2pm Activial 6/1 e/w Missed Cheltenham. Was outstanding LTO. Fry's a hell of a young trainer. Trained to the minute. Capable of turning form round with Calipto. Yard in very reasonable nick. Almost every other serious contender has run in the Triumph a short while ago and this is the after thought. I can't see him out of the three. Price has contracted to around 9/2 already and it seems obvious why.
Can anyone remember such poorly supported grade one's at Aintree bar the first race? The Arkle winner and JLT 2nd run in the novice chase but both had hard races. Oscar Whiskey is a falling risk every time over fences. The Aintree hurdle is so poor I can't be bothered talking about it.
If the Arkle and JLT runners are over the top then Fox Appeal could win this race. He's not a bad horse and he's fresh but the Arkle was such a strong race this year that 11/4 about the Pipe runner just looks too big and with him staying so well at Cheltenham I think the step up in trip will suit.
I don't think so Oddy. The Mullins clan just don't seem to have supported it this time round and injury has forced quite a few good animals into early Summer breaks.
Very much looking forward to the return of Mossey Joe tomorrow who is undoubtedly the clear cut class act of the field. If he stays on his feet and jumps the GN fences well enough I can see him winning this on the bridle (although an extended 2m5f is on the short side). He deserves this so ****ing much and I'll be over the moon if he can win. First and foremost I hope he comes back safe and sound.
At 13/8 ROTO, the bookies seem to think so as well... A bit short for me but it would be hard to go against him if he did get round unscathed...
Fancies for Thursday: 2.00 Quite like Fox Norton coming here fresh and with some decent form in the book. 2.30 Was keen on Dynaste for this but First Lieutenant has been saved for this chance to defend his crown and makes most appeal at the odds. 3.05 The New One. EOS. 3.40 Mossey Joe, innit? 4.15 Turn Over Sivola has finished fairly close to some of the leading novices this season and deserves a change of luck. 134 looks an OK mark for this, if it doesn't go soft. 4.50 Dodging Bullets cost me the placepot at Cheltenham on day 1 and, from his hurdle days, would appear to hate Aintree. Probably pay to stick with the Arkle winner Western Warhorse. 5.25 Nighmare race with a number of chasers coming back over hurdles so a tentative e/w on Noel Meade's Busty Brown who had smart novice form and ran a good race on comeback.
I can see Mossey Joe winning this quite comfortably which will prompt many to ask the question why did you take him out the National? Although I hear they are looking to target it next year as he is lightly raced...
Should be 13/8 to get round, awful price. SPIRIT OF SHANKLY 5.15 Aintree 14-1 missed Cheltenham to wait for this and has scraped in, monster price off this mark!
Yeah Mossey certainly isn't a great price but I think there will be enough people trying to take him on tomorrow and there may be some 9/4 available.
As underwhelming an Aintree Grand National Day 1 card as I can remember. I'll wait for Punchestown. Hope Mossey Joe wins for you ROTO EDIT: Everything looks pretty poor except that novice chase. Arkle winner v Oscar Whisky v Uxizandre v Fox Appeal...that's the race of the day IMO
I would lay the balls off Western Warhorse if I was a layer. Wont be winning, just not sure what will though.
Feck Jose might be the Special One but he doesn't half set out to park the bus when his teams are away at a decent side. 5 midfielders, no strikers tonight. Though in fairness labeling Torres a 'striker' is probably libelous Backed PSG here at 23/20 just for the fun of it.
Perhaps Oddy but that has always has been the case...there is also Punchestown in the near future,which like Aintree has mushroomed and is the preferred venue for many Irish Cheltenham contenders. The GN meeting until relatively recently had very few G1's...there was a lot of mediocre racing tbh. A lot of these events have been upgraded or basically invented.
My selections for Aintree day 1 2.00 Fox Norton 2.30 First lieutenant 3.05 Irish saint 3.40 Earth dream ew 4.15 Claret cloak Last shot ew 4.50 Fox appeal 5.25 Jetson Return spring Good luck
