This evening bulletin will only cover Saturday – I will be back tomorrow evening with a preview of Sunday’s racing.
With Newbury subject to an inspection I will start off with the jumps meeting at Aintree where some of the major trainers have runners.
The card starts with a novice hurdle where the ex French pair Pouvoir and Poquelin look the ones to keep in mind. Pouvoir won a handicap on the flat for Freddie Head while Poquelin was second in a Group 3 at Chantilly in May. Both are held in high regard by their respective trainers and the market might be the best guide to the likely winner.
Paul Nicholls trains Poquelin and he has another French purchase in action in the novice chase at 1.40. Good Spirit was a winner both on the flat and over hurdles in France. He gets a handy weight allowance here and will be hard to beat. Penzance won on his only start over fences in May and is the likely danger.
Bleak House cost Graham and Andrea Wylie £200,000 guineas at the sales after he had won a bumper at Haydock. He looks an exciting prospect and makes his debut over hurdles at 3.20.
In the 3.55 Blue Splash looks reasonably treated and should act on the ground.
There are a couple of horses from our list to follow in the 1.25 at Chepstow. Although he has some fancied runners at Aintree Paul Nicholls has Ruby Walsh riding for him at Chepstow so perhaps we should take note. He saddles Granit Jack in the 1.25. Granit Jack cost a lot of money and is apparently held in high regard by connections. Scribano Eile is another who is the source of some very encouraging reports. He is already a winner between the flags as well as a bumper and novice hurdle.
In the 1.55 I will be following the Nicholls/Walsh combo again. Taranis has gone up in the weights a fair bit after winning 4 times last season over fences. He runs over hurdles in the 1.55 where he is more leniently treated.
Mister Quasimodo did well for our list to follow last season and I have kept him on for a second term. He makes his debut over fences in the 2.30 and I am hopeful of a good run. His dam was placed in the Grand National.
My main fancy at Fairyhouse is Glenfinn Captain in the 3.55. He won a Grade 2 novice chase at Fairyhouse on his last start and that form looks solid. He should act on the ground and while he will get further this 2 miles trip should be OK for him as he doesn’t lack speed.
Ungaro looks the type to do well over fences and he makes his debut over the larger obstacles in the 2.35 at Kelso. Dominic Elsworth takes the ride for trainer Keith Reveley.
Turning to the flat we have two runners from the list in the 2.20. Intrepid Jack, a winner last time out who acts on the sand is preferred to King Orchisios.
In the listed race at 2.55 Resignation is my tentative suggestion.
In the 4.30 Debutant Loulwa is a half sister to a couple of decent 2 year winners and is one to note.
Mostashaar and Regal Royale represent the list to follow in the 5.30. Mostashaar is the selection.
In the 2.40 at Newbury Dragon Dancer is fancied to get his first career win with Alfie Flits the danger.
In the 4.50 Austrian who has winning form in the mud has his first run for over a year while our other runner is Public Forum who has rather lost his way since winning at 7/1 at the start of the season.
Be lucky
ahorse 