Grand National day tips: Saturday's best bets from Racing Post experts

Day three of the Grand National festival at Aintree, headlined by the Randox Grand National itself (5.15) is here – but who do our top tipsters fancy most?

Elle Est Belle

By Tom Segal

Race:Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle (2.25 Aintree)

Odds: 14-1

Elle Est Belle is worth chancing against the boys in the Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle. The mares have a distinct advantage getting 7lb in these Grade 1 hurdle races and Elle Est Belle finished in front of the favourite Three Stripe Life when third in the Champion Bumper at last season's Cheltenham festival.

Flooring Porter

By Paul Kealy

Race: JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (3.35 Aintree)

Odds: 13-8

Won his second Stayers' Hurdle in commanding fashion at Cheltenham last month and has to be considered a clear favourite to repeat the feat this time. He flopped after last year's Stayers' win but that was at Punchestown, where he kept jumping to his left, and that's why he's running here instead of going back there. He's taken quick races well in the past.

Ernest Gray

By Mark Boylan

Race: Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (6.20 Aintree)

Odds: 5-1

There are bound to be some quality types on display in the concluding Grade 2 bumper at Aintree, but this Alan King-trained youngster could be set to make an immediate impact and maintain his unbeaten record. A smart winner of a point-to-point bumper on debut for Colin Bowe in March 2021, he created an excellent impression when beating a previous bumper winner at Warwick last month.

Longhouse Poet

By Brian Sheerin

Race: Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (5.15 Aintree)

Odds: 16-1

Purely at the prices, Longhouse Poet may be the play. Like Gordon Elliott and Ted Walsh, Longhouse Poet's trainer Martin Brassil has been here before with Numbersixvalverde winning the Grand National in 2006. Longhouse Poet is a classier horse than Numbersixvalverde was, which is good, because that's exactly what you need to win the race. There is 16-1 about him winning the National and that looks a very fair offering.

Saturday's Aintree previews:

5.15 Aintree: She's entitled to be the price she is' - Coleman excited by Snow Leopardess

Pinstickers' guide: quotes and ratings for every horse in the Grand National

2.25 Aintree: can Three Stripe Life take advantage of a golden Grade 1 opportunity?

3.00 Aintree: 'Nothing's given me any concern' – Edwardstone in line to join star-studded list

3.35 Aintree: can Flooring Porter follow in footsteps of the greats and complete the double?

4.15 Aintree: it's time to find out if Shan Blue is the best-handicapped chaser in Britain

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