It's scarcely believable that 23 days ago was the start of the Cheltenham Festival yet here we are. British Summer Time has broken down the door of Spring and the sun has come shining through it. For the next 3 days that sun will be beating down on the Merseyside grass at Aintree and what a week we have in store. We have the very best on show tomorrow and I can't wait for it!
13:45, EBC Group Manifesto Novices' Chase
Jango Baie 5/2, 2pts win
This is a seriously hot race to start the meeting with and I'm siding with the Arkle winner to come out on top again now sent back up in trip to a more favourable distance. Impare Et Passe won the Aintree Hurdle on this day last year but his jumping has been a worry lately and this is a stiff track where he won't be able to get away with not being fluent over his obstacles. There's also got to be the slight worry about the sounder surface as well. I like Gidleigh Park and think he's classy but I'm also not keen on him on this sort of ground and his lack of experience could count against him. The selection however, has plenty of experience and I don't think he actually had too hard a race in the Arkle last month. He did well to win that day and this extra trip should help him travel better. I think he's a sound bet at 5/2.
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14:20, Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle
Live Conti 7/1, 1pt win
Anyone who has read my blog will tell you how much of a great result Puturhandstogether was when he bolted up in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival last month. He looked like a graded horse that day and with Lulamba's absence in this race he's been well found int the market and is now a best priced 13/8 to take this. That's short enough for me given that Fred Winter winners have a woeful record at Aintree and he was plotted up for that race with this now being the after-thought. He was impressive enough that day to warrant being favourite but I'd rather take a chance on Dan Skelton's Live Conti at much bigger odds. He's only had one run in the UK since moving over from France (won on only start) and he never had to come out of second gear to bolt up at Wetherby. He's been trained for this race having missed Cheltenham so comes here fresher than most. He's got a big reputation and looked like a really nice type last time out. He's open to any amount of improvement.
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13:55, Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph Bowl Chase
No Bet
This is a hell of a race but with so many concerns about every runner in the field, I feel this is just one to sit back and enjoy. I'd like to see Grey Dawning win as he could well be the best long distance chaser in Britain and having missed Cheltenham he's entitled to be favourite. He's failed to win in 3 starts at Aintree however, and he may well find his ground lively enough. The same could be said of Spillane's Tower however, and although he ran a huge race to finish a close second to Ryanair winner Fact To File back in November, he arrives here off a very flat effort in the King George. Ahoy Senor loves Aintree and will run well again I'm sure but he's failed to finish in his last 3 starts now and is unlikely to get a freebie in front. He'd be a popular winner though and I'd cheer him on if we was in front heading for home - he just needs his jumping to hold out.
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15:30, William Hill Aintree Hurdle
No Bet
The greatest hurdler I have ever seen is Constitution Hill and unfortunately he lost his unbeaten record when falling at the half way point in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham 23 days ago. He's up against Lossiemouth here who many fancy will get closer to him today than she did at Kempton. That's down to this being over a half mile further than the Christmas Hurdle and this is more her sandpit than Nicky Henderson's great horse. But I'm a firm believer in class and Constitution Hill has that dripping out of every pore. Barring a fall, he wins.
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16:05, Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase
Presentandcounting 33/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)
This is one of the best renewals of the Foxhunters' that I can remember. Willitgoahead must have a huge chance after running so well at Cheltenham last month but this is just as quality a race as that so he's no certainty. My Drogo was a very classy novice back in the day and has been expertly handled to get back to a big day like this. He could easily route this lot but so could Lifetime Ambition who has had this as the aim for a long time by shrewd Irish connections and the drop in trip looks ideal. Famous Clermont won this well back in 2023 and looks to be as good as ever. The front end of the market have little to split them so I will take a punt on Presentandcounting at much bigger odds. He ran a decent race last time out when third behind a couple of today's rivals but that was over a much longer trip and he's been shaping recently as though he needs to run over shorter. He's a great jumper who will appreciate this nicer ground and it's really interesting that Irish jockey Dereck O'Connot has been given the ride. This horse enjoys getting into a rhythm up front and that has played out well for winners of this in the past.
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16:40, Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase
My Mate Mozzie 11/2, 1.5pts each-way (4 places)
I don't think this is a very good renewal and nothing looks obviously well handicapped so to that end I think today is going to be the day that My Mate Mozzie finally lands a big prize. He's been knocking on the door for a while now without success but he ran a great race in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham and will have everything in his favour here.
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