The jump season is now in full flow, this weekend marks for me the official start of the national hunt season and I'm ready for what promises to be another truly breathtaking year.
Today, we also look ahead to potential classic winners next season with the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster and we also have a good flat card from Newbury.
However, I'm too excited by the jumps and I'm pinning my colours to the mask today on that code only.
On with the card...
Aintree
1.50pm 2m 1f Handicap Hurdle
Aintree isnt renowned as a tough racecourse, no steep gradients a very flat track so you undoubtedly need a good galloper with s high cruising speed. This handicap could go to the top weight Paul Nicholls trained EMPIRE LEVANT. The trainer has made an excellent start to the season and this part owned Sir Alex Ferguson horse looks ike he has a touch of class and will progress again for this season. Harry Derham is taking off a valuable 7lbs which will only help, the ground looks perfect and I see this race as a stepping stone for bigger and betterthings.
2.25pm Veterans Handicap Chase 3m 1f
NIKOLA will take all the beating here if fresh and well. Firstly, he loves Aintree and thats always a big positive for me at any track. Looking through NIKOLA'S form after a 60 day break from racing the horses form figures looks like this since 2008 5324721 so its not bad really. NIKOLA is also running of a fetherweight with Brian Hughes in the saddle who for me is so underrated as a jockey. Has every chance.
2.55 Handicap Chase 2m 4f
Small field yet still very competitive. PASCO looks like he's dropped to a winnable mark. His last win came back in 2009 at Huntingdon off a 9lb higher mark. Colin Tizzard seems to have started the season very well. This is PASCO's first start for the yard and that certainly can bring about new improvement. The trip and ground will suit and I believe he's the classier horse in this race.
3.30 Monets Garden Old Roan Chase 2m 4f
Very competitive race here and you could thread the proverbial cigerette paper betwenn them. Anyhow we must pick a winner, I'm finding it hard to spilt two so firstly WISHFUL THINKING has alot of weight to carry but if he can recapture the for of his last race when losing 7 lengths to Finians Rainbow in the Melling Chase then he undoubtedly has a chance at an each way price. I'm also looking at NOBLE PRINCE who is unexposed at the trip, ran disappointingly in the ryanair but again oozes class and certainly has the beating of these over the 2 mile trip my only concern if he can take that form over further.
Chepstow
4.50 Handicap Chase 2m 110y
Quite simple really this is my horse to follow all season. I will be backing him whatever the price, he captured my imaination when he won this race by 8 lengths last season. He obviously had his problems last year but he pinged each fence, has a high cruising speed and will go on to bigger and better things this season. TATANIANO.
How I'm feeling about the upcoming Grand National Neptune Collognes - 2012 Grand National hero This time of year never fails to stir the soul both tangibly and metaphorically. After the sun peeps it's head out from amongst the clouds, after the temperature rises, after the first buds are seen on the trees, after the restoration of vitamin d in our blood, after the taste of a crisp cider on a warm day hits the tongue, after many months of wearing trousers I can finally air the paler than white limbs of mine, after...after...after all that April is the month when a new grand national winner is crowned king of the toughest steeplechase in the world. I can safely say without hesitation that this years national is probably the most competitive yet, the handicapper has given everything a chance this year and I'm happy with the three selections that I'll be following. Grand National Selections: Selection 1: Onenightinvienna Trained by Philip Hobbs ...
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