Aintree 2.25

 

The Going was definitely Good on the Mildmay Course on Thursday and although it cut up yesterday after sustained rain it never looked really soft. A lot will depend on how much they watered beforehand but I think we can assume it will drain and dry and be Good to Soft possibly dead type going today. Easy to forget that in terms of racing days per year this is one of the most under-used tracks in the UK.

 

I was left with a short list of 5 of the 22 here and a nice mix. 

 

PARTY BUSINESS who won this race last year and whose normally strong yard have only recently hit a bit of form has clearly been aimed and primed at the race and although off a higher mark should run a big race in defence of its crown. WEST BALBOA is also one aimed specifically at the race and kept away from Cheltenham. The yard are adept at priming one and I can't find any excuse at all for it not running a massive race.

 

AN TAILLIUR is in the Tracker and can't be ignored for that reason, it did run well at Cheltenham but that was off a 4 month break and this will be only its 3 run in 11 months so fatigue of any kind can't be an excuse. MILL GREEN rarely lets us down in big Meeting Handicaps and ran another greta race at Cheltenham for us, it' another one lightly raced and with no excuses for not delivering on the day.

 

If there is a dark horse in the race, and it has been backed in recent days it could be MEXICO, this will be its 8th run of the season but it did really catch the eye upped in trip last time at Uttoxeter and arrives as a progressive horse with untapped potential.

 

Numerous options elsewhere but i'm happy to stick with my top 4 and have Mexico as reserve.