Friday 4th April 2025
1.45 Aintree: Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices’ Chase: We get things underway on Day Two of the Aintree Grand National Festival with the Mildmay Novices’ Chase, a Grade 1 affair over three miles and a furlong. I’m strong on the chances of Handstands here for the team of Ben Pauling and Ben Jones. He comes into the race in great form having won his last three starts, the first two coming within Grade 2 company before defeating the subsequent Arkle winner Jango Baie in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown back in February. He skipped the Cheltenham Festival to come here so he should be spot on for this assignment. He’s an exciting prospect and can post a bold effort here. Handstands – 2/1 (Win)
2.20 Aintree: William Hill Handicap Hurdle: The second race of the afternoon comes up at 2.20 and this is the William Hill Handicap Hurdle, a Premier Handicap which is contested over two miles and four furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Wade Out here who represents Olly Murphy and is ridden by Sean Bowen. He’s won four times from six starts under rules, including three successes within novice hurdles throughout this campaign and this will be his handicap debut. I think he’s got significant potential and connections have always held him in high regard, with this meeting always being the plan this season. He could well prove to be considerably better than his opening mark of 128. Wade Out – 8/1 (Each-Way) (6 places – Bet365, Sky Bet, Betfair, Unibet)
2.55 Aintree: TrustATrader Top Novices’ Hurdle: We move back up in grade at 2.55 with the Grade 1 TrustATrader Top Novices’ Hurdle which is ridden over two miles and half of a furlong. I’ve had two selections in the race as I fancy both of them to go well, the first of which is Tripoli Flyer for Fergal O’Brien and Jonathan Burke. He’s been very impressive since going over hurdles and was last seen when winning the Grade 2 Dovecote Hurdle at Kempton in February by seven and a half lengths, beating the smart Miami Magic in the process. This track should suit him and he’ll be fresh having missed Cheltenham. My second play in the race is an each-way selection and that’s Diva Luna for Ben Pauling and Ben Jones. She won the Grade 2 Mares bumper at this meeting last year and has progressed well this term over hurdles, she won a Class 2 Cheltenham maiden on New Year’s Day and finished third in the Grade 2 Mares Novice race at the Festival. I think she can go well here at a nice price. Tripoli Flyer – 7/2 (Win) & Diva Luna – 11/1 (Each-Way)
4.05 Aintree: Randox Supporting Prostate Cancer UK Topham Handicap Chase: My next selection comes within the 4.05 and this is the Topham Handicap Chase which is another Premier Handicap and this time contested over two miles and five furlongs and on the Grand National course. I’m taking a chance on Excello here for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville. He’s one of, if not, the most unexposed runners in the lineup. I think that could end up being a positive for him though, as most of these have reached their ceiling and he could still have significant improvement yet to come. He’s got some decent form to his name over hurdles, finishing behind the likes of Western Night, Ma Shantou, and Derryhassen Paddy and he ran an encouraging race on chase debut when a length behind Hoe Joly Smoke at Sandown last month. If he gets a clear round he could run a big race at a nice price. Excello – 10/1 (Each-Way) (6 places – Most Firms)
5.15 Aintree: Hallgarten And Novum Wines Handicap Hurdle: Signing us off for Day Two will be the 5.15 and this more handicap action and this time for conditional & amateur jockeys over two miles and half of a furlong. I like Celtic Dino here for Sam Thomas and Dylan Johnston who takes off three pounds. He’s plied his trade within graded company in his last two starts, finishing third to Tripoli Flyer at Kempton in the Grade 2 Dovecote in February before finishing fourth behind Potters Charm in the Grade 1 Formby here on Boxing Day. Prior to those starts, he won an introductory hurdle at Ascot impressively beating Wade Out by four and a quarter lengths and I think he’s a horse with potential. This will be his handicap debut and I think he’s got a fair opening mark, he could prove to be a bit better than this level. Celtic Dino – 13/2 (Each-Way) (5 places – Most Firms)
