Hi all,
Mac Swiney was the highlight of yesterday with his gutsy win in the Vertem Futurity. Frodon put in a masterclass of jumping at Cheltenham. He was the only one that I failed to put on my betting shortlist that I wish I had done. In his case I talked myself out of it at a very late stage.
That’s racing and we move onto Aintree today for the first time this season. It’s a good card with some good field sizes due to the eased ground. This morning the going has changed from an overnight good to soft to soft.
Aintree
1:22 – Every Race Live On Racing TV Veterans’ Handicap Chase – 3m 1f
Venetia Williams saddles last years winner of this veteran’s chase and she has a good chance of back to back wins in the race with One Style. The 10-year-old was bidding for a six timer when falling in the Kim Muir Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. He goes well on rain softened ground and won first time up last season.
Previous C&D winner Minella Celebration returned from a 138-day layoff to win the valuable Summer Cup at Uttoxeter on his last start. He’s just 1lb higher here and provided they go a decent gallop she should be there or thereabouts and could be worth a saver.
1pt win – One Style – 7/1 @ Bet365
1pt win – Minella Celebration – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1:57 – Monet’s Garden Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) – 2m 4f
The recent rain means a good-sized field of 12 have been declared to run in the most valuable jumps race of the weekend.
Midnight Shadow ran a decent enough race when 6th in the Marsh Novices Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Won one of his six starts when chasing last season and there should be more to come in his second season over the larger obstacles. A winner here over hurdles, he’s ground versatile and although this would be his first start for 227-days, he’s 2 wins from 4 runs 3 places when returning from a 121-day layoff.
I will be surprised if Itchy Feet doesn’t prove to be better this season than his mark of 154 and has a favorites chance on his seasonal reappearance. There’s not much juice in his price although the soft ground is a big plus for the 6-year-old.
Oldgrangewood improved for a wind op last season when winning at Newbury & Cheltenham last season before finishing 4th of 23 Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate at the Festival In March. Trainer can get one ready first time but the 9-year-old did seem to need his first run last season when third here last November.
Magic Saint was well behind Oldgrangewood at Cheltenham in January but a flatter track suits him much better. Yet to win beyond 2m 2f so stamina to prove here but he looks worth another go at the distance and mark of 154 looks workable for the 6-year-old.
Verdict: An excellent renewal of the race. Itchy Feet is the right favourite. However, I’m playing two at bigger odds in Midnight Shadow and Magic Saint.
1pt win – Midnight Shadow – 9/1 – Gen
1pt win – Magic Saint – 15/2 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
2:32 – Watch Race Replays At racingtv.com Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3) – 3m 1f
A tricky novice’s handicap chase. Acey Milan, trained by Anthony Honeyball, a useful staying handicap hurdler in the mud. The 6-year-old makes his chase debut here off what looks a competitive mark of 130 if he takes to the larger obstacles.
1pt win – Acey Milan – 8/1 – Gen
3:42 – arenagroup.com Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) – 2m 4f
En Meme Temps a winner at Ascot for his previous yard in March 2019. Ran well on both starts for Phil Kirby. Shaped like there was a race in him off his present mark when 3rd of 11 at Cheltenham in January. First run for 274-days but he ran well his seasonal return 12 months ago, off a 207-day layoff, to suggest he can go well here.
Point Of Principle ran a cracker on his seasonal return in 2018 and finished 2nd of 20 over C&D (soft) in April of 2019, off 1lb lower. Below form on both starts last season but not without a chance if reproducing his previous C&D form.
Both have claims of getting into the money if ready to roll with a slight preference for En Meme Temps.
1pt each way – En Meme Temps – 12/1 @ Paddy Power & Sky Bet (both paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
Cheers
John