Category: Racing diary

 

I will deal with the Grand National separately but first I will take a look at the remainder of the day’s racing starting at Aintree. Peddler’s Cross was one of my successful tips at Cheltenham and I will stick with him to give the McCain stable a good start on Grand National day in the 1.45. Najaf looks the main danger.

It might be worth taking a chance with Noble Alan in the 2.15. He will like the ground and comes here on the back of a couple of confidence boosting wins. There are plenty of dangers. Bergo is another that will appreciate conditions, Irish challenger Osana warrants respect while Tataniano could return to form on his favoured ground. At the odds though Noble Alan looks value.

Zaynar will be hard to beat in the 2.50 while I have a short list of 3 in the 3.25, SA Suffit, Carlitos and Dom D’Orgeval.

I will also give you 3 to consider in the 5.00 where I fancy Ghizao, Namour and Ballybriggan.

I also have 3 selections on the all weather at Lingfield – 2.45 Jedi; 3.15 Lord Zenith; 3.50 Aetos.

Day one at Aintree proved something of a tipster’s nightmare although a general strategy of opposing the Cheltenham form would have paid dividends. In the Manifesto Chase the giant Mad Max clearly appreciated the flat track and longer trip and deservedly got the better of my selection Somersby.

Only Big Bucks upheld the Cheltenham form today but will that trend continue? Well, in the first race Menorah who won the Supreme Novices at the Festival will probably start favourite. He is a consistent sort and it is difficult to see him being out of the frame. If you do want to find something to oppose him with then the easy Kempton winner Escort’men could be the one. For my selection though I will stick with Menorah.

In the 2.35 my short list comprises Lenabane, Knockara Beau and Ogee. If pushed for a single selection I would go with Ogee. The 3.10 could be between Forpadytheplasterer and Kalahari King while Oh Crick and Tartak look the pick of those at bigger prices.

Offshore Account is my selection in the 3.45 with In Compliance, Pasco and Duers others to consider. In the 4.20 Double Expresso, Western Leader and Voramar Two are all worth considering. If I had to pick one from this trio it would be Western Leader.

Clova Island is a consistent sport and at around 12/1 has each way possibilities in the 4.55. Jonjo O’Neill has a good record in this race so Ringaroses has to be respected while I am also expecting a big run from the well handicapped Naiad du Misselot. The one they all have to beat in the 5.30 is the highly rated Araucaria.

Today’s picture, entitled “Over the Chair” is by kind permission of the artist Margaret Barrett.

 

 

I thought about tipping Trip the Light in my bulletin last night but wasn’t sure that the ground would be right for him. He duly won at 12/1. He is quite cleverly named being but Fantastic Light out of a Fairy King mare.

Tomorrow sees the start of the Grand National meeting at Aintree. The first race at 2.00 should be straightforward enough for the World Hurdle winner Big Bucks and he will start an odds on favourite. He won this race last season and it is hard to see him getting beaten. Tidal Bay has a good record at Aintree but is rather in and out these days and Bouggler could be the one to profit should the favourite fail for some reason.

Cheltenham Festival form doesn’t always work out at this meeting as horses that win at Cheltenham sometimes have insufficient time to recover before Aintree, added to the fact that the two tracks are quite different. Paul Nicholls saddles another impressive Cheltenham winner in the 2.35 in the shape of Sanctuaire. The favourite has won this race for the last 5 years and Sanctuaire should continue that sequence.

Imperial Commander rather spoiled the party in the Gold Cup stealing the show from Denman and Kauto Star. He lines up in the 3.10 and is sure to be a warm order. He is something of a Cheltenham specialist and it might be worth opposing him here with What a Friend or Nacarat.

My short list for the 4.20 consists of Doctor David, Consigliere, Chapoturgeon and Pepsyrock. At the odds Pepsyrock look each way value, especially if the ground continues to dry out.

Somersby was a good second in the Arkle at Cheltenham and I fancy him to go one better in the 4.55. The handicap hurdle which loses the day’s action at 5.30 looks difficult to solve. I will go with Wishfull Thinking who was going well when falling at Cheltenham while locally trained Tara Royal could run well at a big price.

I have a couple of selections at the other meetings tomorrow. Rigidity in the Leicester 3.35 and King’s Legacy at Taunton in the 3.00.

Thanks to Sarah Clegg for today’s picture.

 

Just one selection for tomorrow.  The speedy Noble Storm should be suited by the track at Nottingham and looks in with a good chance in the 2.50.

 

Selections for Tuesday

Ffos Las 4.05 Gala Evening

Fairyhouse 3.00 Frascati Park

Although there are plenty of meetings on tomorrow the quality is none too hot. On the flat I am expecting a good run from Dandino in the 4.20 at Redcar.

Over the sticks at Fakenham there are a couple of old favourites in the hunter chase at 5.00. The grey Coat of Honour was trained by Sir Mark Prescott on the flat and won 3 times in that sphere including a Heritage handicap at Goodwood back in 2004. He had a successful career with Howard Johnson over the jumps with his best win in the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock. He was never as good over fences but he won this race last year. Kadount was quite highly rated over fences when with Alan King and finished runner up to Fota Island in the valuable Red Rum handicap at Aintree in 2005. He is also a course and distance winner. There is not a lot to choose between these two. The younger Coat of Honour may just have the edge.

I don’t have a strong view on the Irish National although Alpha Ridge and Telenor have claims. For my selection I am going each way on Officier De Reserve who looks value at around 33/1.

Enjoy your bank holiday.

My thanks to the artist Nick Fegan for today’s picture.

At Musselburgh tomorrow the Richard Fahey trained Haigh Hall looks the one to be on in the 2.50 while my main hope at Plumpton is Latin America in the 2.00.

My selections at Fairyhouse are; 2.25 Luska Lad (danger Loosen My Load); 3.30 Shakervilz (danger Roberto Goldback): 5.05 Lios A Choill.

There is jumps action at Haydock tomorrow where the going could well be pretty testing. In the opener at 2.20 I am quite keen on the chances of Numide. He will handle the ground and is well handicapped on his best form.

I have been following Vodka Brook with some success this season and he goes for a hat trick of wins in the 2.55. He is set to give weight away all round and as he is not over big this may not be ideal. He is not suited by really testing conditions either so on this occasion I will give him a miss.

There are plenty of interesting types in the 4.35. McMurrough was made joint favourite at Carlisle on his latest start but was badly hampered at the second hurdle and unseated his rider. He can be forgiven that but he may prefer a sounder surface. Pearlysteps has been very consistent and ran well in defeat at Doncaster lat time. The lightly raced Glenwood Knight was second to Lie Forrit in a bumper at Hexham last season on heavy ground and is certainly one to consider. Turbo Island won at Newcastle last month and will relish the ground. At around 6/1 Glenwood Knight appeals as the value.

A case could be made for all the runners in the 5.10 where my tentative selection is Diamond Brook.

The ground will also be a factor up at Carlisle. In the 2.50 both Huka Lodge and Wild Cane Ridge (pictured below) are mud lovers and they would be my each way picks.

My selections at Kempton Park are Pipette (2.05), Planet Red (2.40) and The Scorching Wind (3.50.)

Picture of the grey Wild Cane Ridge is courtesy of Sarah Clegg.

 

Fairly hum drum racing on offer tomorrow.  Rainbow Six is of interest in the 7.30 at Kempton.  If he fails to deliver tomorrow he might be worth trying over further next time as his pedigree suggests 12 furlongs could suit.

 

Just one selection for Tuesday.  Mac Aeda in the Market Rasen 3.10.