GO FOR PLAN A
Forward-thinking option
FORWARD PLAN (2.30, nb) is a horse on the up and he can strike in the William Hill Handicap Chase at Aintree.
Anthony Honeyball’s eight-year-old was chinned in the Great Yorkshire Chase before going one better in the Coral Trophy at Kempton.
That was a career best and he proved that he can handle cut in the ground as most of his earlier form had come on a good surface.
He has been raised another 4lb for today’s test but the track should suit this strong traveller and he will also be helped if the ground continues to dry out.
Sam Brown is in great heart and won this race two years ago off a 7lb lower rating, and has strong claims despite his big weight. Demnat at 20-1 could outrun his price for Venetia Williams.
There are five ITV races in total culminating in the Grand National and Lucinda Russell has an interesting runner in ESPRIT DU POTIER (1.55) in the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle.
Ahoy Senor and Apple Away have been big price winners of Grade One novice events at this meeting in recent years and Esprit Du Potier has a similar profile coming into the race.
He enjoys making the running and will relish the ground. He is 33-1 but could outrun those odds, especially if he is allowed an easy lead. King George VI Chase hero HEWICK
(3.05) rocks up in the JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle, a Grade One contest.
Shark Hanlon decided to swerve the Grand National in favour of this contest over the smaller obstacles and with conditions drying out a little the £800 bargain basement purchase could continue to rake in the prize money.
He is 12-1 in the betting and most of his rivals are fully exposed over hurdles.
Hiddenvalley Lake is the exception and fits the “could be anything” cliche.
The William Hill Handicap Hurdle that kicks off the ITV coverage is a belter of a betting race.
GWENNIE MAY BOY (1.20) is in rude health with back-to-back victories and Harry Skelton may have picked the wrong horse to partner in this race.
He has chosen West Balboa but Gwennie May Boy is progressive and his winning run can continue with Charlie Todd in the plate.