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AINTREE - THURSDAY 3rd April
TALK ABOUT IT IN OUR HORSE RACING FORUM Man On The Spot fancies Lennon to further enhance his fine Aintree record on Thursday afternoon. 2.00: Inglis Drever is one from four at Aintree but this looks a good winning opportunity for him. He produced a tenacious performance to win a third World Hurdle at Cheltenham last time and only has to run within a stone of that to win again here. Blazing Bailey, beaten over 12 lengths into fourth at Prestbury Park, reopposes but the blinkers will need to have a dramatic effect if he is to reverse the form. Kicks For Free, second under a big weight in the Coral Cup, could be the one for the forecast but he hasn't always been one to put together a series of consistent efforts. 2.35: A good chance for Kauto Star to sign off for the season with a victory. Paul Nicholls' charge wasn't at his best in the Gold Cup last time but still finished a game second and he is reported to be in fine form at home. Aintree specialist Monet's Garden will try to draw his string from the front but he will need a career-best effort to do so. Exotic Dancer has yet to find a way past the favourite, Our Vic won't get his own way at the head of affairs while Gungadu has it all to do on official ratings. 3.10: Binocular is taken to beat Triumph Hurdle favourite Celestial Halo but is only a tentative selection. Nicky Henderson's charge ran a cracker to chase home Captain Cee Bee in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham last time, belying his inexperience by travelling and jumping well throughout. The sharper track and switch back to his own age group are both positivies. Celestial Halo will be a tough nut to crack though, and while he enjoyed the run of the race from the front in the Triumph, he is another who will like the track. Harper Valley is held by Celestial Halo on a line through Franchoek and ran lamentably at Musselburgh last time but Star Of Angels ran a cracker in the Triumph and should improve again. First Buddy and Lupanor both won weak heats easily last time and there is more to come from both. 3.45: Not a race to have great confidence in. Thisthatandtother is a worthy favourite and has the benefit of having had a sigther of these fences in the National last year. Katarino is clearly suited by the race and goes well fresh while former stablemate Scots Grey has been laid out for this all season. At the prices though Sonevafushi makes more appeal. He has been in good form in points of late, has experience of the track, and was a decent sort under rules for Venetia Williams. 4.20: Andreas carries top weight here and was running a cracker when falling two out in the race last year. He ran well in the Grand Annual last time too but seems high enough in the handicap right now. Wanango is interesting having routed his field at Uttoxeter on his last start in a chase. He is 18 pounds higher here though and must bounce back from a lacklustre run over hurdles last time. The one to side with is Lennon who is a dual winner here and has been trained for the race. He was touched off by Howle Hill in a valuable heat at Doncaster last time and has everything in his favour. Leslingtaylor is a good novice who will be suited by a return to a flat track while Calatagan, third in the Grand Annual, is a threat to them all if he produces an error-free round. 4.55: Franchoek threatens to improve again for this step up in trip and if a busy campaign hasn't taken a toll, he is the one to beat. Stablemate Group Captain ran a strange race at Cheltenham last time, looking laboured throughout, but the smaller field here could suit. Whiteoak won at the Festival, battling back to beat Refinement on the line in the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle and she is firmly on the upgrade. However preference is for Elusive Dream who ran well for a novice behind Lough Derg at Fontwell last time. Track and going should be ideal here and the fact he swerved Cheltenham is another positive. 5.30: Junior has improved for the switch to Alan King and ran well to finish third in the Coral Cup, giving the firm impression a track like this, with the empahsis on speed, will play to his strengths. That was a hard race though and he has again crept up the handicap as a result. Ring The Boss reverts to hurdles after his lack of experience was exposed in the Arkle last month and he isn't handicapped out of this while stablemate County Zen has to enter calculations if you can forgive a lifeless run last time. Paolomar is interesting going up in trip as he was stopped in his tracks at Sandown last time but finished to good effect. I'm So Lucky has run well on his two starts for David Pipe and there may be more to come but Gustavo is put forward as a sporting selection. Venetia Williams' charge comes here fresh and was a patent non-stayer behind Wind Instrument at Chepstow last time. This trip is his optimum one, he is capable of going close from this mark and the fast early pace will suit. TALK ABOUT IT IN OUR HORSE RACING FORUM
By Bettingzone.co.uk Used with permission. |
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