The countdown to the Grand National is now in full swing but while we wait for the big race to come around we have the second day of the meeting taking place at Aintree on Friday, where another bunch of top class horses will be on show.
Constitution Hill lit up the Liverpool track on Thursday and all eyes will be on Gerri Colombe on Friday. He runs in the opener which isn’t a betting proposition for us but two other races on the card are and we have a selection for each.
2.20 Aintree
Preview
A maximum field of 22 line up for an ultra competitive handicap hurdle over a trip of two and a half miles, with Coral Cup 3rd Camprond the current favourite. A 5lb rise in the weights isn’t going to help and he had a pretty tough race at Cheltenham so is opposable. Add to that there were a few rivals not that fair behind him including Captain Conby (6th), Good Risk At All (7th), Nells Son (8th) and Off Your Rocco (10th). The Martin Pipe is another Cheltenham race where several reoppose with 5 more of this field coming from that race. Instead, I’m going with one that is totally unexposed.
Betting
Fennor Cross – This lightly raced Irish raider cannot be underestimated and has a top chance here. Since finishing 3rd on debut in a maiden hurdle at Galway last autumn, all of his 3 runs since over jumps have been at Cheltenham. He won the first 2, the first a maiden over the minimum trip where he stayed on well to land the spoils by 6 lengths. He improved again to land the Supreme Novices trial which earned him a shot at the Festival. He didn’t jump well in the Supreme and probably didn’t appreciate the soft ground so can be given another chance. This is an all together different type of race and I believe he’ll enjoy the longer trip on this easier track. With a promising claimer taking 5lbs off his back on handicap debutant, he really is hard to assess but one I believe is the most likely winner here.
Tips
Back Fennor Cross (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 8.50 Bet365 BOG (⅕ odds 1-6)
Special Offer
Open up a BetVictor account during the flat season and bet £5 on any race to get £30 in bonuses! Click the image below to take advantage of this fantastic offer! 18+ T&Cs apply Gamble Aware.
18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £5 at odds 2.00+ within 7 days of registering, no cashout. Get 2x £10 Free Bets, set events at odds 2.00+. Plus a £10 Slot Bonus, selected games, wager 20x to withdraw max £250. 7 day bonus expiry. Card payments only. T&Cs apply, see below. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly
4.05 Aintree
Preview
The big race of Day 2 is the Topham over the National fences and with 29 runners battling for early position over this trip of 2 miles 5 furlongs, you’re going to need some luck in running. Gesskille is well fancied for this which is unsurprising given he’s been 2nd in both races over these fences from earlier in the campaign, the first in the Grand Sefton and then in the Becher when Ashtown Lad got the better of him. The latter is now 6lbs higher but whether a 3lbs swing will be enough is tough to call. Form over these fences cannot be underestimated & I’m sticking with that theme for my bet.
Betting
Al Dancer – The winner of the Grand Sefton was our selection, who narrowly denied Gesskille. There are 3 reasons why I believe he will frank the form today. Firstly, he is just 2lbs better off with the runner up and secondly, his run style is best suited to this test. He races prominently whereas Gesskille likes to be held up for luck and in a race where there’ll likely be a few falling or unseating, a clear run is far from guaranteed. Lastly, his shrewd trainer has put him away since that run in November, protecting his mark and keeping him fresh for this. Over the same trip and on very similar ground, he will be tough to keep out of the reckoning provided he navigates the National fences for a second time in under 6 months.
Tips
Back Al Dancer (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 9.00 Betway BOG (⅕ odds 1-7)
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2023
