Last year’s Grand National winner Many Clouds bids to emulate fellow back-to-back winner Red Rum at Aintree this afternoon and boasts outstanding from the head of the weights. Oliver Sherwood’s stable star was imperious in his Premier Chase success last month at Kelso and is the 7/1 favourite for the world’s most famous race. BetVictor are paying SIX PLACES on the National and, providing he stands on his feet, last year’s winner is impossible to see out of the race. He should reward each-way support alongside Jonjo O’Neill’s pair of Holywell and Shutthefrontdoor; 14/1 and 16/1 respectively with BetVIctor and six places to each way punters.
Those famous green and gold hoops must go close in the opener with conditions at Aintree perfect for If In Doubt (1.45) to make amends for a luckless passage last month at Cheltenham. Philip Hobbs’ charge landed a nice pot over fences last term but lacked the fluency over the larger obstacles to make any serious inroads last term as a chaser. He looks rejuvenated this term however, winning a Pertemps qualifier at Wincanton over Christmas and third in the real thing last month at the festival.
Barry Geraghty replaces Richard Johnson in the plate and he is a confident selection to reward each-way support from a 4lb higher mark. Connections are similarly represented by Squouateur who was a beaten favourite in the Martin Pipe and is respected stepping up to tackle three miles from an unrevised mark. Another word has to go towards Kings Palace, who ran an excellent third in the Festival Plate and returns hurdling from an 8lb lower mark. A similar word goes towards Urban Hymn back hurdling and likely to go well fresh on his first start since January 2015.
Willie Mullins’ has dominated the opening two days of the Aintree Festival and his Neptune Novices’ Hurdle winner Yorkhill (2.25) is unopposable for the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle over two and a half miles. The 6-y-o’s long-term future undoubtedly lies over fences and he looks an almighty prospected for connections and should maintain his unbeaten record over hurdles with the minimum of fuss. Similar comments must go out to Douvan (3.00) who is unopposable in the G1 Maghull Novices’ Chase. The selection is unbeaten in all five starts over the larger obstacles and, despite yet to run outside of novice company, is odds-on for next seasons’ Queen Mother Champion Chase. Thistlecrack (3.40) should complete a hat-trick of odds-on shots for punters in the Stayers’ Hurdle under Tom Scudamore. The World Hurdle winner made it 4/4 at the Cheltenham Festival and looks a monumental prospect for connections when sent over fences next season.
The betting without markets could potentially unearth some value against the three jollies with the trio of Alisier D’Irlande, Flying Angel and Different Gravey, the latter arguably the best-named horse in training, all value to chase the three home in second.
The 3m Listed Handicap Chase is both one of the most competitive and arguably the most fascinating on the card and is a personal favourite. Victor Hewgo was an unfortunate all-in job two seasons back and Buywise likewise seeing us do our money last term. Fergal O’Brien’s Mystifiable remains open to much further improvement and is unexposed after impressive successes on both starts over the larger obstacles. The handicapper has raised him 22lb for those wins however, and preference lies instead with Mick Channon’s pair of runners Knock House and Warden Hill. The former ran a terrific race to finish fourth in the Kim Muir, whilst the latter has won three of his four starts over fences and make a belated reappearance after beating Sir Mangan 12 months ago at Market Rasen.
Channon must go close with Sgt Reckless (6.10) in the closing handicap hurdler for conditional and amateur riders. The selection was touted as a potential superstar by connections but had his progression interrupted by questions regarding the gelding’s ideal trip, ground and course. Two miles at a strong pace on spring ground should be perfect for the 9-y-o who must go close under Nina Carberry.
Selections
1.45 If In Doubt – Squouateur – Kings Palace – Urban Hymn
4.20 Warden Hill – Knock House
5.15 Holywell – Shuttheftontdoor
6.10 Sgt Reckless
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