Leaderboard

225 Ayr champion hurdle Favour and fortune. 9.0 11/2 First street. 8.9 12.0 Betfair These two are a bit clear clear of rest ...I'll try 5pt wins both 😁

255 Newmarket Bopedro. 8.8 10/1 Dutch decoy. 8.8 16/1 Hafeet Alain. 8.5 14/1 Tricky race this one ....I'm not a huge fan of backing older horses and all these are of the older generation but computer is saying to back these even though they haven't got brill form .....gonna be an interesting one ....5pt Ew top 2 .....forecasts all 3

445 Newmarket Bolsena... has shown enough to suggest he could take a weakish looking race like this ....interesting that Ryan Moore takes the ride ....I'll try 5pts Ew 5/1 b365 (generally 7/2)

230 ain't Cruz control. 8.9 8/1 Sam brown. 8.7 18/1 Crebilly. 8.3 Erne river. 8.1 5pt Ew top 2

Aintree 1.45 Day two of a rain sodden Aintree Grand National meeting kicks off with the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase run over 3M 1F. Gavin Cromwell’s Inotherwayurthinkin is one of six runners declared and he made an absolute mockery of his handicap mark at the Cheltenham Festival 29 days ago when ridden with upmost confidence by Derek O’Connor in sauntering to a eight length victory in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase and although this is a step up in grade is the highest rated in the field by 4lb. He can take this with both trip and ground conditions to suit from anther Cheltenham Festival winner in the Kim Bailey trained Chianti Classico who took the Ultima Handicap in good style. Both Iroko and Heart Wood have stamina to prove whilst the first time cheek pieced Broadway Boy also has claims. INOTHEWAYUTHINKIN 1 point win @ 11-4 William Hill Aintree 2.20 A maximum sized field of twenty two face the starter for this William Hill sponsored Premier Handicap Hurdle run over a trip of 2M 4F. It has a wide open look about with Dan Skelton throwing five into the race so with stable jockey Harry Skelton apparently choosing Kateira, she should be on anyone’s short list. One who catches my eye is the bottom weight Making Headway, trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero. A lightly raced 3M Irish point to point winner he should relish stepping up to 2M 4F for the first time and with his two victories at Carlisle and Newbury both coming in heavy ground today’s boggy terrain will be of no concern to his connections. His fourth to Go Dante at Sandown in a similar handicap last time was decent form especially as he was staying on up the run in looking to all that a step up in trip will suit. He sports first time cheek pieces as well and looks a good each way bet. MAKING HEADWAY 1 point each way @ 8/1 bet365 1/5th 123456 Aintree 2.55 A field of eight line up for this Grade 1 Trustatrader Top Novices’ Hurdle run over 2M 103 yards. A strong fancy is the Willie Mullins trained, J P McManus owned Mystical Power who had both Firefox and stable mate Mistergif 3 1/2L and 6L respectively behind in the Supreme Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham and there seems no real reason why either should turn the tables on the pick. I worry about the very testing ground for Fergal O’Brien’s smart mare Dysart Enos, who missed Cheltenham through injury and a bigger danger may well be Jeremy Scott’s mare Golden Ace who took the mares novice hurdle at Cheltenham four weeks ago. This looks one for Mullins and J P McManus though with Mystical Power. MYSTICAL POWER 2 points win @ 2/1 William Hill Aintree 3.30 A small but select field of seven go to post for the 2M 4F My Pension Expert Melling Chase. The highest rated is the Nicky Henderson trained Jonbon who will be the pick but only if there are signs on day one that all is well with his stable following his nightmare Cheltenham. Henderson has run nothing of real note since and with Jonbon missing Cheltenham will hopefully come here a fresh horse. He’s stepping up to 2M 4F for the first time but was a 15L Irish point to point winner over 3M so I don’t really see