Many jumps fans don’t enjoy the fact that the build-up to Cheltenham
has become ever more fragmented in recent seasons but this is a golden period
for fans of the sport with the three days of the Grand National meeting before
Punchestown to end the season in fantastic style.
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| Credit to TurfPix.com for this Phtotoshop of Toubab |
As far as punting is concerned, Aintree is usually about delicately
revaluating the best form of the season for the speed favoring track and long
straight which differs so markedly from Cheltenham’s never ending undulations and
brutal finishing climb – and also making the choice between trusting festival
form and going for those who missed the Festival. This excellent article gives
a statistical viewpoint as to which races to trust – but it’s very much best taken
on a race by race basis – it’s also worth noting that the ground on the Friday
was by far the most testing of the entire festival and that, combined with the
much shorter time between then and now, could make a big difference.
In the first of today’s two non-Graded races under the
spotlight, Warne makes most appeal to become the first Irish trained winner of
the Foxhunters (3.40) for some time. A useful novice hurdler back in the day,
he’s been on and off as a hunter chaser but has massive talent when choosing to
show it and his 5 and half-length defeat
of Tammy’s Hill (himself on a par with Salisfy) has to be the best form in the
field or at least close to it. If taking to the fences – connections have schooled
him over plenty of Aintree minute type fences – he must go close at an appealing
13/2.
The Cheltenham conundrum is ever present in the Red Rum
Handicap Chase, a strong race for those following up form Cheltenham - Six of
the last 14 winners had previously run in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual at
Cheltenham – so Kid Casssidy, second at the Festival, should make a bold bid to
land a big handicap off top weight, but preference is for Toubab, who may be
the second of the Paul Nicholls string but has always has potential to land a
big price and was yet to be asked for his challenge when falling in last year’s
Grand Annual before coming second in the Maghull Novices Chase here last year. Only
Fota Island has won carrying more than 11st 2lbs since 1999 but Paul Nicholls’s
charge has plenty in his favour and he can go close at the least to denying
that trend today; Silver Roque looks well handicapped and can also play a hand
in the finish.
Advice
2 pts each/way Warne, Foxhunter’s’ Chase (13/2 general)
0.5 pt each/way Toubab, Red Rum Handicap Chase (12/1 general)
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