As well as the Grand National on Saturday there is some brilliant racing going on around the world with the undercard at Aintree throwing up some top racing as well as a bumper card of action out in the UAE.
The Dubai World Cup is the headline attraction there. That isn’t a race where we can find a selection but we have got two on the support card to go with one at Aintree on what looks a standout day of racing.
1.20 Aintree
On Grand National day, there’s probably only the first race that’s a viable betting proposition. A handicap hurdle over 3 miles, we have Martin Pipe 2nd, Act of Authority & Pertemps 3rd, Catch Him Derry vying for favouritism but I’m steering clear of those that raced at Cheltenham & focusing on one that has made unbelievable progress this term. Double Powerful is that horse & after winning 6 in a row from March to November, his mark rose by around 50lbs from a starting point of 76. Most of that form was on the good ground he’ll encounter today & around two & a half miles which is short of what he’ll face today. Whilst suggestions are the handicapper may have caught up with him, I’m not sure. Since his winning run came to an end, he ran East India Express to a head at Ascot & would have got up over another furlong. That was over two & a half furlongs less than this so I can definitely see where the improvement will come from. He was then given a break of almost 3 months & probably needed the race at Kempton but still ran a cracker in this grade to be just over a length 3rd to Aston Martini. He’d have gone closer had he not ploughed through the last after hitting the front but still then, to his credit, stayed on again in the last 50 yards & would have gone even closer over a bit further. He may have needed that run too so no surprise if he improves again with fitness guaranteed, albeit he does have a further 4lbs to shoulder. Ground, trip & flat track will suit so he’s sure to go close as I just don’t think his ceiling has yet been reached.
Tips
Back Double Powerful (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 Bet365 (⅕ odds 1-5)
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2.45 Meydan: Godolphin Mile
A Group 2 with, like most races on Dubai World Cup night, a truly global feel. The first 4 in the market are from the US, UAE, France & Japan and, whilst I’m going against all 4, I’m coming down on the side of the Japanese here in the shape of Kazu Petrin. Lightly raced, he’s shown enough progress to suggest there’s more to come in a bid for his first Group win. After hacking up in a conditions race, he ran an absolute cracker in the Group 3 Musashino Stakes where he sat miles off the pace. The ground he made up late was eyecatching & whilst he couldn’t quite overhaul the odds on favourite & proven Group 1 performer, Emperor Wakea, he stayed on all the way to the line. Next time up, he ran best of those held up in a race strongly favouring front runners before failing to get home over 10 furlongs last time out. Back over his optimum trip, with a fast pace almost guaranteed, his hold up style, form over slightly further & a wide draw keeping him out of trouble, I’m expecting a big run. The other thing to catch my eye is the jockey booking with the excellent Cristian Demuro getting the leg up.
Tips
Back Kazu Petrin (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 21.00 Bet365 (⅕ odds 1-4)
3.20 Meydan: Al Quoz Sprint
A Group 1 over 6 furlongs & the market is a bit compressed with 5 horses at 7/1 or less but, again, it’s further down the price I go for the bet. That’s in the shape of locally trained Marbaan who had taken some time to come to grips with the UAE but now, he’s on a sharp upward trajectory. Having won a Group 2 in the UK when trained by Charlie Fellowes, he’s been winless since his victory in a Group 2 over 7 furlongs in January. He settled behind the leaders & travelled strongly. When the button was pushed, the result really wasn’t in doubt & it was a similar story on her last run, in a Group 3. The gap came, the jockey said go & the race was over. The winning distances haven’t been incredible by any stretch but he was never in any danger & had the fields strung out a bit in behind. This is tougher but similar levels of form as his last 2 runs will see him right in the mix. The shorter trip holds no concerns as he has lots of early speed & travels so well through his races. Draw is fine too so at the price, he’s the best each way bet in the race.
Tips
Back Marbaan (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 17.00 Bet365 (⅕ odds 1-4)
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