Two winners yesterday, including the handicap best Sans Bruit cruising home in the Red Rum. Attentions turn to Day Two of the Grand National Festival with another cracking card. Grade One’s and handicaps are littered throughout the card, with competitiveness the name of the game. Here’s who we are going for today.
NAP: Mildmay Novices’ Chase (GRADE ONE) – Inothewayurthinkin @ 9/4 (General)
If there was one standout performance from the Cheltenham Festival, it was Inothewayurhtinkin. His demolition of the Kim Muir field has propelled him into level weights company. If he jumps the way he did at Cheltenham, he’ll win. He won on similar ground too that day and will have no trouble with the bottomless, rain-soaked turf.
Heart Wood missed the Cheltenham Festival after winning the Leopardstown Handicap Chase. Similar to Inothewayurthinkin, he dominated his last outing, winning by 14 lengths. He also has great form behind from beginners chases like Hollow Games, Grangeclare West and Blood Destiny. Missing Cheltenham is a positive when it comes to Aintree and Heart Wood can give Inothewayurthinkin a stern test. 9/2 (William Hill, Betfred, Boylesports).
E/W BET: Top Novices’ Hurdle (GRADE ONE) – Mistergif @ 12/1 (BetVictor, Betfred)
Mistergif was underwhelming in the Supreme, but Willie Mullins is confident. With the run behind him he’s confident the run will give him the chance to run into the top three. He still has that 18-length victory on his record on heavy ground, which may favour him a little more than a few others.
Handicap Best: William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier) – Making Headway @ 13/2 (General)
This season Making Headway has improved massively. He looked a little out of depth in the Formby Hurdle, Aintree’s other Grade One on Boxing Day, but has since relished handicap company. He finished a good fourth in the Imperial Cup but has been dropped a pound for the run. I can’t see the reasoning why and his performance at Newbury on heavy ground only adds to his value.
Sonigino has a good record at Aintree. Two runs at the course have resulted in a win and a third. He pulled up in the Martin Pipe at the Festival but wasn’t travelling that day. Nicholls has a better record when it comes to Aintree and with Freddie Gingell on board, he drops to a pound under his previous winning mark back here in December. 25/1 (BetVictor).
Spirit D’Aunou has one factor that no other horse has in the race. Over 50% record on heavy ground (2/3). Now whilst the main going says soft, it looks to be riding much heavier than the description and the mud lovers will come the fore in this race. Spirit D’Aunou has been underwhelming in his last two runs, but maybe the heavy ground and a four-pound drop in the weights could help. 50/1 (BetVictor).
Selections:
13:45 – Mildmay Novices’ Chase (GRADE ONE) – INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN @ 9/4 (General), Heart Wood e/w @ 9/2 (William Hill, Betfred, Boylesports)
14:20 – William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier) – MAKING HEADWAY (HB) @ 13/2 (General), Sonigino e/w @ 25/1 (BetVictor), Spirit D’Aunou e/w @ 50/1 (BetVictor)
14:55 – Top Novices’ Hurdle (GRADE ONE) – Mystical Power @ 5/4 (William Hill, Boylesports), MISTERGIF E/W @ 12/1 (BetVictor, Betfred)
15:30 – Melling Chase (GRADE ONE) – Envoi Allen @ 6/1 (General), Conflated e/w @ 14/1 (BetVictor), Easy Game e/w @ 20/1 (BetVictor)
16:05 – Topham Handicap Chase (Premier) – Frero Banbou e/w @ 14/1 (General), Classic Getaway e/w @ 16/1 (General), Richmond Lake e/w @ 28/1 (BetVictor, Boylesports), Celebre D’Allen e/w @ 28/1 (BetVictor)
16:40 – Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (GRADE ONE) – The Jukebox Man @ 7/2 (William Hill), Croke Park e/w @ 7/1 (BetVictor, Betfred)
17:15 – Alder Hey Handicap Hurdle – Eagles Reign @ 10/1 (William Hill), Luttrell Lad e/w @ 14/1 (General), Jungle Jack e/w @ 40/1 (BetVictor, Betfred, BetUK)
The very best of luck!
