SAM TURNER’S BIG TIPS FOR DAY ONE AT AINTREE:
2.50 BETWAY BOWL CHASE
For the great majority of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, MIGHT BITE looked the likely winner and he may gain compensation for his defeat at the hands of Native river here.
A combination of deep ground, a durable rival who never missed a beat at his fences and a stiff climb to the line found out the King George winner who arrived at the bottom of the Prestbury Park hill still travelling strongly.
on the day, the exacting conditions took their toll on Might Bite who couldn’t reel in the winner, but today’s flatter track and the prospect of better ground can see him repeat his win in the Grade one Betway Mildmay Novices’ Chase at this meeting 12 months ago. BEST BET: MIGHT BITE 8-13 FAV
It might be a little too early to write off Definitly red who was 35 lengths behind Might Bite last month — especially as his rider reported he felt flat and was never really travelling.
Definitly red had previously run out a game winner of the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January (Bristol De Mai beaten 10 lengths in third) and had thumped Cloudy Dream over this course and distance by seven lengths before Christmas.
Connections dispatched Bristol De Mai for a wind operation following his reverse at Cheltenham in January and it will be fascinating to see what impact he can make, especially if it continues to rain here in Liverpool. DANGER: DEFINITLY RED 7-1
2.20 DOOM BAR JUVENILE HURDLE
WE HAVE A DREAM and Apple’s Shakira provide the Nicky Henderson stable with a two-pronged attack and narrow preference is for the former who has the benefit of being a fresher horse.
An 11th-hour setback denied We Have A Dream the opportunity to tackle the Triumph Hurdle, which was a shame for connections who felt the French recruit held a huge chance of extending his British winning sequence to five.
His February Musselburgh run has been enhanced since and today’s track should play to his strengths.
Apple’s Shakira allowed herself to get stirred up before the Triumph Hurdle so, in the circumstances, still acquitted herself with credit to take fourth.
If the first-time hood serves to pacify and allows her to reproduce her best then she is likely to find conditions to her liking. recent Ascot winner Malaya should again run well too. BEST BET: WE HAVE A DREAM 2-1
3.25 BETWAY AINTREE HURDLE
A MoDeST tempo in the Stayers’ Hurdle played to the strengths of speed horses like Penhill and Supasundae who displayed too much pace for the gallopers to fight out the finish.
Like at this meeting 12 months ago, Supasundae was forced to settle for the runners-up berth and connections have wisely decided to come back in trip.
The Irish Champion Hurdle winner looks the one to beat again, but his yard is a little quiet at present (one winner from last 24 runners at 50-1 on the level) so he is reluctantly overlooked in favour of CYRIUS DARIUS who may give value seekers a good run.
ruth Jefferson’s nine-year-old has more than a stone to find with Supasundae on official figures, but he won a Grade one at this meeting when a novice in 2015 and won’t mind what the ground is like as he proved when ploughing through the mud to win at Kelso. BEST BET: CYRIUS DARIUS NAP 20-1
4.05 RANDOX HEALTH HUNTERS CHASE
THe booking of Jamie Codd for GRAND
VISION looks an excellent move by the Colin Tizzard operation which enjoyed a wonderful time at this meeting 12 months ago.
Their grey son of old Vic ran with tremendous credit in the Foxhunters’ Chase at the Festival and may well appreciate a return to a flatter track after not quite getting up the hill.
The selection boasted the quality in his formative years to finish third in an Albert Bartlett Hurdle and his jumping should ensure another big display.
Balnaslow (7th) and on The Fringe (9th) were both in the mix at Cheltenham and will be on the scene again.
The former was only beaten two lengths in this event a year ago, while on The Fringe won it in 2016 and 2015.
Balnaslow was ridden patiently at Cheltenham and it would be no surprise if he is more prominent, as he usually is. BEST BET: GRAND VISION 9-2
4.40 RED RUM HANDICAP CHASE
THEINVAL was mugged on the run to the line in this event 12 months ago and may gain a measure of compensation this time.
A winner over hurdles at this meeting in 2015, the eight-year-old caught the eye at Cheltenham in a strongly-run handicap when he was hampered midrace, but still kept on steadily to take fourth place.
Hopefully, that run should have put him spot on for another tilt at this event and he should produce another big performance if his rider can employ a shade more patience and deliver his run at the last minute.
Tommy Silver may still be a novice chaser but he has tried to mix it with some pretty smart rivals this season, most notably stablemate Cyrname, and looks very interesting dropped into a handicap chase for the first time. BEST BET: THEINVAL 9-2