There are some cracking races on Day 2 of the Aintree Festival but only one race appeals to me from a betting perspective and that’s the first race on the card, the handicap hurdle.
The Topham looks incredibly competitive with no standout value whilst the novice chase should be a straight battle between RSA 1-2 Might Bite and Whisper.
1.40 Aintree
A big field of 22 here for this Grade 3 handicap over 2 miles 4 furlongs. I’m looking at 2 angles here; either a horse with winning form at the track or a horse with a win in a similar big handicap. These leads me to 2 bets.
The first is Geordie Des Champs who has yet to win a handicap but has looked very progressive in novice hurdles this year. Before Christmas, he won 3 times including once over course and distance before finishing 2nd on his handicap debut at Newbury. He then disappointed somewhat in a Grade 2 at Warwick but soft ground is a viable excuse. Better ground on a track he’s won at before is a plus and it’s interesting that his trainer thinks he’ll be competitive in such a valuable race. I think he races off a decent mark and with the jockey taking 3lbs off, I expect a big run at an each way price.
The second bet is in the shape of Irish raider, Ice Cold Soul. His chance looks more obvious as he’s won 2 big field handicap in his last 3 starts, albeit one of those was in 2015.. He was due to go to Cheltenham but missed out getting in the County Hurdle and will hope he can make up for it here. His mark has been raised 10lb and he’s trying a longer trip but I think the ground has come right and the yard must always be respected in these types of races. He has a turn of foot and this race is not a great deal different from the one he won last time out. A must for the any shortlist.
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Tips
PLACED – Back Geordie Des Champs (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 15.00 Skybet BOG (⅕ odds 1-6)
Bet here:
Back Ice Cold Soul (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 Betfair BOG (¼ odds 1-4)
Back it here:
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