AINTREE THURSDAY
1.45
VOTE for LA BAGUE AU ROI in the Devenish Manifesto Novices’ Chase. Warren Greatrex chose to swerve Cheltenham with his star mare so she will be fresh for this Grade 1 contest.
She has proved the season’s top novice chaser with four wins from four starts since switching to fences. Her debut defeat of Lostintranslation – runner-up in the JLT Chase at Cheltenham – reads well and she again impressed with her jumping when returning to Newbury to follow up.
That was a decent start to her chasing career but her victory at Kempton on Boxing Day took her form to a whole new level.
To see off Topofthegame and Santini – first and second in the RSA Chase – in the Kauto Star Chase makes her the best novice around and she was even able to go to Ireland to bag another Grade 1 in February.
I’m expecting Richard Johnson to use her slick jumping on the front and that will make her very difficult to pass. I would back her at level weights so the 7lbs mares’ allowance is an added gift.
Bags Groove bombed out when fifth in the Kauto Star but that was clearly not his form. He bounced back when dropped to 2m4f at Kempton in February but he’s probably at his absolute peak on right-handed tracks.
Glen Forsa didn’t get very far in the Arkle. He was second favourite for that Cheltenham Grade 1 but it was probably more to do with how weak the race was rather than his form. He’ll like the return to 2m4f but I’m sure he needs to step up a level.
Kalashnikov was unlucky to unseat in the Arkle. There have been issues with his jumping and he needs to prove himself over today’s distance. Mengli Khan ran well enough when third in the JLT at Cheltenham but leaves him plenty to find with La Bague Au Roi.
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2.20
JOIN the BAND OF OUTLAWS to rob the bookies of their cash in the Doom Bar Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle.
It was only Joseph O’Brien’s strength in his team of four-year-olds that saw my fancy go for the Boodles Hurdle at Cheltenham instead of the Triumph.
He would have been well worth his place in the line-up in the Grade 1 if his impressive Festival success is anything to go by.
Despite finding traffic problems on the home turn he showed some good pace to scoot clear for a cosy two-length victory. He looks really smart and today’s track might suit him even better.
O’Brien also runs Fakir D’Oudairies. He was fourth in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham as his trainer shuffled the juvenile pack. That was clearly a decent effort but he looks sure to better over further in time. This track might not play to those strengths.
Pentland Hills caused a minor shock when winning the Triumph Hurdle after O’Brien’s hot favourite Sir Erec had suffered an awful injury.
There’s holes to be knocked in that form but he arrived at Cheltenham after just one run – a winning one at Plumpton – 18 days previously. It’s not hard to think there’s more improvement to come from Nicky Henderson’s youngster.
Fanfan Du Seuil is a lovely prospect. I’m not convinced this sharper track is ideal and it’s hard to see how he’s going to reverse Boodles Hurdle form with Band Of Outlaws.
Christopher Wood and Song For Someone need to prove their up to this grade but both are certainly worth a stab at this race.
2.50
MAKE it a Mai day in the Betway Bowl. BRISTOL DE MAI ran a cracker when third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup behind Al Boum Photo at last month’s Festival.
That confirmed he doesn’t have to have Haydock and deep ground to show smart form and I think he’s just been a healthier horse this season.
He had previously had Clan Des Obeaux back in fourth when winning the Betfair Chase. That was his second success in that Haydock Grade 1 and there’s no doubt he’s top class n his day.
He was beaten seven lengths by Might Bite in this contest 12 months ago but he didn’t come into the race in anywhere near such good form. I think we’ll see the real Bristol De Mai today.
Clan Des Obeaux didn’t seem to see out the distance properly when fading into fifth in the Gold Cup. His impressive King George victory – when Bristol De Mai was a faller – showed he is a really smart young chaser. The return to 3m is in his favour and it’s hard to see how he won’t go well.
Kemboy had a nice profile going into the Gold Cup but there was a question mark over his jumping. That was answered at the first fence when he dumped David Mullins on the floor.
Two of the last three winners of this race had crashed out in the Gold Cup so it’s not impossible he could bounce back. He just doesn’t want to by making any serious mistakes in this grade.
The ground had probably dried out too much for Elegant Escape in the Gold Cup. He wasn’t totally disgraced back in sixth but the shorter trip and decent ground is sure to count against him. I fancied his chances at Cheltenham but I would be amazed if he’s quick enough for this sharper test.
Road To Respect was third in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham when Balko Des Flos was back in seventh. Noel Meade’s hope is probably better over today’s longer trip but I suspect he needs the Gold Cup horses to underperform.
3.25
BUVEUR D’AIR should have a successful recovery mission in the Betway Aintree Hurdle.
He hit the deck and the third hurdle when going for a hat-trick of Champion Hurdle wins at last month’s Cheltenham Festival.
It’s fair to say his electric jumping has lacked it’s usual spark this season. A mid-race blunder didn’t help his cause when he was nutted by stablemate Verdana Blue in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton but it’s probably not wise to be too harsh on Nicky Henderson’s ace on that front.
He still sets the standard and his win in this race two years ago shows he’s got the stamina for today’s 2m4f distance.
The trip looks ideal for Faugheen these days. He ran another cracker when third in the Sun Racing Stayers’ Hurdle but 3m just stretches him. Willie Mullins’ 2015 Champion Hurdler has to enter calculations but, while the engine still purrs, I’m not sure the wheels spin so freely when the pressure is on.
