I’m the UK’s best tipster – here are my top four picks this week | Racing | Sport

Melissa, aka The Scout, is the current Racing Post National Press Challenge champion after she led the field of 11 tipsters to the finish in 2025. The stamina-sapping competition was based on more than 9,600 selections throughout the year. A good final furlong helped her cause, but Melissa has maintained her form – and set a new record by finishing top of the standings for a fourth month on the trot in February before tipping this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Gaelic Warrior.

Grand National week is upon us, with four Grade One races on Thursday and Friday getting punters into the groove.

A total of 49 horses were left in the £1million Randox-sponsored feature yesterday, with my Ultima Handicap Chase winner Johnnywho now guaranteed a run in the final field of 34.

Once a year, bettors always want the winner of the National, but it’s an almighty challenge to nail your colours to the mast at an earlier stage than declaration time.

It has been brought forward to Wednesday this year, so that is when shortlists can start to be narrowed down towards nominating a final selection.

Before the big race, there will hopefully be a strong effort from PRINCESS DAY in the Grade Two Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race on Thursday.

Jeremy Scott’s achievements with 2025 champion hurdler Golden Ace have led some better horses to his stable door, and this €170,000 purchase is one of them.

She is owned by Gordon and Su Hall, who have had a great season with Grade One novices Old Park Star and Act Of Innocence.

And they could be at the top table again with Princess Day, who powered away from point-to-point winner Fairy Park and Listed heroine Malina Road at Newbury in February.

Regent’s Stroll heads the ante-post market for the Grade One William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase on Friday for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden, who took last year’s renewal with Caldwell Potter, a thoroughbred part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson.

But I’m not convinced their next contender will see out the 3m1f, and he was four lengths behind MIAMI MAGIC (receiving 5lb) at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day over a shorter trip.

At 5-1, I think the Stuart Edmunds trainee is a bet, as he loves top of the ground, has a touch of class and eased clear by 15 lengths when trying a distance of almost three miles at Newbury last time.

His trainer opted to swerve the Cheltenham Festival so he will be fresher than most here and when some are tiring, this likeable sort should not be stopping.

Three run-of-the-mill cards are scheduled for this afternoon, with CARRIGMOORNA ROWAN (4.10) getting the assistance of Sean Bowen in Exeter’s It Pays To Buy Irish Novices’ Handicap Chase.

Loki’s Mischief has to bounce back from a disappointing effort, Land Girls Luck might lack scope for fences, and Majestic Moment is lucky to have a one against his name.

I feel Carrigmoorna Rowan needs a strong ride, and he was only two-and-three-quarter lengths off opening his chasing account at Huntingdon (35 lengths clear of the rest) before the ground turned against him.

Tomorrow I’m interested in HELLO SPACEBOY (7.30) in the Every Saturday Money Back Handicap over six furlongs at Kempton.

He runs in the colours of David Ward, who bred the colt from his 2021 July Cup hero Starman, a profitable new sire at stud.

Hallo Spaceboy was a length-and-a-quarter behind Castle Rock (now rated 89) on his second outing before doing what was required at Newcastle, and he looks a nice horse for the grade.

Melissa will be providing Grand National tips for Daily Express premium subscribers on Saturday, April 11.