that as being an excuse. He will also have to jump better than he did when last seen at Cheltenham but he is a class performer who’s won 12 of his 15 starts having been runner up in his three defeats. Ryanair one - two Protektorat and Envoi Allen will have their supporters along with last years winner Pic D’Orhy but a fit and healthy Jonbon can score and put a smile back on the master of Seven Barrows. JONBON 1 point win @ 5/2 bet365 Aintree 4.05 The day’s race over the Grand National fences is the 2M 5F Topham Handicap Chase in which we have a strong field of twenty five lining up. Last year’s winner Bill Baxter, from the in form (a double on Tuesday) stable of Warren Greatrex can run well although he’s shown very little this season, including last time when well backed on his favoured ground and is scant value at around the 9-2 mark. Harry Redknapp’s Shakem Up’arry won the Plate at Cheltenham and even with a 6lb rise can also be competitive for Ben Pauling and Ben Jones. Buckinghamshire trainer Stuart Edmunds has had his string in excellent form for a while now and his runner here Arizona Cardinal is an interesting runner. An easy winner at Leicester and Ludlow on soft ground this year (rising 14lb) this race was mooted after the victory at the latter track by his owners and he could be some each way value in a wide open contest. ARIZONA CARDINAL 1 point each way @ 12-1 William Hill 1/5th 123456 Aintree 4.40 Nine staying novice hurdlers face the judge for this Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle. The best form is brought to the table by Ben Pauling’s The Jukebox Man who ran a stormer in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham when runner up, having been run down on the run in, by the 33/1 outsider Stellar Story. He had the Willie Mullins pair Dancing City 7L behind in third and the favourite Reading Tommy Wrong (pulled up) behind that day and can confirm that form under Kielan Woods. The interesting runner, especially if Nicky Henderson’s runners have run well coming into the race, is the Mrs J Donnelly owned Shanagh Bob who we haven’t seen since he won a Grade 2 at Cheltenham over today’s distance back in December. He missed, like all of Henderson’s stars, the Cheltenham Festival and will come here a fresh unbeaten stayer who’s won twice on soft ground. He’s worth a saver. THE JUKEBOX MAN 1 point win @ 7/2 Betfred SHANAGH BOB 1 point win @ 9/2 Betfred Aintree 5.15 Day two of the Grand National concludes with a nineteen runner 2M 103 yard conditional jockeys’ and amateur riders’ handicap hurdle. Plenty can be given a chance including Olly Murphy’s Go Dante who will love the heavy ground although he will have to overcome a career high handicap mark of 134. The horse which attracts me is the Ben Pauling trained Densworth who appeared to show much improved form for a wind operation when running away with a handicap hurdle on heavy ground at Doncaster on his re-appearance. It was a race where only four hurdles were actually jumped but you couldn’t be anything but impressed by his 16L victory especially as the horse back in second, his stable mate Getaway Drumlee, ran out a easy 17L winner himself later in the month at Fontwell. Densworth ran in this race last year as a 20-1 chance when pulling up, coming back with a dirty trachea wash according to his handler in a recent Aintree preview. A 10lb rise may not be enough to stop him from running well each way in a highly competitive handicap especially as his jockey Beau Morgan takes off 5lb thus halving the additional weight. Charlie Byrnes is a trainer to be feared and his runner here Maidenstreetprince was alongside, although not going as well, as Sir Gerhard when falling two out at Cork 12 days ago and when you consider that one is rated 155 it is possible that he could be very well treated off of just 128 today. He is worth saving on. DENSWORTH 1 point each way @ 10-1 bet365 1/5th 12345 MAIDENSTREETPRINCE 1/2 point each way @ 6-1 William HIll 1/5th 12345

