1.30pm Juvenile Hurdle 2m 4f (Grade 1)
Une Ace gets the vote here. Losing faith in our equine friends is something I very rarely do and Une Ace with the beauty of hindsight probably should of targeted this race alone without the need to go to Cheltenham. However, I don't blame the owners as this Voix de Nord gelding is a class act and is undoubtedly overpriced here. Trained by Kim Bailey who undoubtedly has had one of his best seasons to date and it's well deserved as his daily blog entries and his willingness to inform the racing fraternity regarding runners is sensational. Une Ace has been held in high regard by this stable and his recent win at Doncaster illustrated the turn of foot he possesses. He will love this better ground and if a thoroughly strong gallop is assured then this track will suit him down to the ground. For me he's a very likeable, progressive and scopey individual who will be ready to deliver a late rattle up the straight. One to put in the notebook for next season.
2.05pm Novices Chase 2m (Grade 1)
I've had my selection here in my notebook for the past 2 years and I won't be deserting him today. Alan King the trainer sidestepped Cheltenham for a need to keep Baldar Sucess fresh for this race and I believe that this will pay dividends against the likes of Hinterland and Trifolium who both had tough races at the festival. Baldar Succes will enjoy the ground conditions and if jumping accurately like he did on his last run at Kempton then I'm certain of a huge run here.
Crabbies Grand National 4m 3f 110y (Grade 3)
Many trends for this race can be looked at an scrutinised here I will outline what the main ones are and relate this to my three selections. Proven stamina - since the early 1990's the winner of the grand national had precious won a race of a 3m plus trip and even though it's half a furlong shorter the national needs a strong stayer. It maybe obvious but some in this field do not fit this criterion. Grand National meeting form - a more recent trend but a very interesting one. Horses don't necessary need experience of jumping over the national spruce type fences but a solid run undoubtedly needs to be taken into consideration so an Aintree run on the mildmay Chase course or over hurdles is a positive. Previous winners Neptune Collognes, Don't push it and last years winner Auroras Encore all had wins/places at the track before going on to win this prestigious prize. Proven Ability - I recently read that the handicap marks for classier horses who are higher in the weights sometimes find themselves being well handicapped even when carrying more weight. I for one have always been influenced by quality over quantity and this is where I believe the mark given to a horse who has been running in the upper echelon of the chasing game may have an edge. Additionally, four out of the last five winners of this race have shouldered 11st or more, tipping the balance in favour of classier individuals. Burton Port - Many people find the trends game and integral part in selecting the winner for this race and that may indeed be important and this horse fits quite a few trends proven stamina, class and the weight he's been allocated really do give this classy individual a chance. Recently, he bounced back to form and gave a thoroughly brave front running performance at Newbury last time out. I like him and I like the trainer even more for this race Jonjo O Neil knows the time of day with this race in particular. Pineau De Re - This selection is more than intriguing and it's hard to get a handle as to whether he's good enough for this. However, a featherweight, a horse in tremendous form and a thorough stayer points to enough boxes being ticked for me. His run in the Pertemps at Cheltenham was simply fantastic, hitting the last fence didn't help his chances but he stayed on strong up the run in and I've had him on my radar since then. The trainer Dr Newland has had a relatively successful season and I'm certain he'll be primed and ready for this.
Une Ace gets the vote here. Losing faith in our equine friends is something I very rarely do and Une Ace with the beauty of hindsight probably should of targeted this race alone without the need to go to Cheltenham. However, I don't blame the owners as this Voix de Nord gelding is a class act and is undoubtedly overpriced here. Trained by Kim Bailey who undoubtedly has had one of his best seasons to date and it's well deserved as his daily blog entries and his willingness to inform the racing fraternity regarding runners is sensational. Une Ace has been held in high regard by this stable and his recent win at Doncaster illustrated the turn of foot he possesses. He will love this better ground and if a thoroughly strong gallop is assured then this track will suit him down to the ground. For me he's a very likeable, progressive and scopey individual who will be ready to deliver a late rattle up the straight. One to put in the notebook for next season.
2.05pm Novices Chase 2m (Grade 1)
I've had my selection here in my notebook for the past 2 years and I won't be deserting him today. Alan King the trainer sidestepped Cheltenham for a need to keep Baldar Sucess fresh for this race and I believe that this will pay dividends against the likes of Hinterland and Trifolium who both had tough races at the festival. Baldar Succes will enjoy the ground conditions and if jumping accurately like he did on his last run at Kempton then I'm certain of a huge run here.
Crabbies Grand National 4m 3f 110y (Grade 3)
Many trends for this race can be looked at an scrutinised here I will outline what the main ones are and relate this to my three selections. Proven stamina - since the early 1990's the winner of the grand national had precious won a race of a 3m plus trip and even though it's half a furlong shorter the national needs a strong stayer. It maybe obvious but some in this field do not fit this criterion. Grand National meeting form - a more recent trend but a very interesting one. Horses don't necessary need experience of jumping over the national spruce type fences but a solid run undoubtedly needs to be taken into consideration so an Aintree run on the mildmay Chase course or over hurdles is a positive. Previous winners Neptune Collognes, Don't push it and last years winner Auroras Encore all had wins/places at the track before going on to win this prestigious prize. Proven Ability - I recently read that the handicap marks for classier horses who are higher in the weights sometimes find themselves being well handicapped even when carrying more weight. I for one have always been influenced by quality over quantity and this is where I believe the mark given to a horse who has been running in the upper echelon of the chasing game may have an edge. Additionally, four out of the last five winners of this race have shouldered 11st or more, tipping the balance in favour of classier individuals. Burton Port - Many people find the trends game and integral part in selecting the winner for this race and that may indeed be important and this horse fits quite a few trends proven stamina, class and the weight he's been allocated really do give this classy individual a chance. Recently, he bounced back to form and gave a thoroughly brave front running performance at Newbury last time out. I like him and I like the trainer even more for this race Jonjo O Neil knows the time of day with this race in particular. Pineau De Re - This selection is more than intriguing and it's hard to get a handle as to whether he's good enough for this. However, a featherweight, a horse in tremendous form and a thorough stayer points to enough boxes being ticked for me. His run in the Pertemps at Cheltenham was simply fantastic, hitting the last fence didn't help his chances but he stayed on strong up the run in and I've had him on my radar since then. The trainer Dr Newland has had a relatively successful season and I'm certain he'll be primed and ready for this.
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