THE Thursday card at the Randox Health Grand National meeting is always a cracker with four Grade 1s and the Rose Paterson Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase over the Grand National fences. The Aintree Hurdle looks very competitive, with the top six in the betting all running off a mark of 158, including Buveur D’Air, who won this contest in 2017. On that day he beat stablemate My Tent Or Yours, giving Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson the first and second.
In a fascinating Bowl Chase Waiting Patiently is selected to gain his first victory since February 2018, with Native River, Clan Des Obeaux and the magnificent star of the day Tiger Roll, who is the most difficult runner to assess, all in the field!
In the last race of the first day the exceptional mare Eileendover, who by passed Cheltenham, will surely win at odds on in the Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Grade 2 for the Pam Sly team.
Enjoy the at home coverage.
Cheers
The Wine Tipster.
2.50 Aintree – Bowl Chase Grade 1 (3m 1f)
Waiting Patiently (nap) missed Cheltenham to be kept fresh for Aintree and he won’t have any issues in terms of getting this trip. At Ascot last time out he found the shorter trip of two miles and a furlong too sharp in the Clarence House behind First Flow and Politologue. At Kempton in the King George he was second to Frodon doing all is best work at the finish, with Clan Des Obeaux back in third. Waiting Patiently certainly proved to any doubters that he stays three miles and we know that he goes well fresh.
Unibet 7/2 win
3.25 Aintree – Aintree Hurdle Grade 1 (2m 5f)
Song For Someone for the Tom Symonds team sidestepped Cheltenham to come here to Aintree. This trip with suit, as he has won over nearly two and half miles and Not So Sleepy looks sure to go off in front, which will stretch the two milers in the field. Song For Someone was my Unibet selection for the Unibet International Hurdle in December when he beat another of today’s rivals Silver Streak, ahead of putting in a disappointing performance at Wincanton in the Kingwell finishing runner-up to Goshen (benefitted from going right-handed). Song For Someone was well beaten and uncharacteristically was never travelling, as he appeared to struggle with the heavy testing conditions. He is much better than that run and with ground and trip conditions to suit he can make it pay in this competitive contest.
Unibet 15/2 each way
4.05 Aintree – Rose Paterson Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase (2m 5f)
Thirteen-year-old Tango De Juilley is having only his 20th career start as he had been off the course for nearly four years when returning to action in February this year. He unseated on that occasion but then followed up with a second to Cat Tiger (reopposes today) and won at Leicester last time out when jumping and travelling really well. He has certainly lost none of his enthusiasm and resolution and he can really take to the National fences. Age is no barrier today, with the last four renewals having been won by two twelve-year-olds and two eleven-year-olds.
Unibet 11/1 each way
Looking Well will appreciate the decent ground, having won over three miles on good ground and has run plenty of times over longer trips too so he will be staying on too. He looked in need of the run when third to Alcala at Musselburgh last time and he needed that to qualify for the Foxhunters. He has come on plenty for his last start.
Unibet 22/1 each way
4.40 Aintree – Red Rum Handicap Chase (1m 7f)
Grey Diamond for the inform Sam Thomas team is certainly improving and has a good chance here in a typically competitive renewal. Last time out at Sandown he comfortably reversed form with Dostal Phil (reopposes today) on good going when jumping really well and racing enthusiastically. Ground conditions look sure to suit and he can step up again.
Unibet 11/1 each way
Billingsley certainly comes with risks attached based on current form figures and yet he could go really well at a big price on some decent ground. Last time out in the heavy at Wincanton he travelled well at the head of the race until emptying quickly at two out. He has since had a wind operation, the yard is in sparkling form, whilst last season he won three on the bounce and he is now back on his last winning mark. He looks likely to set the pace and is worth a small each way wager.
Unibet 50/1 each way