Wow ....photo between hafeet Alain and Dutch decoy ...gutted I didn't get the winner but forecast and Ew ....I'm actually shocked how the computer found that .....forecast has paid 182.88 ....plus around 20 from Dutch that's 202.88 ....making a total of +437.00 on last three weeks ...jeez

Aintree 1.45 Five line up for this Grade 1 Manifesto Novices’ Chase run over 2M 4F with the first and second from the Turners Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham back to renew rivalry. Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning out stayed Paul Nicholls’s Ginny’s Destiny to the tune of 2L at the line and can confirm that form although it may be close between the pair. Willie Mullins saddles his Arkle third Il Etait Temps who is stepping up in trip today. It’s hard to fancy either Blow Your Wad and Colonel Harry who are safely held by Ginny’s Destiny so the selection here is Skelton’s exciting grey Grey Dawning who can confirm Cheltenham form and start the meeting off well for the Skelton camp who are keen to keep ahead of his old boss Paul NIcholls and Willie Mullins in the jumps trainers championship. GREY DAWNING 2 points win @ Evens bet365 Aintree 2.20 Just six have declared for the Grade 1 2M 1F Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle including Nicky Henderson’s highly promising Sir Gino. Obviously we don’t know for certain what sort of form the stable are in as they’ve only had a handful of runners since Cheltenham and none of them where of much interest. If the stable was in top form Sir Gino would be a very strong fancy and he’s still has to be the pick here although it would of been nice to know for sure what form the Seven Barrows team are in. Willie Mullins saddles Kargese who was runner up in the Triumph Hurdle whilst Paul Nicholls runs his exciting unbeaten ex French gelding Kalif Du Berlais. He looks a proper horse having impressed twice at Kempton and may be the one to chase Sir Gino home. SIR GINO 2 points win @ 10/11 Coral Aintree 2.55 The 3m 1F Grade 1 Aintree Bowl Chase has attracted a field of seven. Cheltenham Gold Cup runner up Gerri Colombe is the form horse as he had Bravemansgame (5th) and Gentlemansgame (pulled up) behind that day and looks sure to run well at a track that he won at last season as a novice and may have most to fear from Nicky Henderson’s Shishkin. A good run from Sir Gino in the previous race would obviously be a major boost for him and likewise a poor run would see Shishkin’s odds lengthen. He won this last year from the re-appearing Ahoy Senor, who doesn’t look the same horse this year, and on his best form he’s a big player here. Corbetts Cross impressed at Cheltenham but this will be much tougher and the selection is Gordon Elliott’s Gerri Colombe who brings the best recent form to the table. GERRI COLOMBE 1 point win @ 13/8 William Hill Aintree 3.30 The Grade 1 2M 4F William Hill Aintree Hurdle sees eight runners line up with the top two rated both coming from Ireland. Henry De Bromhead’s Bob Olinger who’s looked back to his best this season, winning Grade 2 contests over 2M 4F at Navan and Cheltenham prior to a creditable 5 1/2L second in the Irish Champion Hurdle to State Man. He looks sure to run well but may struggle to fight off the Willie Mullins trained Impaire Et Passe who like Bob Olinger missed Cheltenham. A smart novice last season winning the Ballymore at Cheltenham and has placed behind Teahupoo and State Man this season. Today’s trip and ground look ideal and he can out stay Bob Olinger. Champion Hurdle third Luccia may have been flattered last time whilst Coral Cup winner Langer Dan has plenty more on his plate here. IMPAIRE ET PASSE 1 point win @ 15/8 bet365 Aintree 4.05 A bumper field of twenty two will line up for the first race of the meeting over the Grand National fences the Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase over 2M 5F. Cheltenham Foxhunters runner up Its On The Line will love the testing ground but didn’t really travel that well at Cheltenham and they may go a bit faster here so I’ll pass over him. Ante post gamble Spyglass Hill looks too short now despite winning one of the bigger hunter chases of the early part of the season at Haydock in the Walrus Hunters Chase. Hannah Roach’s Time Leader ran a blinder at 50-1 at Cheltenham finishing 5 1/2L behind Its On The Line and is also a player with the drop in trip a positive but the value may well be last years runner up Bennys King who’s looked in great form this season including when bolting up at Leicester last time when making all under today’s jockey Sean O’Connor for trainer Dan Skelton on ground that he’ll love. BENNYS KING 1 point each way @ 17/2 William Hill 1/5th 12345 Aintree 4.40 Fifteen face the starter for the 2M Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase and has a very competitive look about it. The Grand Annual winner from Cheltenham, Unexpected Party, trained by Dan Skelton re-appears off of a 8lb higher mark with the third Path D’Oroux, sixth Saint Roi and eighth Triple Trade all taking him on again. One horse who catches my eye towards the bottom of the field is the Paul Nicholls trained Sans Bruit, an ex French performer who has plenty of smart form on heavy ground so should love the conditions. He’s had just the three runs for Nicholls, twice down the field in competitive handicap hurdles and a fine 3/4L second at Chepstow to an improver in Prince Quali. He’s 2lb out of the handicap here but as he actually goes up 3lb for that latest run in future handicaps is a pound well in here and has the assistance of Bryony Frost (presuming that Harry Cobden can’t do the weight of 10-2). In a wide open race the six year old mudlark could be the value play each way with additional places. SANS BRUIT 1 point each way @ 12/1 1/5th 1234 Coral Aintree 5.15 The final race on day one of the Grand National meeting is the 2M 1F Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ National Hunt Flat Race with several promising mares here. Willie Mullins saddles Baby Kate who’s not been seen since November when winning a listed bumper at Cheltenham and has to be on the short list. Dan Skelton will be desperate to secure more prize money at the meeting as he attempts to keep clear of the chasing Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins and saddles Honky Tonk Highway who’s unbeaten in a 3M maiden point to point and a listed bumper at Sandown when making his rules debut which takes some doing. There are many other potentially nice mares in the race but it’s the Skelton’s Honky Tonk Highway the one for me. HONKY TONK HIGHWAY 1 point each way @ 5/1 bet365 1/5th 1234

As in previous years we will be running a tipsters competition for Aintree Thursday 11th to Saturday 13th April. Rules: 1 selection per race throughout the competition Bets settled to £1 level stakes - WIN Only Bets settled at SP Highest accumulative total over the competition wins £100 cash (via PayPal) Runner Up wins £40 and the third place wins £20, all prizes via your PayPal account There will be a £10 prize each day for the highest profit for that day No edits allowed in selection posts Losses incurred for losers. Replacement selections for NRs can be posted but must be before the first race deadline All Bets must be posted prior to the first race each day (no exceptions) Not compulsory to enter every day or every race (so if you miss the first day or two you can still take part) Leader-board posted each evening A minimum of 14 bets is required to qualify for the total prizes Only bets on that day's thread will be included, bets posted elsewhere will not be included All welcome, good luck A separate thread will be created the evening before each day for selections to be posted in.

