Thursday's Meetings Taunton N/H 8 Races 1:33-5:35p.m. Aintree N/H 7 Races 1:45-5:15p.m. Market Rasen N/H 7 Races 1:57-5:10p.m. Southwell A/W 7 Races 1:55-5:23p.m. Limerick N/H 7 Races 2:00-5:28p.m. Chelmsford(E) A/W 6 Races 6:00-8:30p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Aintree 14,55 Shishkin 3/1 Bet365, Lads and Coral 16,05 Cap Du Mathan 25/1 e/w WH and bet365 five places, 22/1 others 16,50 Sans Bruit 12/1 e/w Lads and Coral four places, 11/1 others, 10/1 sky five places
The annual conundrum of "will those horses that skipped Cheltenham come to the fore at Aintree"?? 1.45 As far as I can see the Manifesto hasn't seen a Cheltenham winner follow up in the last 20 runnings but that might change here as Grey Dawning seems to have a huge chance. 2.20 Nicky Henderson has had 2 winners from 10 runners since his Cheltenham debacle and he will be hoping Sir Gino can add to that tally here. Whilst I wouldn't be rushing to take odds-on about him, he is the most likely winner. 2.55 Gerri Colombe won the Mildmay at last year's meeting after finishing 2nd to The Real Whacker in the RSA Chase but I am keen to take him on here as I think he had a really hard race in the Gold Cup. Common sense says that Shishkin is the one to be with here as he will be fresher than those who ran at Cheltenham. I was really impressed by Corbett's Cross at Cheltenham and will be keeping an eye on him too. 3.30 All over Bob Olinger here - for me he is the standout horse in the field and I would rate him an even money shot. 4.40 Alan King's Oh Crick (2009) was the last horse to do the Grand Annual / Red Rum Handicap Chase double and Unexpected Party tries this year. He won with authority at Cheltenham but an 8lb rise puts him back to his career-high mark of 146 (finished 5th in the Paddy Power Gold Cup off that mark) and his stablemate Heltenham could be the answer.
Apart from a couple hours this morning the weather has been fine in Liverpool and it’s forecast to stay the same now for the next few days. I can’t see the ground going heavy as was looking likely, especially with Aintree having such a good drainage system.
The (17:15) at Aintree, a Grade-2 Mares' Bumper over a distance just short of 2m1f on soft/heavy ground, is quite a hot flat race. The selection is the Diamond Boy mare (Damsire: Presenting), Diva Luna. Third in the betting at the moment. Kielan Woods rides for the Ben Pauling yard. 7/1 top price early-doors, freely-available in many places on the ATR site.
Not really a betting day for me as I like big handicaps - tomorrow looks better but have had a little today focussing on Nicky H 1.45 Ginnys Destiny 2.20 Sir Gino 2.55 Shiskin 3.30 Luccia without first 2 4.05 Annamix 4.40 Black Gerry 5.15 Honky Tonk Highway Did an e/w double on Espoir De Guye Black Gerry
Was just thinking, what a beautiful name for a female horse, Diva Luna, (Roman goddess of the moon). I guess the owner, a Mrs Lynne Maclennan, named her? If so, a big well-done to the lady! The mare will be very happy with her name, for sure!
A very quick scan through the Aintree competition... Gerry Colombe - 6 Naps 1 NB Impaire Et Passe - 4 Naps 1 NB Baby Kate - 1 Nap 3 NB Popular outsiders Cap Du Mathan 3 tips 40/1 also Luccia 3 tips 10/1 Cheers
I seriously doubt that the current owner named her as she ran in an irish point to point before joining Ben Pauling. Lovely pedigree as by one the real up and coming stallions. Interestingly she was readily despatched on her point to point debut by none other than Honky Tonk Highway.
I think they have been having us on with the going reports - that looked to me that Grey Dawning was just done for speed by the quicker horse, stamina never came into it
