THE Grand National meeting introduced me to our wonderful sport, with the three days of racing kicking off with a fanfare of four Grade 1s, followed by the Foxhunters’ over the National fences.
The Grade 1s could easily see the favourite strike in each race ahead of some bigger priced opportunities in the last two races of the card.
Thursday at Aintree is the most underrated race day in the jumps calendar and all the promotional work by the racecourse is now paying dividends. Have a fantastic day.
1.45 – Novices’ Chase 2m 4f
La Bague Au Roi has a tremendous chance of scoring a hat-trick of Grade 1s, not only with her mares allowance but also the fact that she has been so effective over fences. She arguably wants another half mile but the rain that has fallen ensures she has ground conditions to suit. She missed Cheltenham for this and her defeat of RSA winner Topofthegame at Kempton is the best form on show.
Unibet 6/4 win
2.20 – Juvenile Hurdle 2m
Pentland Hills’ success in the Triumph Hurdle was no fluke, with the time figures telling you that arguably he’ll be even more at home on this flatter track. Didn’t even seem to have a hard race at Cheltenham when winning by three lengths, travelling supremely well and if repeating that, takes all the beating here.
Unibet win 15/8
2.50 – Chase 3m
Clan Des Obeaux simply didn’t get home after looking to be travelling best in the Gold Cup and being back to a flat track and a slightly shorter trip are both in his favour. His King George win is still the best piece of form in this field and providing Cheltenham didn’t take too much out of him he wins.
Unibet win 5/2
3.25 – Aintree Hurdle 2m 4f
Buveur D’Air suffered his first career fall in the Champion Hurdle and then jumped round riderless.
Earlier in the season he saw off Samcro and whilst he was beaten at Kempton by stablemate Verdana Blue. He will reverse that form and win this contest for the second time, following up on his 2017 success. This is sure to be an emotional success for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson.
Unibet win 4/5
4.05 – Foxhunters Chase 2m 5f National Fences
Road To Rome (nap) has improved tremendously this year, winning four on the bounce ahead of not quite seeing it out in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham. This step back to this trip, plus the fact he’s likely to go off in front, both mean he might be hard to catch. Sam Wahey-Cohen once again takes the ride and we know how good he is over the National fences.
Unibet win 11/4
4.40 – Handicap Chase 2m
The very likeable Lady Buttons trained by the excellent Phil Kirby has conditions to suit.
She can cruise around and use her superb travelling speed to dominate here as she returns to fences.
Unibet each way 7/1
5.05 Mares’ National Hunt Flat 2m
Timetochill is trained by the Kelly Morgan, has a very good each way chance here having won impressively at Kelso. I was at Huntingdon to see her follow up success in a Listed mares contest and there was plenty to like about the way she travelled so powerfully, which bodes well for today’s contest.
Unibet each way 18/1