As im working ...just having a n early look at the weekend racing .....big race of weekend is bet365 gold cup Kinindo kwetu. 9.0 16/1 Amirite. 8.9. 10/1 Sam brown 8.4 33/1 Le Milos. 8.3 8/1 Does he know. 8.0 28/1 A very difficult race to rate tbh as a lot of these have only ran on soft since Xmas and now the ground has changed dramatically it's difficult to know where they will be on the tree ........so I've changed tack slightly... with this race .....I've rated as normal .....then historically it's been very difficult for horses over say 11-5 in this race so that cuts out the bottom 3 .....leaving the top 2 again so that's good enough for me .....I'm not saying the others can't win .....in fact I think Sam brown and does he know look overpriced on select form and I could see them placing at big prices but for me I'm looking for value and the top 2 tick the boxes 5pt Ew top 2

Congratulations to @the finster whose 4 winners on the final day wins him the daily prize and the overall prize Well done to runner up @waggy and third placed @Timusher

WON ! ....... I'll have to put up more selections from my system ! the fact she's beaten a field of well regarded colts, most of which have already won a race, suggests she's pretty useful

We’ll done all prize winners make the most of win mr faint 😂 got new system for may 🍺 on you Saturday 😂💰👍

Newb 315 Lattam 8.9 10/1 Navagio. 8.9 10/1 Real gain. 8.9 14/1 3 wAy tie ....prices are bet365 are great currently compared to others ...so posted early ......and forecasts all 3

Many Thanks for your hard work running these comps @MCLARKE it's very much appreciated by us all.

Forza Orta 7 05 Ths/ 1/40th of a pt ew 20/1 Expressionless 5 00 Neb/ 1/40th of a pt ew 16/1 We'llhavewan 3 35 Ayr/ 1/40th of a pt ew 44/1 Iron Bridge 3 35 Ayr/ 1/40th of a pt ew 33/1 Racingbreak Ryder 3 15 Gw/ 1/40th of a pt ew 36/1 First Street 2 25 Ayr/ 1/40 th of a pt ew 14/1 Fast Tara 2 45 Cur/ 1/40th of a pt ew 22/1 P/L + 177.35pts

120 ain't Cuthbert dibble. 9.0 7/1 Bold endeavour. 8.9 25/1 Chantry house. 8.7 18/1 West Balboa 8.3 3pt Ew top 3 6 places

