3 minute read
Thursday is the first day with four Gr 1 races.
Not many runners involved and there may be more scratchings to come but here's the play so far for Thursday and for Friday.
Thursday starts with the Novices' Chase with five starter and the market has Grey Dawning on top on 10/11 for the Skeltons. We slightly prefer the next in the market Il Etait Temps for Mullins=Townend on 11/4 – not a bad run in the Arkle where he was third and this extra trip should suit.
The Juvenile Hurdle is Gr 1 and has six runners headed by the unbeaten Sir Gino for Henderson-de Boinville. 4/5 but justifiable. The filly Kargese has proved very consistent for the Mullins-Townend duo and was second in the Triumph. 5/2 appeals more than odds on but Sir Gino is special.
The William Hill Bowl Chase Gr 1 has seven runners with Gold Cup second Geri Colombe on 7/4 for Elliott-Kennedy. Shishkin deserves a break and comes here on 11/4 for Henderson-de Boinville and we are adding a roughie here in Anoy Senor 9 11/1 as he likes Aintree.
The Aintree Hurdle Gr 1 has eight runners (getting better by the race) headed by Impair et Passe on 11/8 for Mullins-Townend trying to reverse the result of the Irish Champion Hurdle which went the way of Bob Olinger (de Bromhead-Racheal Blackmore) on 13/8 who is coming off two recent Gr 2 wins. Langer Dan has won the Coral Cup twice and is on 17/2 for the Skeltons.
Friday weather-gods permitting starts with the Gr 1 Novices' Chase with 6 runners and not a Mullins amongst them! Inothewayourthinkin won the Kim Muir and is on 5/2 for Cromwell-M Walsh. We rather fancy Chianti Classico (the horse as well as the tipple) on 3/1 for Kim Bailey and David Boss – he won the Ultimo.
At race 3 the Novices' Hurdle is Gr 1 and has 8 runners head by the runner-up in the Supreme, Mystical Power (Mullins- M Walsh) on 7/4. Firefox was the next finisher in the
Supreme and is on 3/1 for Elliott-Kennedy. The filly Dysart Enos is on. 9/2 for Fergal O'Brien and Paddy Brennan and has got quite a bit of support so don't be surprised if she shortens. Misterg8f 8/1 is the Mullins-Townend and it looks as if he should be suited by Aintree.
The Melling Chase Gr 1 has seven runners headed by Jonbon, a stable star for Nicky Henderson and usual partner Nick de Boinville. He's going up in trip but is talented and should handle it. Ryanair winner Protektorat is on 3/1 for the Skeltons and we love Envoi Allen who can't tell that he's ten and jumping well. 9/2 for deBromhead-Blackmore.
We will look at Saturday and the Grand National after final decs are out.
