Racing
Aintree Win 6 Preview | 10th April
13.45 William Hill Handicap Hurdle
Olly Murphy has several runners in the opener but it could be significant that Sean Bowen has opted to ride INDEEVAR BLEU. He was last seen winning very impressively over C&D and has presumably been saved for this event. It’s also interesting to see him undergo wind surgery since that success, so he’s surely got more to come and is fancied to be very competitive.
The other one I like is TOP JIMMY. He was well-backed for the Imperial Cup last time out but fell three out (still going well at the time). The assessor has left him on the same mark and his two previous efforts have worked out well. At huge odds, I think the bookmakers have underestimated him because he’s certainly got the form to make an impact off this figure and weight.
Tips: INDEEVAR BLEU & TOP JIMMY
14.20 William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase
SALVER has undoubtedly advanced his hurdles form over the larger obstacles, and followed up his penultimate Grade 2 win at Windsor with a really solid third in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Even after being given plenty to do, he stayed on powerfully up the hill and this race looks a lot easier. With more to come, Gary and Josh Moore’s charge looks capable of scoring at the highest level for the first time.
REGENT’S STROLL came close to winning at the highest level at this meeting last season when second and was last seen finishing a good third at the Cheltenham Festival. This is a stronger event but we know he likes the course and must be feared.
Tips: SALVER & REGENT’S STROLL
14.55 ThatPrizeGuy Top Novices’ Hurdle
SOBER GLORY would have won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle without a bad mistake at the final hurdle when in front and clear.
To his credit, he rallied to finish second and should prove hard to beat here with more to come. That latest effort is the best piece of form on offer, and he’s clear on official ratings, so he’s strongly fancied to get the job done.
I can’t see past him to be honest.
Tips: SOBER GLORY
15.30 JCB Melling Chase
Ryanair Chase winner HEART WOOD bids to complete the Cheltenham and Aintree double and must be considered a major player. The eight-year-old is at the peak of his powers, clearly showing that he’s better than last year (third at this fixture) and ticks every box for this contest.
The top-rated runner makes plenty of appeal, though Gold Cup fourth GREY DAWNING and GIDLEIGH PARK would have to come into the mix. However, the Irish raider has to be the one to side with, especially given he has the best form over this distance and can make it three wins on the bounce.
Tips: HEART WOOD, GREY DAWNING & GIDLEIGH PARK
16.05 Randox Topham Handicap Chase
BOOMBAWN is down to an attractive mark and has a win and two solid efforts in defeat in graded company to his name.
His latest ninth in the Plate at Cheltenham was decent and he appeals as the type that might just relish these fences. He’s a Grade 2 winner over fences, and has conditions in his favour, so he’s worth an interest.
The Paul Nicholls-trained VIROFLAY has done really well over fences this year and could make a bold bid on the front end. His assured jumping and prominent-style of racing will suit, so it would come as no surprise to see him outrun his odds.
PEAKY BOY has no weight on his back and looks extremely well handicapped off a mark of 137.
He’s not been involved in three starts for this stable but his third to Haiti Couleurs when conceding the winner chunks of weight at Cheltenham back in December 2024 is smart form and that was only his second chase start.
Off a 2lb lower figure, and retaining the potential to improve, I think a career-best performance could be on the cards if he takes to the course.
Veteran CONFLATED could also run well despite his long odds. He has plenty of back-class and has a fine record at this meeting, so he’s an outsider worth a second look.
Tips: BOOMBAWN, VIROFLAY, PEAKY BOY & CONFLATED
16.40 Oddschecker Sefton Novices’ Hurdle
It was quite remarkable how JOHNNY’S JURY claimed the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival having left at the start of the race and can follow up here.
The way he powered up the hill was visually impressive after what happened at the start and I see no reason why he can’t produce another performance like that one in this event with more to come.
He’s going to make a smashing chaser but he can prove his Cheltenham success to be no fluke and complete the novice staying double for Jamie Snowden and Gavin Sheehan.
Tips: JOHNNY’S JURY