I've covered every horse running at Cheltenham and the leading contenders in the big race at Punchestown. The going is now soft at Cheltenham after they watered and then it rained. All prices are from around 9am this morning 4.35 Caryto Des Brosses 1pt @ 9/4 with most bookies (take up to 7/4) Missed Tee 0.5pts e/w @ 10/1 with Paddy Power, William Hill, Betfair, BetVictor, Coral and Ladbrokes (take up to 6/1) 5.10 Iskandar Pecos 3pts @ 9/4 with most bookies (take up to 5/4) 5.45 What A Glance 1pt e/w @ 14/1 with most bookies (Paddy Power and Betfair are 16/1 and take up to 8/1) Yippee Ki Yay 0.5pts @ 3/1 with most bookies (10/3 with 365 and Hills and take up to 5/2) Haven't Time 0.5pts @ 7/1 with Paddy Power, Betfair, BetVictor, Betfred, Coral and Ladbrokes (365 are 8/1 and take up to 5/1) 6.20 Deise Aba 2pts @ 11/2 with most bookies (6/1 with Hills and take up to 7/2) Fairly Famous 1.5pts @ 5/1 with Paddy Power, William Hill, Betfair, BetVictor, Coral and Ladbrokes (take up to 7/2) Quintin's Man 0.5pts @ 13/2 with most bookies (7s with 365 and Hills and take up to 5/1) 6.55 No bet 7.30 Master Templar 1pt @ 6/1 with most bookies (13/2 with William Hill and take up to 4/1) Gaboriot 1.5pts @ 100/30 with William Hill (7/2 with BetVictor and Betfred and take up to 5/2) D'Jango 0.5pts e/w @ 9/1 with Bet365 to 4 places (take up to 6/1) 8.05 Rebel Dawn Rising 3pts @ 7/4 with Skybet and BetVictor (15/8 with Hills and take up to 5/4) Punchestown Its On The Line 2.5pts @ 7/4 with Bet365 (take up to 5/4) Ferns Lock 0.5pts @ 9/1 with Bet365 and William Hill (take up to 6/1 4.35 Caryto Des Brosses - Probably not quite as good as he once was which is no surprise given he is now 12. Was a solid 2nd in this race last year to Fier Jaguen and on these terms he could reverse that form. Ran against him on his seasonal debut at Garthorpe when he was 11L behind him this time, but he always needs his first run of the season. Was 2nd again over 2m4f at Kimble to Lift Me Up who had also beaten him at Newbury last season. That was another solid performance and he was back to winning ways at Garthorpe 2 weeks ago. Nearly always runs his race and should go close. Fier Jaguen - You may remember that I was a huge fan of this horse last season and put him up as a strong bet at Aintree, but his right handed jumping got in the way and he unseated Bradley. He then went to this race and I put him up as a max bet and whilst things are never going to be easy because of his right handed jumping he was always holding Caryto Des Brosses to have a fairly comfortable success. He won his first two races this season, but I was not impressed with him at all at Didmarton and I didn't think he was in as good form as he was last year. I was going to oppose him if he went to Aintree, but he was taken out at the 6 day stage and instead he went to High Easter where he was sent off 2/5 to beat Law Of Gold. He made the running as usual and jumped out to his right as usual, but looked the winner for most of the way and it was only in the closing stages that Law Of Gold got the better of him. There is no real disgrace by that though because he is a top class pointer/hunter chaser himself and it was probably his best run of the season. Still not sure he's quite in the same form as last year and obviously he is going to jump out to his right, but he still could win. A Jet Of Our Own - Ridden by the owners son who has only had two rides under rules before both over hurdles. It took the horse a while to get his head in front, but once he won at Maisemore last March and then went onto land a hat-trick. He won those 3 races by 25L, 40L and 50L. He's had a solid season this time around winning 2 of his 6 races including at Chaddesley Corbett a couple of weeks ago. That was a decent effort and saw his point rating go up 6lbs. He has been a beaten favourite twice this season though. He has led, as he did last time, but he has also been held up so hard to know what to expect on that front. The jockey's inexperience is going to be an issue and his form isn't yet at the level of Fier Jaguen or Caryto Des Brosses, but he might be capable of a top 3 finish. Bigforyourboots - Must admit I can't quite understand why he's running in this. He ran in a bumper at Doncaster in January and was always well behind. He then ran in 2 points finishing 6th and then he pulled up on Easter Monday. He is trained by former jockey Luca Morgan and he's been ridden by good jockeys in both point starts and did go off 3/1 fav in the first of them. He hasn't looked to stay 2m4f in the two point runs so 2m out to suit, but I don't see how he can get anywhere near the best horses in this. Fine Investment - Was 2nd to Exeter bumper winner Prophesea at Flete Park a couple of weeks ago who was following up the Exeter win at Flete Park. Fine Investment was in front until the final 50 yards so it was a decent effort. The 3rd at Leicester behind Iskandar Pecos the time before hinted at a little promise as well, but 2m on better ground didn't look to be what he needs. Funky Sensation - I thought he ran a really good race in the final race on this card a year ago when he led and ended up being only beaten 12.5L by Paloma Blue. That was a strong race and he clearly has ability. His 2 hunter chase runs this season weren't bad either although he was a strange gamble at Exeter last time given he's never looked like he stays 3m and again he failed to stay when finishing 4th. 2m round here should be ideal for him although if they want to front run on him he is going to be doing well to be in front of Fier Jaguen, but given the run he put in on this card last year I wouldn't be surprised if he outran his odds. Rewritetherules - Has sometimes run well in hunter chases, but the jockey switch didn't help him at all at Kempton last time and he pulled up in this race last year so hard to see him getting involved. Whatchagotder - Luca Morgan also trains this one and again its hard to give him much of a chance as he is still a maiden after 7 starts here and in Ireland. Missed Tee - Was well backed ahead of her hunter chase debut, but was very keen and didn't see it out in testing ground over 2m5f at Stratford. 