DAY two of the Randox Grand National features four Grade 1s and the Topham Chase over the National fences. Wednesday saw plenty of rain and at the time of writing early on Thursday morning the forecast is for a much drier day than expected, with around 7mm forecast for Friday so conditions may not get as testing as was originally expected.
In terms of Friday’s racing it is hard to look past Gerri Colombe Unibet 5/6 on in the Grade 1 Air Charter Service Mildmay Novices’ Chase. Gerri Colombe just lost his unbeaten record when second to The Real Whacker at the Cheltenham Festival and if over his exertions will surely return to winning ways. The Marsh Melling Chase Grade 1 looks tricky, with Pic O’Orhy not running well here last year and Fakir D’Oudaries wel below part at Ascot. Fugitif could go really well, however he has step up here, though can reward each way players.
Enjoy whether at Aintree or watching #athome on ITV Racing and Racing TV.
Cheers
The Wine Tipster
2.20 Aintree – Handicap Hurdle (2m 4f)
Martello Sky looks a big price for this likeable and classy mare in a very open looking renewal. This will be her first handicap since December 2021, when winning off a mark of 140, whilst she races here off 137, having been highly tried in the past 12 months. It is worth pointing out the opposition over that period that she has taken on with Epatante, Love Envoi and Marie’s Rock, all genuine Grade 1 performers. This trip is really what suits Martello Sky, she is effective on this ground and Rachael Blackmore takes the ride.
Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE on this race
Playful Saint is stepping up to this trip for the first time and will appreciate the longer distance, having stayed on well when third to Iceo in the Imperial Cup at Sandown. Back in December he was second to Love Envoi also at Sandown and Playful Saint has not been out of the first four on his seven career starts, which makes him a strong each way contender.
2.55 Aintree – Poundland Top Novices Hurdle Grade 1 (2m)
No Looking Back for the inform Oliver McKiernan yard is going to want further in time, being a half-brother to the yard’s Unexpected Depth (stays 3 miles) and with this race looking sure to be run at a very fast pace in rain softened ground he will stay the trip very well. No Looking Back is a very likeable type, who keeps taking steps forward, as he showed when beating Brazil on his penultimate start with a swift turn of foot and then ran a good second behind odds-on favourite Irish Point (entered on Saturday at Aintree) last month. He has lively each way claims.
Unibet are paying MONEY BACK AS CASH if 2nd or 3rd in this race
4.05 Aintree – Randox Supports Race Against Dementia Topham Handicap Chase (2m 5f)
Burrows Saint (nap) in a very open Topham looks sure to have a hand in the finish for the Willie Mullins team and has been brought along with this in mind this season. Burrows Saint was fourth in the 2021 Randox Grand National and then uncharacteristically unseated at the Chair last year. It was a strange error, as he seemed to almost land on the fence and catapulted Paul Townsend out of the saddle. Burrows Saint was having his first start for ten months at Down Royal last month when a good third behind two Grand National hopefuls Longhouse Poet and Roi Mage, which will have put this strong traveller and classy type spot on for his Topham challenge.
Unibet are paying TWO EXTRA PLACES in this race
Hereditary Rule was marked up in my Unibet blog for the Plate Handicap Chase at The Festival on his first start after four months off when he faded after the second last to finish outside the first four on the only occasion this season. This was on the back of a good third at the November meeting to Unanswered Prayers in a novice chase for the John McConnell team. Hereditary Rule is a good jumper, will strip fitter than Cheltenham and in what is not the most competitive, nor the classiest Topham he can go well at a big price.
4.40 Aintree – Winners Wear Cavani Sefton Novices’ Hurdle Grade 1 (3m)
Blenkinsop hasn’t been since winning a Handicap Hurdle at Newbury in December, when beating Moulins Clermont in testing conditions easily after challenging late on to take the lead after the last to complete a 4-timer in good style after travelling easily. He had on his previous start won a novice handicap at Exeter on good to soft, so will handle these and more testing conditions at Aintree. His trainer, Henry Daly, is very adept at bringing along a type like Blenkinsop, who was in my notebook for this season off a mark of 104 and now is running at a rating of 131. This is Blenkinsop’s first start over three miles and the step up in trip will suit this six-year-old, who goes well fresh and can improve again.
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