Aintree is here after what has seemed an eternity since Cheltenham, and a fairly decent card to start of the Grand National meeting as well. I was glad last night that i chose to stay up to watch the Stanley Cup playoffs especially going to bed when it was light outside after my Vancouver Canucks lost the first game 4-2. But hey 6 more games to go and id still fancy our chances of going through.
2:00 - Aintree Hurdle
As always its a top 3 mile hurdle in England and the race revolves around the unbelievable BIG BUCK'S who goes for his 17th straight career win. He needs no introduction and it would appear the only thing that can beat him today is himself. A few horses of notable each way value but the one that is closest to him in the betting is World Hurdle third SMAD PLACE for Robert Thornton. He has been a very admirable horse this year after opening up by romping home in a big handicap hurdle at Ascot then finishing second to Bourne the time after. There is no real reason that he should get closer to big bucks today though. WON IN THE DARK has run well in Champion hurdles before but as of late has found winning a tough thing to do in much lower grades than this and cant be fancied. ACROSS THE BAY and CRACK AWAY JACK look well out of their depth here. TIDAL BAY could be a bit of each way value if he is in the right frame of mind today but it is a bit of a gamble on which horse will turn up. RESTLESS HARRY has been consistent this year but found life tough last time out and has been on the go for a while now, he is swerved today. Each way preference is for Paul Nicholls' second string POUNGACH who was last seen being beaten 2 lengths by Oscar Whisky but this is over a longer trip and seeing as there is no reason he wont stay should be fighting for minor honours.
2:30 - Matalan Anniversary 4-Y-O hurdle
Alot of horses here who contested the Triumph hurdle on the Friday of Cheltenham, including eventual winner COUNTRYWIDE FLAME who has been reported to be in good health since his win, my only worry is that he has been on the go for a long time this season and could be vulnerable to less exposed types. Nicky Henderson swerved the Triumph with LYVIUS after losing at Newbury and to me he looks a bit short of the top. Saying that he will be fresh and could well be the each way value of the race on his step up in grade. GRUMETI looks to go off the favourite for the race after going off favourite at Cheltenham when 3rd. He is another that this race may just be one run too much for and others are preferred. HINTERLAND has two engagements at Cheltenham but ended up not taking either of them in preference to come here fit, there has been a little bit of market support for him this morning. He has looked fairly vulnerable at times this year and can be taken on. SADLERS RISK hasnt fulfilled the potential he promised in his first run when destroying the field in a novice hurdle. Since then he has been upped in class and has been found out it would seem, Aintree will be more up his street than Cheltenham though and should go closer today. GOTTANY O'S looked a really nice prospect when smashing Lyvius at Newbury but was since beaten at very short odds at Hexham, forgive the last run and he should be bang there for a stable in great form this season. Preference today however is for DODGING BULLETS who ran a brilliant race in the Triumph but may have hit the front too early there when stopping fairly quickly after the last when looking like a winner. If Noel Fehily can hold on to him then he should take all the beating after running such a good race at Kempton first up over hurdles.
3:05 - Betfred Bowl Chase
Today at Aintree could possibly see the end of a fairytale season for the most progressive chaser arguably ever in HUNT BALL who has had an unbelievable season be raised over 80 pounds in the handicap. I would say this race may be too early for him after a hard season but every time i say something against him he makes me look silly. But he should fine it tough today and others are preferred. Tony Mccoy hasnt been out of the placings when riding BURTON PORT who ran a cracker in the Gold Cup last time out, i just feel that for a fragile horse this may be too quick after Cheltenham for him. RIVERSIDE THEATRE is stepped up in trip but had a tough race at Cheltenham and others are fancied ahead of Barry Geraghty's choice. NACARAT is laid out for this race every year and finally got his head in front last year, the one thing he has over most of these is freshness after all but 3 ran at Cheltenham. He should again go well but may struggle to get his head in front. MEDERMIT looks like a bridesmaid but it stepped up to 3 miles for the first time, in my opinion this isnt the right race to step him up in trip after his Ryanair exploits, but who am i to question Alan King. He has place claims are best. CARRUTHERS and MASTER OF THE HALL are useful on their day but just look a bit short in this class so have to be opposed like last years third FOLLOW THE PLAN. DIAMOND HARRY is becoming frustrating to follow and he is another that looks a bit short at the top, but there is definitely a world of talent there and its just a case of finding the key with him. He is best watched at the moment. We are siding with WHAT A FRIEND today which may be a silly thing to say as he always looks a winner then doesnt go through with it. But you forget that he is really going to Aintree a fresh horse after falling at the second fence. Paul Nicholls is extremely bullish about his chances saying he has a serious serious chance, it would appear they fancy that today is his day. Before I end this race id just like to say how great it would be for Hunt Ball to win just to see Anthony Knott's celebration in the parade ring.
3:40 - John Smiths Fox Hunters' Chase
Here is the first lottery at the Aintree festival, if you can find the winner of this then good luck to you. CLOUDY LANE was favourite for the National a few years back and he has got round these fences before but he does need an extreme distance nowadays and will be staying on at the end of the day. As long as he can jump while in top gear he should be thereabouts. One that will have no problem with the pace is past winner SILVER ADONIS who seems to save his best for these fences and is coming somewhat of an Aintree Specialist and he seemed in good health last time out at Fakenham when winning. More than capable jockey on board helps. TEDDY'S REFLECTION is a huge price for a horse with alot of talent. If he can take to the National fences then i cant see any possible reason why he wouldnt be close up as everything is in his in favour. THE POLOMOCHE was a once very good horse and has showed this year he still has plenty of love for the game winning 2 of his last three but there may be one or two better in this field. BOXER GEORG ran a blinder in this race last year to come second and he showed a genuine love for the course, another performance like that will put him right in the mix and its hard to see him too far out of it. ISLAND LIFE has been well in himself after winning his last two and definitely deserves his place in the field today and also isnt without a chance after running in some good races over the years. OFFSHORE ACCOUNT could make his price look silly as in his younger years he was grade one winner in Ireland. An even bigger tick in his box is the fact that he has made is round the National fences before on more than one occasion. GWANAKO won the Topham as a 5 year old which has to be respected and is arguably the one they all have to beat today with the talented James Cowley on board. But he has disgraced himself before over these fences when sending Sam Thomas 20 foot into the air at the Chair. I think he is more than beatable and the one im taking him on with is MY WAY DE SOLZEN who is an ex Cheltenham festival winner. He is a sound enough jumper and the distance isnt a problem for him, I don't see why the fences should pose a threat to him and as long as he can avoid the other 25 in the field he should have a fantastic chance of coming home in front.
the last three races will follow up here shortly
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