10 days later she went to Ludlow and she was really keen again although it probably didn't help her that she was taken on for the lead as it probably made her go even quicker. There was the odd mistake, but nothing as bad as at Stratford or her last start for the Skelton's at Ludlow and I certainly saw more promise here than I did at Stratford. I actually thought she might have dropped out when the 2nd tried to go on leaving the back, but she didn't and it was only after the last where she really weakened. 2m round here on good ground could be exactly what she needs, but the presence of Fier Jaguen might not help her. Verdict - This race was very easy for me last year as I couldn't see Fier Jaguen getting beat, but I just don't think he's in quite the same form as last season. The yard have been much quieter this season compared to last season which might have something to do with it. Yes he has been winning, but he hasn't been as impressive and whereas he got away with some massively right-handed jumping last year I'm not sure he will this time around. Maybe after the race I will regret not sticking with him at odds against, but we shall see. It will be interesting what happens up front as well and the race could set up nicely for Caryto Des Brosses to close from behind and pick up the pieces of the strong pace. Missed Tee looks like dropping back to this trip is what she needs and she gets 15lbs from Fier Jaguen and she is worth backing e/w with 3 places on offer. I'd love to include Funky Sensation somehow because this trip is what he needs as well, but even so he's still going to find it hard to win. Caryto Des Brosses 1pt @ 9/4 with most bookies (take up to 7/4) Missed Tee 0.5pts e/w @ 10/1 with Paddy Power, William Hill, Betfair, BetVictor, Coral and Ladbrokes (take up to 6/1) 5.10 Another Furlough - He has looked very progressive this season as he has won 3 out of his 4 starts. The one time he got beat he was a 4L 3rd to Yippee Ki Yay which does give us a hunter chase reference to work on. The form comment said that he was given too much to do and having watched the race I would agree with that. He is always held up in his races, but his jockey overdid the tactics that day and as it turns out he was trying to catch a decent horse. The other issue is that is a right handed track and he jumps to his left so he was forfeiting a fair bit of ground at each fence. He has jumped left handed at left handed tracks as well although of course it is more helpful at those venues. He clocked a decent time when he won in February and then he beat Duc De Bourbon the following month and was value for more than the 4L margin as he was eased down. He looks promising. Coolagh Park - Was only a length 2nd to Iskandar Pecos at Horseheath on New Years Eve which would give him a chance, but fair to say that one has improved massively since and he's been beaten twice and then won at 4/11 in between. So overall he has a bit too find. Iskandar Pecos - Has improved massively over the season as often happens with horses from this yard and went very close to winning the Walrus at Haydock in February. 10 days later he had a very easy task at Leicester and then should have had a fairly easy task at Ludlow. However it didn't turn out like that as it needed the ride of the season from Huw to get him home and beat Before Midnight on the run-in. He raced very lazily and didn't jump that well either. Before Midnight set quite a decent pace and I think he was just struggling to keep up over that trip. 3m2f round Cheltenham is obviously a new test, but he sets a clear standard on form. Latenightrumble - 2019 the winner was Latenightpass, 2022 the winner was Latenightfumble so will we see the hat-trick of relations win this race? Well he certainly has a chance. He was set to win on his seasonal return when he unseated at the last. He then won easily the following month although he beat Red Opium who was only 4th at Kelso last month so it isn't strong form. He then ran way below par when 4th at 4/5 before winning on Easter Monday at 1/4. Fair to say he hasn't achieved as strong form as a few of these, but it would be daft to write him off. Minella Job - Been stuffed twice by Another Furlough so that along with his 3rd at Exeter a couple of weeks ago suggest he will struggle here. Olly Norse - 2nd to Deise Aba on his return on New Years Eve wasn't a bad effort and then he was 2nd again 11L behind Paper Mill at Garthorpe. That suggests he is going to struggle here. Padjoes Legacy - I wouldn't read anything into the fact that Gina rides him and not their horse as Jack always rides Latenightrumble. Was struggling earlier in the season, but things clicked at Kimble on Easter Saturday when winning in a decent time. He won again a couple of weeks later although it was only a match. I'd be a bit surprised if he was good enough. Paper Mill - Easily beat Olly Norse at Garthorpe on his last start in February and he still looked green after he went clear suggesting there is more to come. His jumping wasn't always foot perfect which would be a small concern here. That was his 2nd win of the season after he won his only other start in January. I certainly wouldn't under estimate his chances, but I just wonder if he's going to be streetwise enough to win this. Wolf Walker - Didn't really show a great deal in 3 Irish starts last year, but he has looked a really promising horse since coming over to Britain to be trained by Chris Barber. Given the 1st win on New Yeas Eve came just over a month after the last Irish start it really has been a swift transformation. He still looked a bit green when winning his maiden by 20L, but he looked very streetwise in his other two wins. He beat Douglas Longbottom by 4L in the first of them and whilst I know that horse disappointed at Chepstow on Friday he is much better than he showed that night. He also beat another horse who ran in the Dunraven Bowl last week in the shape of Red Nika and he hammered him by 18L For a 5yo he is a superb jumper and if he brings the jumping ability he has shown in points to Cheltenham then that is going to be a very useful tool. All 3 runs have been at Larkhill so this is a bit of a different test and he has 2 furlongs further to go, but he looks very promising. Verdict - A smaller field than usual, but still an interesting race. My initial thinking