The Grand National Festival has arrived and as well as the big race, we see plenty of great horses, big names and a strong supporting cast to enjoy over the next three days. Whilst the meeting won’t have Willie Mullins v Dan Skelton for the title as the main storyline, we at least will get deep fields in the races over the National Fences which today kicks off with the Foxhunters.
1.45 Anniversary 4-Y-0 Juvenile Hurdle
Not the easiest contest to get started with but plenty of nice types in here who should have plenty to offer both now and in the future. Regular readers of my blog and who watch our Weekend Winners show will know how much I liked Willie Mullins’ Selma De Vary, she just didn’t get the best of runs at the Festival and didn’t look to settle well enough to be seen at her best. She is the early market leader, and I can foresee her going well at a track that favours speed like Aintree. The market has her very short and I can spy some value elsewhere in a horse that missed Cheltenham. Mange Tout may not have gone to the Triumph but did achieve plenty in her three starts so far this season. A winner of a moderate race at Down Royal, the key piece of form came next time out at Fairyhouse when beating Narcisco Has, he got his revenge at the Dublin Racing Festival when both him and Selma De Vary finished ahead of Gordon Elliott’s runner. I think at the prices and back on a sounder surface, she looks an each-way bet, returning to action fresher than many in here who had tough races in March.
Mange Tout 1 Point Each WayÂ
2.20 Manifesto Novice Chase
In all honesty a race which is a bit underwhelming, Lulamba is your most likely winner as the market tells you, but at odds on I’ll just probably watch this race with interest and see how he gets on. Koktail Divin I felt should have taken the handicap route at the Festival and drops in trip having gone over three miles at Cheltenham. A no bet race for me but one that should give us a few clues about where Lulamba could be heading next year trip wise.
No Bet
2.55 Bowl Chase
Ordinarily I would have a few concerns about horses that had a hard race backing up at Aintree but Nicky Henderson has found a great spot for Jango Baie here. He ran a creditable second in the Gold Cup but will be more than at home on this ground unlike Spillane’s Tower who I expect to possibly be pulled out nearer the time. Frankly if he jumps Jango really should have the measure in my book of the rest of the field. Impaire Et Passe backers will point to the record he has in the Spring which is good and Pic D’orhy should love the ground but I can’t see past Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old here.
1 Point Win Jango Baie
3.30 Foxhunters
Of the three races this week over the Grand National style Fences this contest is the one I would have the least strong view on. Barton Snow was impressive when landing the Cheltenham Festival Foxhunters last month and understandably is the market leader, Unexpected Party rightfully ranks as a big danger for the Champion elect trainer Dan Skelton. I’ll have at least an each-way saver on Gaboriot who has four runs over these fences to his name which has seen an unseat, a pulled up and most importantly a second and a third over a similar trip to the race today. At 33/1 I will be playing him each-way to at least creep round and make the frame.
Gaboriot 1 Point Each Way
4.05 Aintree Hurdle
Probably the most interesting race on the day one card but tricky to find a bet. It is just a shame we only have the seven runners from an each-way perspective. We have plenty of Champion Hurdle contenders arriving here to step back up in trip. The New Lion is at the time of writing, our favourite and probably will suit going further again. Brighterdaysahead got the better of her at the Festival and I think this trip is well within her compass. She also ran well here previously winning the Mersey Novice Hurdle in her younger days. I found this race hard to have a very strong view on and will just watch with interest and see who comes out on top.
No Bet
4.40 Red Rum Handicap
If Sans Bruit wins this for a third time we may have to add him to the race title. The annual aim for Paul Nicholls’ horse has not been missed by the market and at 3/1 for all I respect him, I’ll be looking for some bigger price plays. One on the shortlist given the ground is Herclue Du Seil. This horse has some serious class on sound surfaces, a grade three winner he has run well at this meeting before finishing fourth in the Maghull in 2024. The two runs since joining Neil Mullholland have been average but a return to two miles and this track I think will be of benefit. He is an each-way play at the current prices.
1 Point Each Way Hercle Du SeuilÂ
5.15 Mares Bumper
We conclude with a mares bumper and it looks pretty open, I’ll be playing at least one of Alan Kings pair here. King has a fair record in the race having won it in 2019 with The Glancing Queen and 2014 with Avispa. Martini Majesty is the most unexposed of the pair having just the one run to her name which was a good win at Ascot I think this relation to Trueshan can continue Alan Kings fine end of season form.
0.5 Point Each Way Martini MajestyÂ
