Hi all,
A quick preview of Aintree’s Friday card.
Aintree
Another top-class card at Aintree on Friday, featuring four Grade 1s. The Melling Chase (3:30) is the highlight, though just four runners line up. The Mildmay Novices' Chase (1:45), Top Novices' Hurdle (2:55), and Sefton Novices' Hurdle (4:40) add further quality. ITV broadcasts six of seven races live.
1:45 – Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1) – 3m 1f
Handstands – Scilly Isles winner, form franked by Arkle runner-up, stamina not an issue. The one to beat.
Caldwell Potter – Cheltenham Festival handicap winner last time, trip and drying ground unknowns.
Don’t Rightly Know – Unbeaten in three over fences, faces biggest test here. A shade overpriced from a small yard.
2:20 – William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) – 2m 4f
Wade Out – 19-length novice winner last time, unexposed, stable in form.
Tintintin – Strong-finishing 4th in Imperial Cup last time, stamina a slight concern but drying ground a plus.
Western Walk – Likely improver after recent return to action at Naas, better ground a plus.
Favour And Fortune – Strong Newbury effort before Kelso disappointment, not suited by track, last time, stamina to prove but drying ground fine
Hansard – Looks well-handicapped, better suited to flat track than at Cheltenham.
2:55 – Top Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m ½ f
Romeo Coolio – Supreme 3rd last time. previous Grade 1 winner, form pick.
Tripoli Flyer – Skipped Cheltenham after Dovecote win, has a good change of gear but jumping must improve.
Diva Luna – Mares' Hurdle 3rd last time, gets 7lb allowance, won last year’s Mares’ bumper here, dangerous.
Jet To Vegas – Kelso Grade 2 winner last time, needs to have improved again but is progressive.
Rubber Ball – Improving, could outrun big odds and get into the places.
3:30 – Melling Chase (Grade 1) – 2m 4f
Jonbon – Champion Chase runner-up, won this last year, tough to beat.
El Fabiolo – Arkle winner, jumping a concern.
4:05 – Topham Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – 2m 5f
Ginny’s Destiny – High-class novice chaser last season, disappointing this season but has become well-handicapped.
Shantreusse – Good run at Navan last time and was still in contention before a mistake in last year’s race. Drying ground, a slight concern otherwise looks to have a good chance.
Marble Sands – Consistent second season chaser, suited by trip/ground.
Latenightpass – Loves the Aintree fences, strong chance.
Bad – Improved for blinkers to win twice at Kempton, player on decent ground.
Lounge Lizard – Back to winning form at Huntingdon last time, shaped well over the Antree National fences in last seasons’ Becher Chase.
Gentleman De Mee – Grade 1 winner in the past, down to a handy mark, stamina the question.
4:40 – Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) – 3m ½ f
Califet En Vol – Listed novice hurdle winner, extra distance could bring improvement.
Familiar Dreams – Strong staying type, progressive.
Jacob’s Ladder – Grade 3 winner last time, stays well.
Mister Meggit – Unexposed, fresh for this after course win in November. Claims if stamina holds up.
Battle Born Lad – Front-runner, needs soft lead but not out of it given he stays 3m and is progressive.
Jupiter Des Mottes – Lightly raced, step up in trip could bring improvement, yard has a good record in the race.
5:15 – Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) – 2m ½f
Afadil – Imperial Cup 3rd last time, placed in this last year off 6lb higher, should be bang there.
Jack Hyde – Progressive, unexposed on handicap debut.
Manuelito – Front-running winner at Newbury last time, drying ground suits.
Old Gregorian – Strong pace needed, each-way claims.
Lario – Career-best second at Newbury last time, cheekpieces could eke out more.
Alnilam – Close second in Morebattle last time, still improving over hurdles.
Diamonds For Luck – A winner of his last three novice hurdles, drying ground an unknown.
Dominic’s Fault – Brought down last time when going well, one to note.
Friday Summary:
Jonbon (3:30) defends his Melling Chase crown, Romeo Coolio (2:55) sets the standard in the Top Novices’ Hurdle, and Handstands (1:45) has a great chance in the Mildmay. The Topham (4:05) is wide open, as is the handicap hurdle (2:20) which Wade Out and Tintintin are contenders.
In tomorrow's column I'll preview the Aintree Randox Grand National.
Good luck with your Friday bets.
John