DAY one of The Randox Grand National 2024 features four Grade 1s and the Randox Foxhunters’ Chase over the National fences. The opening Grade 1 the Close Brothers Manifesto Novices’ Chase looks a cracker with the first two in the Golden Miller Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival Grey Dawning and Ginny’s Destiny reopposing, with the former looking to just come out on top again.
The Bowl Chase features Gerri Columbe, who was second in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup to Galopin des Champs and Corbetts Cross, who cruised to victory in the National Hunt Chase and could be a potential Gold Cup horse. Ahead of the Gold Cup Shishkin for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson was my ante-post selection on the back of his King George VI Chase performance and his success in the Denman Chase at Newbury.
After Nicky Henderson had to pull out most of his runners from the Cheltenham Festival let’s hope the Seven Barrows team are back to form because if they are then Shishkin will run a big race in the Bowl Chase.
There is no doubt that conditions are going to be testing with all the rainfall leading up to the meeting. At the time of writing on Tuesday evening the forecast for Wednesday is around 6mm of rain, which is much better than expected. Across the three days of racing it is predicted there will be around 12mm of rain with Thursday evening looking the heaviest.
Looking forward to being at Aintree from Wednesday through to Grand National day on Saturday.
Enjoy whether you are at Aintree for Thursday’s fantastic meeting or watching #athome on ITV Racing or Racing TV.
Cheers
The Wine Tipster
2.20 Aintree – Boodles 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle Grade 1 (2m 1f)
Nurburgring had looked progressive before a disappointing effort in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, but he was given a ride that didn’t play to his strengths there – he stays and battles hard – but all the same, he kept trying all the way to the line to take fourth late on. In the hope he gets a much more positive ride here, and this turns into a battle, which he’ll love, he’s the value option to turn the Triumph form around in the testing conditions.
3.30 Aintree – Aintree Hurdle Grade 1 (2m 4f)
Bob Olinger looks a rock-solid favourite to win the Aintree Hurdle, with conditions ideal for him (and against a few others). He has his own ideas at times but has looked back to form this season with ready wins at Navan and then in the Relkeel, both Grade 2s. He lost nothing in defeat dropped back to two miles in the Irish Champion Hurdle, finding only State Man too good. He holds Impaire Et Passe on that form and will appreciate the step back up in trip.
4.05 Aintree – Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase (2m 5f)
Annamix (nap) looks to have had this as his target for the season, perhaps unsurprising given how well he took to these fences in 2022 when third to Mac Tottie in the Topham that year. On that occasion he was always prominent when jumping well and running enthusiastically throughout. He loves heavy ground and comes here off the back of an easy win at Gowran Park in deep ground. There is plenty to like about Annamix’s chances of taking this year’s Foxhunters.
Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE and MONEY BACK AS CASH if your pick finishes 2md or 3rd in this race!
Espoir De Guye was with Paul Nicholls and reached a mark of 150 at his peak in the 2019/2020 season. He joined the Sam Loxton team in January of this year and has had three starts. including a win over Famous Clermont (Foxhunters’ 2023 winner), who admittedly made a mistake at the last, yet Espoir De Guye jumped well throughout and relished the testing conditions. He was odds-on on his most recent appearance last month at Ludlow when just losing out to Captain Tommy (reopposes here) when not quite picking up after the last. Espoir De Guye has never fallen and if taking to the Grand National fences has the right attitude with that touch of class too to run a big race for each way players.
4.40 Aintree – Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (2m)
Mackenberg might not have the most striking form figures this season of 627U, although he had three starts ago finished a close second at Wetherby to Getaway Luv when staying on well after being hampered at the last. On his last appearance he was well clear at Hereford when veering left when hitting the last and unseating the rider when the saddle slipped. The handicapper raised him 4lbs to 142 and he had on that occasion at Hereford jumped out to the left so going left-handed at Aintree will suit him. Mackenberg couldn’t lie up with them in this race last year, however of his nine career wins, four have been on soft going and this outsider in the field has always looked like he can achieve more.
Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race!
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