Thursday 3rd April 2025
1.45 Aintree: EBC Group Manifesto Novices’ Chase: We get things underway at the Grand National Meeting with the 1.45 on Thursday which is the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices’ Chase that’s contested over two miles and four furlongs. I’m siding with Impaire Et Passe here for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins. He was the best hurdler out of these and comes into the race fresh having missed the Cheltenham Festival. He’s already a Grade 1 winner over fences having won the Faugheen Novice Chase back in December and also has form at the track having won the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle here at last year’s meeting. The dryer ground should also suit and I think we could see a big performance. Impaire Et Passe – 3/1 (Win)
2.20 Aintree: Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle: It’s more Grade 1 action at 2.20 with the Four-Year-Old Juvenile Hurdle taking centre-stage over two miles and a furlong. I’m with Naturally Nimble in this particular contest for Joseph O’Brien and J J Slevin. He’s another one that comes into the meeting fresh having missed Cheltenham and looks a nice prospect. He won a Grade 3 earlier in the season when getting the better of Willy De Houelle and was fourth within Grade 2 company on Boxing Day behind Hello Neighbour when last seen. He’s also another contender who should appreciate the ground having been a good ground winner on the flat and I think he’s a big player in this. Naturally Nimble – 6/1 (Each-Way)
2.55 Aintree: Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph Bowl Chase: The third race of the day is the 2.55 and this is the Grade 1 Bowl that’s contested over three miles and a furlong. I like the James Mangan trained Spillane’s Tower here who’s currently trading at a best price of 7/2 under Mark Walsh. He’s not been since since Boxing Day where he was sent off favourite for the King George, but failed to fire on that day and eventually finished fifth behind Banbridge. However, his form prior to that run is incredibly strong. He was half of a length second to the wide-margin Ryanair winner Fact To File in the Grade 1 John Durkan at Punchestown in November and won back-to-back Grade 1 novice chases at the end of last season. If the ground doesn’t dry up too much he should be having a serious say here. Spillane’s Tower – 7/2 (Win)
4.40 Aintree: Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase: I move onto the penultimate race of the day for my final selections of the afternoon and this is the 4.40 which is the Red Rum Handicap Chase, a Premier Handicap over two miles. I’ve tried my hand with two selections in the race, the first of which is My Mate Mozzie for Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue. He’s becoming a bit of a cliffhorse for me, however, I still believe he’s got one of these big handicaps in him. He often travels well without seeing a race out, and once again ran well at Cheltenham when finishing fourth in the Grand Annual. He’s one of the top-rated horses in the race here and if Donoghue times it right I think he’s got every chance of running another big race off the same mark as his Cheltenham run. My second selection comes in the form of Sans Bruit for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. He won this race last year from the front and has dropped back down to the same mark for this year’s renewal. He’ll come into the race fresh having missed Cheltenham and this has probably been his target. My Mate Mozzie – 11/2 (Each-Way) (4 places – Most Firms) & Sans Bruit – 7/1 (Each-Way) (4 places – Most Firms)
