Aintree 2014 - Day 1 Handicaps and Foxhunters'

If Mossey Joe takes to these fences and puts in a clear round he should be well upto winning the Foxhunters Chase (3.45) but the 7/4 on him doing so is short for a race of this nature. Warne is a solid alternative, having shown improved form that ties in nice and closely with Cheltenham Foxhunters’ winner Tammy’s Hill, along with a strong win at Fairyhouse from Seabass last time, and at bigger prices Richard’s Sundance, Supreme Doc, and Pentiffic all make appeal to run a solid race as each/way alternatives for those looking for a price while Tartan Snow probably shouldn’t be at 20/1 despite a poor season.

Mossey Joe in former rules races. He holds a fine chance over the National
fences today but is a very short price 

The Silver Cross Red Rum handicap chase (4.15), so often a rematch of the Grand Annual, is a much weaker renewal with many of the main players from there having decided to give this race a miss. That makes Claret Cloak, who possibly cost himself victory with a blunder 2 out then and was a close third in this year’s Grand Annual, a very strong candidate to make amends here with the ground just about quick enough for a type that is known to need a sound surface underfoot, and it is another novice in Arnaud that is second favourite in a race that is dominated by young chasers, but the 9 year old Anay Turge may be the value at 18’s. Unplaced in the Country Hurdle when last seen after winning two novice hurdles, he had some of the best handicapping form going earlier in the season including when 2^nd over C&D at the beginning of the year and then winning a competitive race at Cheltenham in style. If forgiving his two subsequent failures, he now has the 7lbs claim of Tom Bellamy to help and 18/1 is a tempting each/way poke for a horse with more than enough ability to take a hand if back to his best. Oiseau De Nuit, winner last year and with form figures of 3261 in the four renewals he’s run it, is respected, and so is Turn Over Sivola although Claret Cloak is sure to take some catching.

Last but not least, in an uber competitive Dominican Republic Handicap Hurdle (5.25), On the Bridge could be potential value. Another one who will be glad that the rain has stayed away, he made extremely smart late progress when fourth at Cheltenham in October and then again when sixth in the Pertemps final, having been stopped for a run at a crucial stage in the race. With Matt Griffths’s now taking 3lbs off him a similar run can give him strong each/way claims in a race where any number can be given a chance.

Advice

1 pt each/way Supreme Doc, Foxhunters’ Chase (3.40 Aintree, 12/1 general)

1 pt win Claret Cloak, Red Rum Handicap Chase, (4.15 Aintree, 7/2 general)

1 pt each/way Anay Turge, Red Rum Handicap Chase, (4.15 Aintree 18/1 general)

1 pt each/way On The Bridge, Domincan Republic Handicap Hurdle (5.25 Aintree, 14/1 general)