After two days of great racing at Cheltenham, Aintree’s Old Roan Chase Day headlines Sunday’s action on ITV and Racing TV.
This game tames lions, so when you land a nice-priced winner once in a while, it’s only fair to celebrate within reason.
LISNAMULT LAD! 😃
Beautiful pillar to post win.
Expert jumping and an even better ride from @Sean_Bowen_.
20/1 sorts us out for the weekend!#HorseRacing | @BestOfBetsUK
pic.twitter.com/0IdKdTHr8u https://t.co/O0PuzMWBwW
— Ash Symonds Journalism (@ASymondsJourno) October 26, 2024
Yesterday, Lisnamult Lad won at 20/1 and Givemefive landed the spoils at 7/2 to put the column in good profit for the weekend.
Hoping to continue the form, here are today’s main plays.
1:15 Aintree – Petit Tonnerre @ 4/1 with William Hill – 1pt Win
I’m not a huge fan of backing Jonjo O’Neill-trained horses first-time-out, but it’s hard to leave Petit Tonnerre alone in the second at Aintree.
Speaking of the stable’s form, a few of their horses have needed the run, but both Johnnywho and Anyharminasking have flown the flag for the stable in good races on their seasonal return this week.
For a while, Petit Tonnerre was badly handicapped based on his French form of beating Heart Wood (now rated 151), but the handicapper has relented to give him a mark of 125 now.
That’s 10lbs below his last winning mark (February 2022), 14lbs below his mark when second to Red Risk in November 2022, and 15lbs below the rating he had when seventh in the 2023 County Hurdle.
👀 Petit Tonnerre did plenty wrong at @MarketRasenRace, but retains his unbeaten record to score on British debut for @JonjoONeill & @JJONeillJnr
❓ A live outsider for the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival? pic.twitter.com/GYjhI9W5BT
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 22, 2022
During his time over fences last season, he finished second in a Grade 2 on his seasonal reappearance last year, so he does look extremely well-handicapped.
He also won on his first start for the yard after a 165-day break and he placed on good ground in November 2022.
Honestly, a mark of 125 should see him go very close if he’s ready to roll.
2:25 Aintree – Torn And Frayed @ 5/2 with Bet365 – 1pt Win
It only feels like last week since Torn And Frayed won a valuable 2m4f handicap chase on Trials Day in January 2022, so it’s amazing to see him now in veterans’ races!
I didn’t fancy him that day, but I remember reviewing the race as a very young lad! Just look at that haircut!
✅ Torn and Frayed won the 1:55 at @CheltenhamRaces in impressive style yesterday for @NigelTwistonDav under @samtwiston.
🗣Here is my review of the race.
🏆This is for the @RacingTV #Tipstar2022 competition, so any likes and retweets will be greatly appreciated.#HorseRacing pic.twitter.com/Plt5Cw8uK4
— Ash Symonds Journalism (@ASymondsJourno) January 30, 2022
Speaking of the race, that occurred on good ground which is similar conditions to today, and he won on good ground in a novice hurdle the season prior.
He won off 131 on that day at Cheltenham, so today’s official rating of 126 makes him well-handicapped
Furthermore, he runs well fresh as he finished a good third behind Annual Invictus on his seasonal reappearance in 2021 and, for a horse running after a 658-day break, his effort in the 2023 Paddy Power Gold Cup was admirable too.
He gets his ground today and could have the class edge against some more experienced rivals.
2:42 Wincanton – Le Ligerien @ 9/2 with Bet365 – 1pt Win
Le Ligerien has a good record when fresh and this Unibet Middle Distance Chase Series Venerans’ Handicap Chase Qualifier looks like a winnable race.
He won on yard debut for Joe Tizzard in February 2023 and his last two winning marks were 124 and 130, so today’s rating of 124 is workable.
After his last win, which came in this middle distance series at Kempton, he ran a brilliant race off 135 at Cheltenham but didn’t stay up the hill.
He’s seemingly in good form despite his age of 11, and he’s won on good ground four times before, so conditions should suit.
3:35 Aintree – Kamsinas @ 5/1 with Bet365 – 2pt Win
Although he has nearly top weight to carry, Kamsinas should have the class in the 2m handicap hurdle.
This seven-year-old did really well last year for Fergal O’Brien, starting with a facile Worcester success before finishing second to Lookaway in the Grade 2 Sky Bet Novices’ Hurdle.
The winner went on to finish second in the Greatwood, second in the Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle, and third in the Grade 1 Top Novices’ Hurdle.
Furthermore, the third (Idy Wood) won off 120 on his chase debut this week, the fourth (Williethebuilder) is rated 125, the fifth (Toto Too) is rated 132, and the sixth (Act Of Authority) is rated 126.
So, with a rating of 130, he should improve past this mark based on that form.
Grade Two glory for Kamsinas! 🥇@FOBRacing's inmate, cooly ridden by @PaddyBrennan81, wins the @Betfair-sponsored Newton Novices' Hurdle @haydockraces a shade snugly 🏇@ndfehily also won this 12 months ago with Tahmuras, who subsequently landed the Tolworth @Sandownpark … pic.twitter.com/cVZbEbYiio
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 25, 2023
After that race, he won the Grade 2 Newton Novices’ Hurdle when beating Making Headway (now rated 127) and I Love My Baie (now rated 130), so the form is solid.
He won on good in February 2023 and this is one of his easiest races for a long time, so hopefully he can kickstart his season with a win today.
4:08 Aintree – Siog Geal @ 5/2 with William Hill – 1pt Win
It’s a rare selection from me in a bumper, especially for a horse on their first start, but I want to keep Siog Geal on my side.
There are good rumours that she is showing pleasing signs at home, and the form of her four-and-a-half-length point-to-point success has worked out.
This gorgeous princess Siog Geal (Show Girl… aka Lola) is making her debut for us today at Aintree 4:08 in the Mares Bumper.
Out of Malinas like our Spicy Dysy excited to see her take to the track 🤞🏼
💙🤎 #ShowGirl #SiogGeal #GoodStockSyndicate @FOBRacing pic.twitter.com/BFVNIGpw1w— Ben G (@B_GDMN17) October 27, 2024
The second, Jasmine d’Airy, bolted up on debut for Sam Curling at Tipperary and is now trained by Harry Derham after being sold for £120,000.
Jasmine d’Airy also chased home The Big Westerner, Henry de Bromhead’s £120,000 purchase, on her final point-to-point start.
As for Siog Geal’s pedigree, her dam is an unraced half-sister to a few half-decent Flat horses, notably Silver Quay who placed in a Class 2 handicap before going over obstacles.
5/2 seems like a fair price for this debutante with good form in the book already.
