Mayhem to run amok for Honour
CAUSE some Mayhem in the Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase.
MAYHEM MYA (4.40) has a cracking record on soft ground and she’ll certainly get her favoured surface on the opening day of Aintree’s Grand National meeting.
She’s been ignored in the betting as she is carrying 6lbs more than she’s entitled to but handling the testing conditions will be much more important.
Chris Honour’s mare has only had five starts over fences and she is well treated on her comeback second behind Arclight at Exeter in November.
After returning to the Devon track to notch up her first chase win just before Christmas, she found talented Goshen on a going day at the same course last month.
A sound pace on soft ground over 2m is just what she wants. That’s what she should get.
Have 1pt each-way at 33-1. Sky Bet is paying out on five places.
Bob Olinger will be a hot favourite in the William Hill Aintree Hurdle but I’m still not convinced he’s back to his best. His presence takes out a large chunk of the market so I’m more interested in
LION (right, 3.30) at a much bigger price.
He loves testing ground and he was still bang there heading to the final flight in the Champion Hurdle. Putting it up to State Man finally told on the climb to the line but the step up to 2m4f for the first time could be ideal.
After all, he was runner-up in a Group 2 over 2m on the Flat when trained in France by Andre Fabre. Have 1pt each-way at
14-1.
REBEL DAWN RISING
(4.05) looks way overpriced in the Randox Foxhunters’ Chase over the National fences.
There was a lot to like about the way my fancy won at Fakenham last month and that course provides a proper test of jumping.
He finished runner-up behind Cheltenham Festival winner Premier Magic last spring and the soft ground will bring his stamina into play over this 2m5f distance.
Have 1pt each-way at 20-1. Most bookies are paying out on five places.