Aintree Day 2 Preview & Selections

After a profitable Day 1, we’re hoping to keep up the nice returns on the second day of Aintree’s Grand National meeting.

2.00 – Top Novices Hurdle – 2m 110yds – Grade 2

We started off yesterday with a nice-priced win in the opener, the 4yo  hurdle. However, today’s opener isn’t quite as straightforward a task, mainly because the majority of horses in the race look like they could well be the winner. I’m finding it really hard to narrow down to profitable betting options.

Josses Hill is the current favourite and is very strong in the market. Nicky Henderson has run this race the last two years in a row and with Josses Hill ran a very strong race to finish 2^nd  to Vautour in the Supreme, without the benefit of having Barry Geraghty on board. He beat Sgt Reckless that day, and should verify that form today.

As for an each-way bet, Amore Alato may be written off by some based on the fact that Irving, well beaten in the Supreme, didn’t have any trouble in beating him in his last start. However, at 14/1, I wouldn’t mind an e/w bet on him, based on good performances on his last three outings and the fact that I think he’ll love it at Aintree on his first course start.

JOSSES HILL 15/8
AMORE ALATO E/W 14/1

2.30 – Mildmay Novices Chase – 3m 1f – Grade 1

Again, I’m going to have to back the favourite in this field of six. O’Faolains Boy ran a great race to win the RSA at Cheltenham last month when losing a shoe. After the race, Barry Geraghty’s comments were of great interest – he said that the horse was capable of winning much more and that he underperformed on the day. To be that critical immediately after winning a race at the festival is incredible and it shows how highly Geraghty thinks of the O’Faolains Boy. The only problem could be how tough that Cheltenham race was on him, and there might be doubt as to whether or not he will be as fresh as some opponents today.

Wonderful Charm also follows up from a big run at Cheltenham, coming 5^th in the JLT despite being badly hampered. He’s capable of getting a better result, especially on his return to a flat track. However, I think it will be either Holywell or Don Cossack chasing home O’Faolains Boy. After a shaky start to his chasing career, Holywell has found form and has now won three in a row promisingly. He follows up from a festival win today, and could come close to emulating Cheltenham form. Don Cossack, on the other hand, fell in the RSA while travelling well and looks well suited to this race.

The bet, though, is O’Faolains Boy. As a side note, we have an ante-post bet on him in next year’s Gold Cup from a few years ago, and it would be nice to see him complete the first step to getting there in this race.

O’FAOLAINS BOY 11/4

3.05 – Melling Chase – 2m 4f – Grade 1

It’s far from a stellar renewal of the BetFred Melling Chase. In fact, it’s an abysmal one. The thoughts of Sprinter Sacre beating Cue Card and Flemenstar last year are a huge contrast to the year’s race, where the favourite is Rajdhani Express.

From a betting perspective, I’m happy enough with the current state of affairs, though, as my selection sits comfortably at third in the market at an attractive price of 11/2. He has a good record at the Grand National meeting, and his run in the Champion Chase is well worth watching – he was making up for lost ground very quickly travelling up the hill. 11/2 is a massive price in my opinion, especially with Paddy Power who are offering money back if he comes 2^nd or 3^rd. At a nice price, he could be the bet of the day at Aintree today, and it would be nice to be in a good position heading into the trappy Topham Chase and Sefton Novices Hurdle.

WISHFULL THINKING 11/2

Summary

·         2.00 – Josses Hill 15/8
Amore Alato e/w 14/1

·         2.30 – O’Faolains Boy 11/4

·         3.05 – Wishfull Thinking 11/2

·         Optional trebles for people wishing to have another bet or a chance to vamp up their winnings: (Treble x2 – JH, OFB, WT – AA, OFB, WT). Staked: 2pts

·         If even stakes, 4pts stakes excluding trebles, or 6 including trebles. Interestingly, we made more than 4pts in profit yesterday, so if you don’t do the trebles, you’re actually playing with yesterday’s winnings, ie, you’re guaranteed to finish in profit even if everything loses – but why would we talk about everything losing?!

The rest of the races are for watching for me but I wouldn’t put you off a  bet considering it is the Grand National Meeting, and the Topham Chase and Sefton Novices Hurdle are both great races which you may wish to have an interest in.

The very best of luck with whatever you back, and remember as always to only bet what you can afford to lose.

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