IT once used to be all about horses-for-courses when it came to the Aintree Grand National meeting.
That’s no longer the case — but it doesn’t mean the old analogy won’t come in handy when trying to find a winner on the first day.
GettyAhoy Senor is a bit bonkers but he saves his best jumping for Aintree[/caption]
AHOY SENOR (2.55) takes on seven rivals in the feature Grade 1 Bowl with desperate recent form figures of PPF!
But in six outings at Aintree he has rattled up numbers that read 113223, and his first Grade 1 win came here at 66-1 over hurdles.
The simple truth is this — if Ahoy Senor is going to run a big one this season it’s today.
He fell at Cheltenham in the Gold Cup when going happily at the 15th fence and he was a little unlucky to topple over.
He loves the Liverpool air and, if getting into a rhythm, he has each-way claims for Lucinda Russell and Patrick Wadge.
Opposition includes Grey Dawning, Spillane’s Tower and an up-in-trip Gaelic Warrior.
It’s a decent renewal.
IMPAIRE ET PASSE (1.45) is my strong fancy in the opening Manifesto Chase — the first of SIX races on ITV.
He was the best of these over hurdles and drying ground might well be in his favour with a fine win at Sandown to his name on good going.
The Willie Mullins runner won a Grade 1 hurdle at this track this time last year and, while he never looked happy behind Ballyburn at Leopardstown last time, I liked the way he rallied on the bend for third (Croke Park in second).
The former Grade 1 Ballymore winner might just have a bit too much class for this field.
I will have to leave out Jango Baie who was brilliant for this column and me at Cheltenham. I wish him well.
The second of four Grade 1s is the Anniversary Hurdle and Nimble can land the bread.
I thought NATURALLY NIMBLE (2.20) had every chance at Cheltenham but didn’t run.
He was a Grade 3 winner at Fairyhouse two runs ago and a fair fourth to Hello Neighbour at Leopardstown when staying on well.
Fresh is usually best at this meeting and my fancy looks good at 5-1.
The final top-level race on a fabulous first day is the Aintree Hurdle — and, folks, I stick by my belief CONSTITUTION HILL (3.30) is the BEST hurdler I have ever seen.
He may prefer two miles but he has won this two and a half miler before and has had extensive schooling since a rather embarrassing fall in the Champion Hurdle.
He is rated a 15lb better horse than only threat Lossiemouth and, as good as she is, Con Hill will be too strong.
The Foxhunters — the first race of the week over the National fences — promises to be plenty of fun and FAMOUS CLERMONT (4.05) can make a name for himself again.
He was brilliant when winning this in 2023 and comes into this in winning form from a point to point race at Cothelstone, Somerset.
PETIT TONNERRE (4.40) is not everybody’s favourite but he can take the Red Rum Handicap Chase.
He finally got back to winning ways two runs ago at Doncaster and was still cruising at the same track off a 5lb higher mark when bought down on his last run.
The Grade 2 mares’ bumper closes the show and this is a proper guessing game.
My pin came down on BLUE BETTY (5.15) who travelled and ran on well on the Newcastle all-weather last time and has more improvement in her.
Good luck… and Yeeehaaa!
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