DAY TWO at the Randox Grand National Meeting is certainly a busy one for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson, with runners in the first six races. Chantry House is looking to follow up on his Cheltenham success over a longer trip and this exciting prospect is my nap of the day. The Topham over the national fences sees Nicky with four runners, including one of my selections Caribean Boy, who we hope will have more luck in running than at Cheltenham. Nicky has a great record in this race in recent times having trained the winners from 2013 – 2015 with Triolo D’Alene, Ma Filleule and Rajdhani Express.
Another exciting day in prospect with four Grade 1s, the Topham Chase and two very competitive Handicap Hurdles.
Enjoy!
Cheers
The Wine Tipster
2.20 Aintree – Top Novices’ Hurdle Grade 1 (2m½f)
Houx Gris, the only four-year-old in the race, gets 6lbs from his older rivals in a contest that doesn’t look the hottest renewal. Houx Gris was travelling very smoothly turning for home in the Boodles at Cheltenham and would have been much closer had he not missed the last. After his jumping error he didn’t really run on up the Cheltenham hill and Aintree looks sure to suit him.
Unibet 11/1 each way
2.50 Aintree – Mildmay Novices’ Chase Grade 1 (3m 1f)
Chantry House (nap) won the Marsh Chase at Cheltenham in really good style, jumping the last brilliantly and giving every indication as he powered up the hill that a step up to three miles will be no problem today. Shan Blue, who reopposes, was well behind that day and even with this flat track you cannot see placings being reversed with the third in the 2020 Supreme behind Shishkin. Chantry House has shown winning form on a range of going and this exciting prospect will win today.
Unibet 6/4 win
Chantry House captures the Marsh seeing off stable companion Fusil Raffles ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/RSwIpUmMB7
— ODDSbible Racing (@ODDSbibleRacing) March 18, 2021
3.25 Aintree – Marsh Melling Chase Grade 1 (2m 4f)
Politologue, this evergreen ten-year-old, can follow up on his 2018 victory, having finished second in the 2019 renewal. His is six pounds well in on official ratings and although sadly he missed out on a run in the Champion Chase at the eleventh hour with a nosebleed, he will certainly come here fresh.
Back in February on his last appearance he found First Flow too hot to handle when second in the Clarence House, having won on his seasonal appearance in the Tingle Creek at Sandown when comfortably beating stablemate Greaneteen. This trip is ideal for him and the Paul Nicholls yard are certainly on form.
Unibet 5/2 win
4.05 Aintree – Randox Topham Handicap Chase (2m 5f)
Caribean Boy looks sure to be suited by Aintree and this classy individual has a good chance in the Topham. At Cheltenham he finished seventh to The Shunter when staying on in eye-catching style after having had no luck in running on that occasion. Earlier in the season he beat Fiddlerontheroof at Newbury in November, who went on to run well at The Festival. The seven-year-old Caribbean Boy is an exciting chaser, whose mark of 152 looks fair.
Unibet 10/1 each way
Storm Control has his first run at Aintree and the Topham looks made for a bold jumping front runner like him. He ran really well in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham before weakening late on to finish fifth and this eight-year-old continues to progress, having won at Cheltenham in November and December. Kerry Lee has her yard in good form too.
Unibet 22/1 each way
4.40 Aintree – Doom Bar Sefton Novices’ Hurdle Grade 1 (3m ½f)
Gallyhill is learning all the time and this winner of an Irish point on debut back in 2019, then won at Newbury easily in January of this year on his next start, ahead of still showing signs of inexperience at Ascot when second to Midnight River back in February. There was plenty to like about his Ascot performance and he is bound to shows loads of improvement here. Whilst the favourite Bravemansgame looks rock solid, Gallyhill’s trainer Nicky Henderson has won the last two renewals with Champ and Santini.
Unibet 10/1 each way
