Aintree Festival Preview - Day #2

 Aintree Festival Preview - Day #2


13.45 - Mildmay Novices' Chase

The opener on day 2 looks a pretty tricky one to solve. Although the favourite brings the best piece of form into the race I feel he's more suited to an intermediate trip so I wouldn't want to take the short price about him. The one I've landed on is STELLAR STORY. He was 2nd In the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham a few weeks back which could be turn out to be some solid form and I could see him running a big race here.

Although I don't fancy him here its clear that HANDSTANDS has got the form in the book to justify favouritism. All be it a narrow victory he was very good at Sandown beating Jango Baie and comes here with a massive chance.

Selection: Stellar Story EW


Danger: Handstands




14.20 - William Hill Handicap Hurdle

I mentioned the first race on day 2 was a tough one to judge but it looks like this one might be even harder but the one I've picked out in this is WADE OUT for Olly Murphy. He's shown some good pieces of form this season beating some respectable horses along the way and comes into this off a very workable mark of 128. I think he could go close here.

Another at a decent price would be LISTENTOYOURHEART. Dan Skelton knows how to get one ready for a handicap hurdle and this mare always seems to run her race. Again I'd wait for extra places on the day but I think she'd have a decent chance of picking up some prize money here.

Selection: Wade Out


E/W Selection: Listentoyourheart EW



14.55 - Top Novices' Hurdle

Although he ran a credible race in the Supreme I'm keen to take on the favourite Romeo Coolio here as his price is short enough now and I'm doing so with Fergal O'Brian trained TRIPOLI FLYER. He blew me away in the Dovecote at Kempton last time out and connections purposely skipped the Cheltenham Festival with this race in mind. A real speed test on good ground would suit him down to the ground and will come here with a huge chance. 

One that I think will run another huge race here is the mare DIVA LUNA. She was travelling so well in the Mares Novice Hurdle at a big price and still managed to stay on for 3rd up the running. Her most eye catching performance to date was at this meeting last year in the Mares Bumper so with course form on her side I could see her running into the frame at least.


Selection: Tripoli Flyer


E/W Selection: Diva Luna 

15.00 - Melling Chase

I must admit when the market first opened for this race I was quite keen to take on the market leader again however since the field has cut up the way it has I just cant see past the favourite JONBON. He dissapointed in the champion chase as we all know but in a much weaker field here he should take all the beating. This wouldn't be the strongest odds on shot of the week but I just can't see any in here capable of putting it up to him.

The danger for me would be a fellow course and distance winner in PROTEKTORAT. He's another honest horse who always runs to is capability which he showed again at the Cheltenham Festival where he finished 4th in the Ryanair Chase. I'd be surprised if he can go toe to toe with Jonbon but if the race does fall apart he will be there to pick up the pieces.

Selection: Jonbon


Danger: Protektorat

16.05 - Topham Handicap Chase

This isn't a race I have a very strong opinion on if I'm honest but one I'd give half a chance to would be BAD for Ben Pauling. His 2 wins at Kempton were very easy on the eye and although the handicapper seems to have a hold of him now I do think he's relatively unexposed over this trip and I'll be backing this selection each-way.

2nd In the race last year was this years favourite in the shape of JAMES DU BERLAIS and he would also have a very good chance in this. He was only a length off the winner in the race last year and does come into this off a slightly lower mark. However he doesn't really interest me from a price perspective.


Selection: Bad EW


Danger: James Du Berlais



16.40 - Sefton Novice Hurdle

Now if I'm being perfectly honest this is not a race I have any sort of strong opinion one but if you had to pressure me into a selection Id probably side with yet another Gordon horse in JACOBS LADDER. His best form seems to come on slightly softer ground but has won off good/yielding in a bumper back in November. Not a strong fancy by any means but still room for improvement.

I think it's fair to say that CALIFET EN VOL would hold the biggest threat in this after a good win at Huntingdon last time out before finishing 2nd behind the Turners winner The New Lion at Newbury. 5/1 seems short enough for him but would come here with a live chance for sure.


Selection: Jacobs Ladder


Danger: Califet En Vol 

17.15 - Novum Wines Handicap Hurdle

One of my stronger fancies of the day comes in this race and yes, you've guessed it.. It's CELTIC DINO. If you've seen my previous blogs and previews you'd know I've followed this horse pretty much all season which since his win over Wade Out at Ascot hasn't been too profitable however coming in here off a mark of 132 would give him a good chance considering he's been holding his own in graded races for a large part of the season. This looks overpriced at around 10/1.

I'm going for the Sam Thomas 1-2 here and giving a small chance to LUMP SUM. A lump is exactly what he'll be carrying coming into this off top weight but he's shown he's a very classy animal with performances like the one in the fighting fifth behind Sir Gino. 20/1 looks too big a price about him. 


Selection: Celtic Dino 


E/W Selection: Lump Sum EW

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