was that Iskandar Pecos would be a short price favourite and there might be some value in taking him on especially with Wolf Walker who has really impressed. The early market moves though has meant that Wolf Walker is shorter than he ought to be and Iskandar Pecos bigger than he ought to be so he has to be the bet. Confidence is high and this has been the long term target for him. The 5/4 mark he was put in was the right sort of price for me so he has to be the bet at the current prices. Wolf Walker could be very good, but he has to prove it under rules and whilst at the initial 4/1 that was factored into the price I can't say it is anymore so happy to leave him alone now. I respect Latenightrumble and Paper Mill can outrun his odds, but Another Furlough was the other one that interested me and he is a danger as well. Iskandar Pecos 3pts @ 9/4 with most bookies (take up to 5/4) 5.45 Cooler Than Me - Won a match last April and did finish 2nd in the Exeter point to point bumper prior to that. This looks a big ask though. Earl Of Desmond - On his 2nd to Its On The Line at Cork in April 22 he would have a massive chance, but on his pulled up effort on stable debut at Exeter behind Yippee Ki Yay he would have no chance. What is interesting was he was being very well backed at big prices prior to being a non runner at Stratford a couple of weeks ago. Henry Oliver has previous in landing a gamble in this sphere so he's one to be wary of. Fil d'Ariane - Ran a couple of cracking races in the Military races at Sandown where he didn't really seem to quite stay. I thought the drop down in trip would suit at Stratford, but whilst he was able to get a fairly easy lead, he couldn't get well clear of the field and he dropped out quite easily in the end. He clearly has ability, but this is even further than the Sandown races and whilst the ground wont be quite as testing I find it hard to see him staying. Haven't Time - Was running a very promising race on hunter chase debut at Ludlow in January 22 until falling at the last. He wasn't seen again for a year and he ran in 3 hurdle races with little promise. He then returned to hunter chases and ran a perfectly respectable race when 5th at Taunton and he followed that up by beating Polish at Southwell a couple of weeks later. He then went to Exeter and he looked to be in with a good chance of at least finishing 2nd until he faded quite badly on the run-in and he ended up 3rd with Yippee Ki Yay getting up for 2nd. I guess the issue is if he is going to stay this trip given how badly he tired at Exeter, but at least the ground will be much better than it was that day. Jetaway Joey - Another horse who the Eillis' have got from Olly Murphy's yard and after being beaten on his first start for them last year he then went onto win his other 2. The form is solid enough as well because he beat Kaproyale in the first of them at Charing. This year he has only had one start and it was a match where he beat another good horse in Clara Sorrento, although the stables horses always come on for their first run so the form might be a little suspect. Stable won this race last year though and he has to be respected. Jeux d'Eau - Has progressed massively as the season has progressed. He started off the year with a couple of 3rds, but then he landed 3 on the bounce. The middle win at Thorpe Lodge on Easter Monday was in a decent time, but what was especially eye-catching was his win last time which came in the Lady Dudley Cup at Chaddesley Corbett which is over 3m2f. It was a good performance as he travelled well throughout the race and kept going when asked for his effort down the home straight. It was a huge personal best and my thinking is it all depends on if he can repeat that performance 2 weeks later on his first start under rules. Looksnowtlikebrian was a 2L 2nd and he was 3rd in the Dunraven Bowl at Chepstow last Friday, but this is a better race than that. Polish - Ran no sort of race on his hunter chase debut at Wincanton, but a month later he ran a much better race when finishing a close 2nd to Haven't Time at Southwell. He helped make the running that day which was a change of tactics and that clearly suited him better than being held up at Wincanton. He's a solid horse, but he does find winning hard and whilst he has a chance I am happy enough to look elsewhere. Terrierman - Pulled up at Stratford in March and has been well beaten in all 3 points this season. What A Glance - Finished 2nd on all 3 starts this season, but the last two have been behind Deise Aba at Lockinge and then at Stratford and I think both of those efforts were very good. At Stratford he looked like he would appreciate stepping back up in trip as he got outpaced that day and he looks to be one of the leading contenders. Yippee Ki Yay - Was a winner back in January in a point which was a good effort and then ran terribly on his next start finishing last of 4 at odds on. To go from that to 9 days later hammering his rivals at Exeter was some feat especially as the 2nd had shown very good form this season. It could be argued he was the only one to run his race, but in some ways he put in an even better effort 6 days later at the same venue. He didn't win, but he made a really bad mistake at the 9th and stumbled badly on landing. It helped that there was a long gap between that and the next fence helped, but he crept back into the race. Whilst he had no chance catching the winner I thought he did very well to even finish 2nd in the circumstances. Another with claims of winning this. Verdict - This is usually a pretty poor race, but this year's renewal looks pretty strong with only a couple that you could completely rule out. The early moves were for Jetaway Joey and Jeux d'Eau, but they look short enough to me now. I think What A Glance is a huge price at double figure odds. Given I think Deise Aba has a big chance in the following race I think he has a really good chance of hitting the frame at least with this longer trip set to suit. I'm also going to cover Yippee Ki Yay as those two Exeter efforts look very good and Haven't Time who hopefully can see it out better on this better ground. What A Glance 1pt e/w @ 14/1 with most bookies (Paddy Power and Betfair are 16/1 and take up to 