Thursday's Meetings Aintree N/H 7 Races 1:45-5:15p.m. Taunton N/H 7 Races 2:00-5:25p.m. Newcastle A/W 7 Races 2:10-5:40p.m. Chelmsford(E) A/W 8 Races 5:00-8:30p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
First day of the Aintree meeting and Magic Saint appears to have been primed for a Nicholls family special in the Foxhunters. 12/1 currently. I can see Nicholls having a decent day in Liverpool. Also notable that Bryony misses the Aintree party and goes to Taunton to ride a few of his there.
Just back from an 18-day holiday to Namibia - amazing country, can highly recommend it - and hope to be able to see some of the racing from "home office" The Manifesto looks a match between Banbridge and Stage Star and I think the former can return to winning ways on better ground. Trainer Joseph O'Brien can double up with Nusret in the juvenile. The Bowl will be poorer for the absence of Bravemansgame, ruled out by what appears to be a rather pedantic ownership issue and in his absence Ahoy Senor can enhance his excellent course record. The Aintree Hurdle is possibly the last time we will see Constitution Hill over hurdles and he will undoubtedly boss another mediocre field before going chasing.
The Aintree card first day is as tough as they come, so I will take a watching-brief and enjoy. Selection is in the Bumper at Taunton, where I think the French-bred Il Va De Soi has a decent chance. Paul O'Brien rides for the Harry Derham yard. 2nd fav. at around 3/1 best price at time of writing.
Aintree 13.45 Stage Star. Small win stake. This could all revolve around the weather. If it rains it's Stage Star without a doubt and double the stake. If it dries up Banbridge might pull it off. Saint Roi has been beaten 4 times by Honeysuckle over 2 miles. Beware if he turns out to be suited by the step up in trip 14.20 Zenta. is difficult to oppose based on her second at Cheltenham. I'm sure if Lossiemouth was in this (without Zenta) she would be odds on. However, at those short odds, I'd be tempted towards Sarsons Risk ew at 25/1. After an easy win on debut, she was in front when fell 3 out in race won by Nusret who is 11/2. Her last run was on the AW flat at Kempton and, although 6th of 7, only 4l separated 1st and last 14.55 A Plus Tard. Fancied him for the Gold Cup and can gain compensation for being taken out of the race by fallers when going well 15.30 No bet 16.05 This looks a lottery. No bet 16.40 Third Time Lucki. He's run some good races. Hampered by faller when 4th at Cheltenham. Can't be bothered to look at the rest. At 5/1 should be a safe EW 17.15 Seeyouinmydreams (nap). Depends on the French form but this mare won in a canter in a good time so could be something special and the French will need to be very good to beat her
Aintree 1.45: Banbridge - provided the ground is ok he should be too good 2.20: Bo Zenith (e/w) - Moore horses are flying and he’s done little wrong since flopping on UK debut. Beat Blood Destiny easily in France and rates the value against Zenta 4.05: Fier Jaguen - impressive in P2P races this season. Dieu Vivant (80/1) could out-run his odds 4.40: Hatcher - thrown in on old form. Laid out for this? Good luck all
Todays tentative selections... 1:45 - Stage Star 2:20 - Zenta, Nusret ew 2:55 - Shishkin 3:30 - Connny Hill 4:05 - Not That Fuisse, IK Brunel, Latenightpass 4:40 - The Last Day, Hatcher 5:15 - Dysart Enos, JC Allen Doubles and a treble on the first 3x, singles and doubles on NTFuisse, Hatcher & Dysart Enos... Good luck to all today who are playing...
Having said all that about just taking a 'watching brief' at Aintree, fancy a modest e/w flutter on Not That Fuisse in the 27-runner Foxhunters' Hunters' Chase (16:05). Has a very capable jockey on board, Mr. Jack Anderson), riding for the Dan Skelton yard. Best price of 20/1 available in several places at time of writing. E/W, of course).
Aintree has always been a graveyard for my bets but Cheltenham was this year so hoping for a reversal in fortunes 2:20 - Sarsons Risk 4:05 - Magic Saint 4:40 - Hatcher 5:15 - Seeyouinmy....
Poor old Ahoy Senor - I thought he was in line for a deserved Grade 1 victory there, just seemed to run out of steam the last furlong.
Ran a belter. Two out I thought eye eye and then I looked across and saw Biddick absolutely cruising.
Looked all over the winner 3 out. Battled on well. But in the end that looked a doddle for the winner. How could he be cruising at the last after all that? I wonder how far he will stay
