 Shearling
OTHER SELECTIONS
TAUNTON
2:10 Taurian
2:40 Garo De Juilley
3:15 Milord
3:55 Bally Lagan
4:30 Black Corton
5:05 High Hatton
5:35 Highway Star

SOUTHWELL
1:55 Lutine Charlie
2:30 Ventura Knight
3:00 Stretewise
3:35 Fern Owl
4:15 Alexander M
4:50 Ticks The Boxes
5:25 Cadeaux Pearl

CHELMSFORD
5:45 No Not Again
6:15 Intereave
6:45 Mustarrid
7:15 Mr Red Clubs
7:45 Channel Packet
8:15 Masterson
8:45 Quick Look