Aintree Festival Preview - Day 2

 Aintree Festival Preview - Day 2

Day 1 Review

It was a bit of a mixed bag on day 1 starting off with a sickening result where Selma De Vary was just touched off by Mange Tout particularly because I actually put up Mange Tout as a horse to follow at the start of the season so that was a really tough blow to kick us off. 
We then got our first winner of the day wit Koktail Divin after capitalising on the fall of the favourite Lulamba. 
The NAP of the day came next and this was a real blow, Impaire et Passé fell at the 2nd last when making a challenge which was absolutely gutting however seeing him walk away from that awful fall was by far the best result of the day. 
Unexpected Party and Sans Bruit both placed but couldn't get their noses in front, A frustrating day but we still made a small profit heading into day 2.
A very tricky card to run through so I'll be playing small stakes for most of my selections here.

13.45 - William Hill Handicap Hurdle

we kick off day 2 with a really tricky handicap hurdle and not one I'm keen to get too involved in. Indeever Bleu is a horse I've really liked since stepping up in trip here at Christmas and looks to be the right favourite but you can make a case for loads in here so I'm happy to sit back and watch this one.


14.20 - Mildmay Novice Chase

Again a very tight contest in our 2nd race of the day so I'm going to take a bit of a swing here and go with Doyen Quest for Dan Skelton. Although he's got a fair bit to find on ratings with the favourite he brings some solid form into this after beating Quebecois at Exeter back in November before finishing 2nd behind Salver on his last 2 starts. Salver also comes here and although he wouldn't be without a chance he had a hard race at Cheltenham in the Brown Advisory whilst Doyen Quest comes here fresh so at the prices I'd rather play him EW.
Gold Dancer is the obvious danger who also brings in some solid form finishing 2nd to the likes of Romeo Coolio, Final Demand & Meetmebythesea In the 2m4f handicap at the festival- he won't ne too far away.

Selection: Doyen Quest EW
Danger: Gold Dancer

14.55 - Top Novices' Hurdle

Unfortunately another no bet race for me here with Sober Glory heading the market. As much as I think he'll win it wouldn't be my style to be putting up heavy odds on shots so I'm happy to let this one go. He was smashed in the market before the Supreme and ran accordingly as he finished a very close 2nd to Old Park Star and with a better jump at the last, he may have even won that day which is by far the best piece of form in the race. This would be a selection for those 'muggy' multiples if that's the way you want to play it but I'm happy to let him go at that price.

15.30 - Melling Chase

A proper competitive Melling Chase comes next and I'm going to side with another Skelton horse here but I'm actually going to favour the 2nd string L'Eau Du Sud instead of Grey Dawning. When I look at the make up of this race there's loads of pace in here, Solness, Saint Sam, Gidleigh Park and JPR One will all want to go forward which I think might set it up for something coming off the pace. He was last seen finishing 3rd in the Champion Chase last month and whilst the trip is somewhat of an unknown I'm happy to back him at a bit of a price in the hope he can pick up some of the pieces late on to run into a place at least.
Heartwood would be the obvious danger and he's a horse that did us a huge favour winning the Ryanair at Cheltenham after we out him up at 16/1 Ante-Post! He was so impressive that day and is for sure the one to beat but he is quite a short price in a race that is highly competitive.

Selection: L'Eau Du Sud EW (3 places)
Danger: Heartwood

16.05 - Topham Handicap Chase

If you saw my piece for The Racing App earlier in the week you'll see I put up Will The Wise for this but I'm actually going to play 2 in the race. Starting with Will The Wise he was an impressive 2nd to market leader Madara in the Plate at Cheltenham and I've got a feeling he might reverse the form. He comes in here off a mark of 143 with Jockey Connor Stone-Walsh taking off another 3lbs meaning there's now a 11lb swing in the weights between him and the favourite. 
The other I'm going to take a wild swing at is another Gavin Cromwell horse in Adragoole. He first caught my eye at Galway where he was extremeley eye catching finishing behind Rocky's Diamond before landing The Racing Post handicap chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. He's now off a mark of 143 and whilst he dissapointed in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham, I think the step up in trip will bring out more improvement and is a massive EW price at around 40/1.

Selections: Will The Wise EW & Adragoole EW
Danger: Madara

16.40 - Sefton Novices Hurdle 

I'm going to side with one of the eye-catchers of the festival in this with Zeus Power for Joseph O'Brian. He ran a huge race at massive odds in the Turners Novice Hurdle where he stayed on to finish 3rd after being badly hampered 4 out. He was absolutely flying home that day so the step up in trip can only be a positive and looks to be a solid player in this. It's a deep enough race so I wouldn't say this is my strongest selection of the day but he's worth a go at around 6/1.
There's a few dangers in here with the likes of Johnny's Jury, Mondoui'boy & Dalston Lad all with solid chances so again, small stakes are advised.

Selection: Zeus Power
Danger: The Field

17.15 - Debenhams Handicap Hurdle

The last race of the day is yet again a tricky handicap hurdle but I'm really struggling to see past the favourite here in Harry Lowes for Dan Skelton. Although he only won an ordinary novice hurdle last time out it's his point to point form that really stands out where he beat the big talking horse from the Mullins yard in Mighty Park. Although he dissapointed in the Supreme he's clearly a horse with bags of potential so I'd be surprised if Harry Lowes isn't better than his current rating of 124. Much like the last race there's a few here with solid chances Including Wreckless Eric for Jonjo O'Neil. He was last seen finishing behind Mondo Man in the Imperial Cup at Sandown and off a mark of 129 I wouldn't be surprised to see him hit the frame so I'll play the 2 against the field.

Selection: Harry Lowes
EW Selection: Wreckless Eric


NAP: WILL THE WISE EW
NEXT BEST: DOYEN QUEST EW


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