Thursday 11th April 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (jordan_yates_)
Aintree Grand National Meeting 2024
1.45: Close Brothers Manifesto Novices’ Chase: We kick the meeting off on Thursday with the first of many Grade 1s in the form of the Manifesto Novices’ Chase over two miles and four furlongs. I think that this is all about Grey Dawning for the team of Dan & Harry Skelton. He was impressive at Cheltenham when getting the better of Ginny’s Destiny, and I can’t find concrete evidence to suggest that the form will be reversed here, and I believe he’s just a better horse than the rest of the depleted line-up. He should be having another massive say. Grey Dawning – Evs (Win) (NB)
2.20: Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle: Next up it’s more Grade 1 action with the 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle taking centre-stage over two miles and a furlong. Despite the question marks over the form of the Henderson stable in the last month or so, I find it hard to see past Sir Gino here who’s the mount of Nico de Boinville. He missed Cheltenham due to the issue within the yard and I think there’s been plenty of time for them to recover since. He looked mightily impressive at Cheltenham on Trials Day and if he continues to progress he should prove very tough to beat here. Sir Gino – 5/6 (Win) (NAP)
2.55: William Hill Bowl Chase: The third race of the afternoon is the William Hill Bowl which is a Grade 1 chase over two miles. I’m taking a chance on Shishkin here who’s another representative for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville, as well as another to sport the Donnelly silks. He also missed Cheltenham due to an unsatisfactory scope, however, was last seen when winning well in the Grade 2 Denman Chase on heavy ground at Newbury, and prior to that he looked as though he was going to go very close in the King George. I think there’s life in the old dog yet, and if he’s anywhere near his best he’ll be bang there. Shishkin – 3/1 (Win)
3.30: William Hill Aintree Hurdle: We move on to the feature race of the opening day of the meeting which is the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle that’s ridden over two miles and four furlongs. I’ve sided with Impaire Et Passe here for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins. He’s not been seen to best effect so far this season, after looking like a very exciting prospect last term, however, I think that a step back up in distance here is exactly what he’s looking for. He’s got form to reverse with Bob Olinger from last time out but I don’t believe we’ve seen the best of the Mullins charge yet and I fancy him to bounce back to form here. Impaire Et Passe – 15/8 (Win)
4.05: Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase: The fifth race of the day is the 4.05 which is the Hunters’ Chase that’s contested over two miles and five furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Romeo Magico here for Emmet Mullins who’s the youngest horse in the race with him only being a six-year-old. Whilst a lot of the field here have reached the ceiling of their ability, he could well be still progressing and was impressive at Down Royal last time out when winning by eleven lengths. If he gets a clear round here I think he can put in a serious bid. Romeo Magico – 10/1 (Each-Way)
4.40: Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase: We now move on to the penultimate race of the afternoon which is the 4.40 and the Red Rum Handicap Chase over two miles. I’m siding with Path D’oroux here for the team of Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue. He comes into the contest having posted two fine efforts on his last two outings, he was second in a Listed handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival before finishing third in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham behind Unexpected Party. I think he’s got every chance of reversing that form at the weights here and can provide connections with yet another big run on UK soil. Path D’oroux – 13/2 (Each-Way)
5.15: Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race: Signing us off on Thursday will be the Grade 2 Mare’s National Hunt Flat Race over two miles and a furlong. I’m taking a chance on Diva Luna here for the combination of Ben Pauling and Kielan Woods. She kept on well last time out when taking a Listed contest at Market Rasen and looks like another potentially nice recruit for connections. This requires another sizeable step up in form, but she looks progressive and I think she could be up to the task. Diva Luna – 15/2 (Each-Way)
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