Supasundae is more of a threat. He’s another who is best at this distance but this is a deeper race than the one he finished runner-up in 12 months ago.
Verdana Blue is best on genuinely good ground. She didn’t have conditions in her favour in the Champion Hurdle and she is certainly worth a shot over 2m4f. I think she’s over-priced.
Melon has been runner-up in the last two Champion Hurdles. He’s yet to win at this level and it’s not hard to argue his form this season is short of his best.
Templegate's top tips for Aintree
- 1.45 La Bague Au Roi (nb) (Click here to compare prices and place your bet)
- 2.20 Band Of Outlaws (nap) (Click here to compare prices and place your bet)
- 2.50 Bristol De Mai (Click here to compare prices and place your bet)
- 3.25 Buveur D’Air (treble) (Click here to compare prices and place your bet)
- 4.05 Top Wood (Click here to compare prices and place your bet)
- 4.40 Brelan D’As (Click here to compare prices and place your bet)
- 5.15 The Glancing Queen (Click here to compare prices and place your bet)
4.05
AIM for the Top in the Randox Health Foxhunters’ Chase. TOP WOOD ran a belter to finish third in the Cheltenham Festival version last month considering it was his first run of the season. He also chased the strong pace before just running out of puff.
Kelly Morgan’s hope had been beaten just a neck at the Festival last year but that had come off the back of a much better preparation. It shows he’s not far off the best hunter chasers and his prominent racing style is usually a help over these fences.
Road To Rome set a fierce gallop at Cheltenham. For much of the race he looked like he might hold on until his exertions to their toll up the hill. He ticks a lot of the boxes in that he’s a sound jumper who likes to race prominently and today’s conditions should be ideal. The hard race he had at the Festival is a minor concern but he does take his racing very well.
Gordon Elliott’s Ucello Conti was sixth in the 2016 Grand National but he unseated when returning in the last two years. This trip looks too sharp for him.
I prefer stablemate Kruzhlinin. He’s been mopping up in point-to-points and must have a chance. My main concern is that he didn’t look in love with these fences when tried over them in the past.
Burning Ambition would have preferred softer ground and he’s not the strongest of finishers. That leaves him vulnerable.
Balnaslow won this race 12 months ago when the ground was softer. He’s not shown much since and it’s hardly inspiring that he pulled up at Cheltenham last month.
Latest in Horse Racing
4.40
BRELAN D’AS looks the one to be on in the Close Brothers Red Rum Chase.
He had Forest Bihan, Whatswrongwithyou, Theflyingportrait and Champagne At Tara behind when third in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham last month.
That was a particularly good effort as he was a bit keen in the early stages and he hadn’t previously looked in love with that track.
He’s take a while to get the hang of chasing and that experience is in his favour. The course should suit Paul Nicholls’ hope and he is improving. He should be able to sit just behind the pace and pounce over the final couple of fences.
Eamon An Cnoic put in a solid performance when fourth in the 2m4f Plate handicap at Cheltenham without being able to get to grips with Siruh Du Lac.
He had earlier won over today’s 2m trip at Chepstow and he’s always been a horse who travels well. I’m just concerned this might be a bit sharp for him around here.
Theinval was runner-up in this race 12 months ago before going on to win at Ayr. He wasn’t in much form earlier in the season but he’s had a nice break. Conditions suit Nicky Henderson’s ace so he should run well but he’s clearly vulnerable to anything better handicapped.
Lady Buttons is another high enough in the weights after a superb season over fences and hurdles.
5.15
TAKE a good look at THE GLANCING QUEEN in the Goffs UK Mares’ bumper. Her form is very solid.
She won a Listed bumper at Cheltenham on her debut before taking on the boys in good race at Ascot just before Christmas. That third when only getting 3lbs was a fine effort in a race sure to throw up plenty of decent performers.
It shows how good trainer Alan King must think she is as he threw her into the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. She was far from disgraced in fifth and, if that hasn’t taken the edge off her, she should go very well.
Who What When has done incredibly well in winning both her starts. She caused a shock at Newbury before seeing off Mrs Hyde and Shantewe in a Listed contest at Market Rasen. The weights favour the placed horses today but there’s little doubt she is a useful filly.
Minella Melody was well backed and she won impressively on her bumper debut having earlier won a point-to-point. The form is untested but she is clearly smart. Her inexperience is a worry but she might be able to overcome that.
Eyren was another filly to bolt up on her debut. That Doncaster contest had little depth and she might find this test against more experienced horses a bit too much.
CHELMSFORD
6.00 Diamond Oasis
6.30 Lion Hearted
7.00 Pivoine
7.30 Blyton Lass
8.00 Dynamo Walt
8.30 Top Rock Talula
SOUTHWELL
1.55 Slaithwaite
2.30 Ifreet
3.00 Warrior’s Valley
3.35 Marble Bar
4.15 Diamond Pursuit
4.50 Groundworker
5.30 Bonneville
TAUNTON
2.05 Nachi Falls
2.40 Barbados Blue
3.10 Eur Gone West
3.50 At Its Own Expense
4.25 All Is Good
5.00 Coco Live
5.35 Thesaurus
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News Photo Grand National Festival tips: Templegate’s best bets for Aintree on Thursday
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