Sunday 27th October 2024
1.15 Aintree: Jason Salleh Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase: Getting us underway at Aintree on Sunday will be the 1.15 which is a Class 3 novice chase that’s ridden over two miles. I’m taking a chance on one of the outsiders here in Petit Tonnerre for Jonjo O’Neil and Jonjo Jr. He’s not shown a great deal for a while now, whether that be over hurdles or fences, however, he’s dropped down to what looks like a very tempting mark and connections must feel like they can grab a race with him to persist. He ran well on his seasonal reappearance last term in a Grade 2 novice at Cheltenham when finishing second, and this looks like a reasonable level for him. Petit Tonnerre – 17/2 (Each-Way)
1.50 Aintree: Virgin Bet Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase: Next up is the 1.50 which is the feature Grade 2 Old Roan Handicap Chase over two miles and four furlongs. I think that this year’s renewal of the contest can go to Stage Star who represents the team of Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. He won the Turner’s at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival as a novice and added the highly competitive Grade 3 Paddy Power Gold Cup to his CV during the last campaign. He’s a high-class chaser and has gone well fresh in the past, I think he’ll take a lot of beating here. Stage Star – 5/2 (Win) (NB)
2.25 Aintree: Virgin Bet Vieux Lion Rouge Veterans’ Handicap Chase: The third race of the afternoon is the 2.25 which is the Class 2 Veteran’s handicap chase over three miles and a furlong. I like the chances of Torn And Frayed in this for Nigel Twiston-Davies and Finn Lambert who takes off three pounds. It’s been widely stated that the yard are currently in fine form and I think that this ten-year-old comes here with a very live chance. He was last seen finishing fourth of twelve behind In Excelsis Deo in a Grade 2 handicap at Cheltenham back in April and he should be going very close in a race of this nature off his current mark. Torn And Frayed – 7/2 (Win)
3.00 Aintree: Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Maiden Hurdle: My fourth and penultimate selection of the day comes in the 3.00 which is a Class 3 maiden hurdle over two miles and four furlongs. I’m strong on the chances of Sunray Shadow here for Dan & Harry Skelton. He was a bumper winner and went close on his hurdling debut earlier this month at Warwick when finishing a half of a length third of eleven. He should almost certainly build on that promising run here and if that’s the case he’s got to be considered a very big player for his powerhouse connections. Sunray Shadow – 2/1 (Win) (NAP)
3.35 Aintree: Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Handicap Hurdle: Signing me off for the day will be the 3.35 at Aintree which is a Class 2 handicap hurdle over two miles and four furlongs. This can go to Kamsinas for the combination of Fergal O’Brien and Jonathan Burke. He won a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Haydock last November and despite his form being fairly inconsistent since, he’s still a horse that clearly has ability. He goes well fresh and it would be disappointing should he not be playing a meaningful role at the business end of things here. Kamsinas – 11/4 (Win)
