Spring has arrived which means that the Grand National 2023 is almost upon us. While we wait for the big race to come around at Aintree on Saturday, two wonderful days of racing have been put together as a supporting act, the first of which is on Thursday.
With the extra week between Cheltenham and the National this year, there are a lot of horses which ran at the Festival who reappear at the Liverpool track which should make for some brilliant racing. We’ve got two on the opening day card.
4.05 Aintree
Preview
The Foxhunters is run over the National fences over a trip of 2 miles 5 furlongs, and we have a big field of 28. There’s a 7/2 favourite in Winged Leader and, of course, he has definite claims but, to some degree, you are ridden for luck in a race of this nature so it often pays to find some each way value. In the last 5 years, we’ve had 3 winners at double figure odds including a 66/1 winner 2 years ago. There’s plenty in with chances and I’m siding with one at massive odds.
Betting
Envoye Special – The selection won 3 on the spin at around this time last year and picked up where he left off when winning at Ffos Las on this sort of ground in February when he travelled well, jumped superbly and came home a comfortable winner. His first defeat for a year came last time out when 3rd behind Magic Saint at Wincanton but it’s fair to say that he still ran a good race and is over a stone better off with the winner today. Add to that a very capable jockey who has won this race twice in the last 5 years and I cannot be leaving him unbacked with one bookie offering 6 places.
Tips
Back Envoye Special (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 41.00 Skybet BOG (⅕ odds 1-6)
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4.40 Aintree
Preview
The Red Rum handicap chase is, surprisingly given its name, run over the minimum trip of 2 miles and has attracted a field of 13. Lucinda Russell has a big week ahead of her with Corach Rambler her big National hope but here she relies on Douglas Talking who goes off favourite after winning his last 2 starts. A 10lb higher mark plus the loss of Patrick Wadge’s 7lb claim is a worry. Third Time Lucki ran a good race at Cheltenham in the Grand Annual but it’s going to be difficult for him after such a tough race at the Festival.
Betting
Pay The Piper – The selection has a really good record, with 6 wins, 6 seconds and 3 thirds in 18 career starts and I strongly fancy him to hit the frame again here. Last season as a novice, he ran Bravemansgame to 8 lengths and then gave 151-rated Midnight River 6lbs but only went down a neck. He’s run well enough this term although small fields haven’t helped given he seems to appreciate a strong pace. On this flat track and in a bigger field, he should get the pace and he seems to be running into form with a win off 7lbs lower at Musselburgh and, last time out, a nose 2nd at Doncaster off 1lb lower. With his regular jockey back on board and conditions in his favour, he looks to have a solid each way chance.
Tips
Back Pay The Piper (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 10.00 Skybet BOG (⅕ odds 1-5)
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