Aintree 2.20 Handicap Hurdle - Class 1 - 21 run - Good (the visual evidence is that any soft has long gone)

 

I'm siding primarily with the home contingent here and had a short list of 6 horses.

 

At a bigger price the Henry Daly trained Blenkinsop, once highly touted indicated last time he may still retain ability but I think the hope would be he stays fit, gets a good summer on his back and emerges as a decent handicapper again next season.

 

Olly Murphy has dominated this sort of race in the UK all season and Wade Out just missed the top 4 in my final reckoning as I think there are a couple of "spring types" in here who could be about to blossom and one returning to Hurdles from hences who could be on an excellent mark.

 

FAVOUR AND FORTUNE certainly looks like a Spring horse and won the Scottish Champion Hurdle almost a year ago, I think he has been aimed at this conditions could not be more suitable and it would be great to see the Trainer back in the Winners Enclosure at a big Meeting like this. BE AWARE is very consistent as are the Yard who hit the crossbar several times yesterday. It's hard to envisage this one not placing if finishing and he looks an each way banker. HELNWEIN gives Alan King a strong hand and although disappointing over fences, he steps up to two and a half miles for the first time under Rules and memories of his Sandown win at the end of last season, and the significant weight turnaround he gets with BE AWARE mark him down as a genuine threat. He does have to prove stamina but if you go right back to his early days, he did start in a 3 mile P2P and a bold move here could pay off. If you want to play to 4 places with lots of enhanced place Offers then IMPOSE TOI is a model of consistency for the Henderson team and should be on the premises once again (The Advisor)

 

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Aintree 4.05 - Topham Handicap Chase (National Course) Class 1 - 2 miles 5 furlongs - 30 run - Good to Soft

 

Mullins has a great record in this race and in Blue Lord and James De Berlais has the top pair in the market and at around 8/1 both have each way value. One thought is that their run style will be ideally suited to conditions, on the other hand in a close and tight finish I think both have chinks in a battle and slight stamina concerns. With at least half a dozen more compelling options and at better prices, I will put these firmly in the "placepot pot" as a banker and look elsewhere.

 

Of the Mullins horses I much prefer GLENGOULY who jumped around these  fences with zeal and aplomb in last year's National before fading in the closing stages, this trip could be absolutely ideal, he's well handicapped, something of a forgotten horse and a nice price. Whilst Elliott may get bold runs off both Mars Harper and The Goffer, neither of whom can be discounted and De Bromhead has genuine place hopes with Amirite and particularly Shantreuse, Amirite needs to return to form but who has plenty of solid back-form,Shantreuse needs to jump cleanly and may prefer more cut.  I think that LISNAMULT LAD is cracking each way value. The archetypal bold prominent run style jumper he could lead these a merry dance and is one of the few Irish horses who thrives on better ground. (Sean_

 

I think the home contingent have a strong hand here and in my own preference order I think that LATENIGHTPASS is a cracking price when you actually consider his Aintree record. The former Dan Skelton trained horse could give Tom Ellis and Gina Andrews a great day and it's the sort of opportunity to put a young Trainer on the map. GRANDEUR d'AME lost any chance at Cheltenham at the start and wasn't the only well fancied horse to be robbed by the idiot with the Flag and his finger on the start rope button. He is another bold, prominent running type who could thrive in these conditions and I'll be disappointed if he is not bang in contention. ELDORADO ALLEN is a heart over head pick in some ways but he's another who loved jumping round here in the National last year before fading and he certainly has the stamina for up to 3 miles and could really be tough to move out of the way if getting in to that sort of rhythm again, provided he doesn't get run off his feet early I think you could see him exerting around The Chair as they turn down the back and slowly getting in to the race from there. Finally, EXCELLO for Henderson has sneaked in here off just over 10 stones, I'd be happier if a proper lightweight (may be Dylan Johnston type) was in the saddle here as I think De Boinville may put up a few pounds over weight but off this sort of mark, a very dangerous one (Robin)

 

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Placepot

 

1.45 - 3 + 1 - (Handstands + Cauldwell Potter)

 

2.20 - 7 + 8 (Favour And Fortune + Be Aware)

 

2.55 - 5 + 8 (Romeo Coolio + Salvator Mundi) 

 

3.30 - 1 + 2 (El Fabiolo + Jonbon)

 

4.05 - 3 + 5 (Blue Lord + James De Berlais)

 

4.40 - 3 + 13 (Califet En Vol + Moon Rocket)

 

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