Racing
Aintree Win 6 Preview | 11th April
12.45 Hallgarten & Novum Wines Maghull Novices’ Chase
SAKVATOR MUNDI was so impressive when beating Romeo Coolio in a Grade 1 C&D event at this meeting last year and is fancied to take the opener.
He retains so much potential after just three chase starts and bolted up at Thurles when last seen. I strongly fancy him to justify favouritism.
Tips: SALVATOR MUNDI
13.20 William Hill Handicap Hurdle
IDEM makes plenty of appeal. He travelled really well en route to finishing fifth in the Pertemps last time out, backing up his previous second at Musselburgh, and caught the eye back here in November. He’s only 4lb above his last winning mark and is on a nice racing weight, so he could be competitive, especially if they go at a good pace.
BOLD ENDEAVOUR also ran in the Pertemps and finished a good seventh, and is well handicapped on past form. He had placed in quality staying handicaps a couple of years ago off much higher marks. It’s suspending he’s still winless in handicap hurdle events but I think he’s got a right chance with plenty in his favour and is another lurking on a handy racing weight.
Tips: IDEM & BOLD ENDEAVOUR
13.55 Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle
Harry Skelton sticks with BOSSMAN JACK over stablemate Soldier Reeves and I can see why, as I think he might have won the Turners at the Cheltenham Festival last time out but for a horrendous mistake at the last hurdle.
He was rapidly closing down the leaders in third at the time and has so much more to come. Granted no mistakes on this occasion, Dan Skelton’s charge can take Grade 1 honours.
The Alan King-trained CHARISMA CAT relished this distance when storming to Grade 2 success at Newbury last time out and is another open to considerable improvement. She’s likeable, hardy, and can make her presence felt at the highest level.
Tips: BOSSMAN JACK & CHARISMA CAT
14.30 William Hill Handicap Chase
BRAVE FORTUNE is worth a second look for Joseph O’Brien. He has made a positive start to his chasing career and warmed up for this with a good second at Thurles back in January. His handicap mark is much higher on British soil but he has more to offer and connections wouldn’t be sending him over without good reason.
IN LOVE seems ridiculously overpriced. The eight-year-old has plenty of experience and has some big efforts in the book in France. He’s run with credit in the last two renewals of the Grade 1 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris and should be fit after a fair return last month. Jordan Gainford is a positive jockey booking as well, so I reckon he could cause somewhat of a surprise if he handles the course. He’s got a touch of class.
CRUZ CONTROL has won the last two runnings of this event and is only a pound higher than when he won by five lengths last year. This race has undoubtedly been his main objective again given we’ve only seen him twice this term. He’s been disappointing on both occasions but I’m not reading too much into those efforts as this is his day to potentially make history.
Tips: BRAVE FORTUNE, IN LOVE & CRUZ CONTROL
15.05 Jet2 Liverpool Hurdle
The more I look at this race, the more I like the look of HEWICK. The former King George winner ran well when eighth in last year’s Grand National and could have tried that race again but instead will line up in this race.
He’s equally as effective over the smaller obstacles and will thrive under conditions. Even after running with credit on his last few visits to Cheltenham, I don’t think the track suits him and this course will see him in a better light, so he’s by no means out of this.
HOME BY THE LEE was a game winner of the Stayers Hurdle last time out and must enter the reckoning if he’s able to stage a repeat showing, while HONESTY POLICY, who finished fifth, won at this meeting last year and can also be given a chance.
Tips: HEWICK, HOME BY THE LEE & HONESTY POLICY
16.00 Grand National
The big one! Jack Kennedy and Gordon Elliott have already been amongst the winners this week and I’m starting to think GERRI COLOMBE could win this race if he proves his stamina.
He’s generally a good jumper and defends an unbeaten record at the Aintree Festival (2-2 at Grade 1 level). I liked his win at Down Royal last time out and he remains lightly raced for his age. The former Gold Cup runner-up makes serious appeal to me.
MONTY’S STAR has just the one win in this sphere but he’s mostly held his form well at the highest level and his good jumping will be a vital asset tackling these fences, which could be the making of him.
His handler is no stranger to success in this event and the nine-year-old has the right looking profile despite the obvious longer absence than a usual winner of this race. Fourth in last year’s Gold Cup, I can see him producing a career-best performance.
IROKO ran a hell of a race to finish fourth in this event twelve months ago and is more experienced now, which could see him improve on that finishing position. This has been his target all season and he’s the choice of Jonjo O’Neill Jr.
He underperformed in the Ultima when last seen but is worth another chance back at this venue and looks sure to give it a good go now that he’s a year older and wiser.
JAGWAR came within inches of claiming the Ultima last time out and has Mark Walsh on his back. He’s been so consistent over fences and deserves to land a valuable pot. He’s continuing to progress and connections are fitting him with first-time cheekpieces, which could eke out further improvement.
He’s still only young, and is getting better and better with every start. I know he has a trait of belting a fence but he’s a classy horse and his connections think he’s a better horse than Iroko. If that’s the case, then surely he will run a huge race.
As soon as OSCARS BROTHER crossed the line when fourth in the Brown Advisory last month, I really hoped connections would let him take his chance in this event and here he is! I think he’s a massive player and looks to me like he would have bags of stamina for a throughout like this.
He flew up the hill last time out having looked like he lacked early tactical pace and going a tad slower in this event should allow him to get more into flow. He has a cracking profile, lurks on a nice weight and doesn’t look badly handicapped off a mark of 155 on handicap debut either.
GRANGECLARE WEST could well provide Patrick Mullins with back-to-back wins. He might have won last year but for a mistake at the final fence and is only 3lb higher this time around. I’m not surprised Paul Townend has picked I Am Maximus given he’s won and finished second in the last two renewals but this 10-year-old has been on my radar for this race all season and should be able to make a bold bid.
Tips: GERRI COLOMBE, MONTY’S STAR, IROKO, JAGWAR, OSCARS BROTHER & GRANGECLARE WEST
