Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Castle ready to storm his Bowl rivals
BACK the Castle to be king in the Betway Bowl.
CLONDAW CASTLE (2.50) has always had plenty of class but he took his form to a whole new level when stepped up to 3m for the first time in the Close Brothers Chase at Kempton in February.
Having settled in midfield in a race run at a furious pace, he picked up strongly and was well on top on the run-in.
Trainer Tom George (right) landed that prize twice with Nacarat. His two wins in the race sandwiched a victory in this Aintree Grade 1 and Clondaw Castle should have this set up for him by likely front-runner Native River.
The decent ground will suit him and George has his team in top form.
With nine runners set to line up and several of his rivals going into the race with stamina doubts, Clondaw Castle looks a great each-way bet.
Have 2pts each-way at
7-1 with Sky Bet paying out on four places.
GREY DIAMOND
(4.40) looked to enjoy racing on some decent ground when defeating Dostal Phil at Sandown.
He’s got conditions in his favour again for the Red Rum Chase and he is still relatively unexposed.
The left-handed track is the only slight concern to this progressive novice.
His trainer Sam Thomas is enjoying a superb run of form and the 12-1 on offer for Grey Diamond looks a tasty bet.
Sky Bet are paying out on six places and most of the others going five slots so have 1pt each-way. Irish-trained horses dominated the Cheltenham Festival and they could well kick off the Grand National meeting in similar form.
THE SHUNTER (1.45) steps up in class having been an impressive winner of the Paddy Power Plate at Cheltenham.
He cruised through the race like a quality chaser and sprinted clear in the closing stages. The SSS Super Alloys Manifesto Novices’ Chase doesn’t look a deep contest and Emmet Mullins’ runner is still improving.
There’s a case for saying he should be favourite so the 4-1 on offer is worth taking.
Have 2pts to win.