8/1) Yippee Ki Yay 0.5pts @ 3/1 with most bookies (10/3 with 365 and Hills and take up to 5/2) Haven't Time 0.5pts @ 7/1 with Paddy Power, Betfair, BetVictor, Betfred, Coral and Ladbrokes (365 are 8/1 and take up to 5/1) 6.20 Captain Tommy - Bizarrely struggled in 2 points this season and yet has won 2 hunter chases at Ludlow. Not sure he achieved a great deal in the first when only having to beat Shang Tang, but I thought he achieved more when beating Espior De Guye over 2m4f. His run at Aintree was decent enough as well finishing 9th 38L behind the winner. Connections have been waiting for better ground so will be hoping the rain stays away. Not sure he's going to be quite up to winning this, but should run well. Deise Aba - Has beaten What A Glance in his last two runs at Lockinge and Stratford so if he wins in the previous race that will be a big form boost. I thought he jumped really well at Stratford and he had more in hand than the winning margin suggests. The fact he won round there over just under 3m shows he still has a touch of class because that shouldn't be his ideal circumstances as he was a strong stayer under rules and his last good run was over the cross country course last January when just being beaten. I'd have been tempted to have run him in the 4m contest, but this test should really suit as well and crucially he wont care what the weather does. Premier Magic - Bolted up in this race last year having of course won at The Festival the time before. That race was pretty weak last year though and Rebel Dawn Rising is a non stayer at this trip so I don't think he achieved a great deal. This season I had concerns about how good he still was as his two pointing wins told us nothing and he duly ended up pulling up at The Festival. He ran OK until he weakened after 3 out, but I think it adds to my theory that he isn't as good as he was last season. Clearly though that win last March is the best form in the race so a win wouldn't be a shock, but I'm happy to take him on. Quintin's Man - Won the Intermediate Final on this card last year with ease and that plus his win at Wincanton and 3rd in the Walrus made me think he had an outside squeak at The Festival. That didn't go well though as he ran no sort of race. I was surprised that Darren said the testing ground was to blame as he looked like a horse who needed testing ground to be at his best. I could forgive him that, but a couple of weeks ago he disappointed again at Flete Park when finishing 4th over 4m. The biggest concern though is he flashed his tail when he started to be ridden after 3 out. He did bounce back from a couple of lesser runs at the start of the season to win at Wincanton and that was only 10 days after the latter of those efforts. If he does bounce back then he has a chance. Encounter A Giant - Was a well beaten 5th in this last year and can't see him doing any better in a stronger renewal. Fairly Famous - Won the previous race on this card last year which is usually the weakest race on the card, but he clocked a good time in doing so and connections were talking him up as a Festival contender. The 2nd at Horseheath on his return was a decent enough effort as he ran like he needed it, the big problem though was the Wetherby effort where he looked to hate the testing conditions and barely travelled at all. To be fair given Sine Nomine won even if had been better ground I doubt he would have beaten her. A month later he went back pointing and had a very easy task, but he won with ease. That was on soft ground and he clearly handles soft ground so if it does rain it shouldn't matter as it isn't going to be anything like Wetherby. This should be the race we find out how good he is. Life Me Up - No doubt at least one of his owners will be watching from Miami where this weekend's F1 GP is taking place, but Mrs Horner might be at Cheltenham to watch her horse. He looked very promising last season when he won on hunter chase debut at Newbury, but he then ran poorly in the Intermediate Final when pulling up. This season he was a fair 2nd on his return, but the Kimble effort where he beat Caryto Des Brosses was much more impressive albeit over 2m4f. This is the best race he's been in, but surely that ran here a year ago was too bad to be true and he is a player. Definite Dilemma - Has no chance. Ripper Roo - Another who should be outclassed. Verdict - Really good race this and much more strength than last year. Premier Magic can win, but he is priced up purely on last seasons form and if you were basing it just on this seasons form then I'm not even sure you would make him favourite let alone the short price he is. Lift Me Up was put in at double figure odds which was too big, but even though last year's run was probably too bad to be true it still has to be factored in and he's the right price now. I'm going to have a tiny bet on Quitin's Man as I want him covered just in case he returns to form, but the two for me are Deise Aba and Fairly Famous. Deise Aba will hopefully get a form boost in the race prior and he looks to retain plenty of his old ability based on what he's been doing this season. Fairly Famous was so good last year that I want him onside as well as connections have been waiting for better ground with him and they finally get it. Deise Aba 2pts @ 11/2 with most bookies (6/1 with Hills and take up to 7/2) Fairly Famous 1.5pts @ 5/1 with Paddy Power, William Hill, Betfair, BetVictor, Coral and Ladbrokes (take up to 7/2) Quintin's Man 0.5pts @ 13/2 with most bookies (7s with 365 and Hills and take up to 5/1) 6.55 Regatta De Blanc - A perfect record in points having won 4/4 which includes a dead heat with Grace A Vous Enki in the Coronation Gold Cup at Larkhill in February. That was the run after he won the first hunter chase of the season at Taunton in a race which worked out very well with D'Jango and Bennys King 2nd and 3rd. I thought she would be good enough to win at Newbury, but Secret Investor was back to form and finishing 2nd to him is no disgrace. Her jumping let her down a bit and the form in behind has not worked out, but it could just be case of two good horses beaten some average ones. There is certainly no Secret Investor in this and she should be very hard to beat. Chenery - Only has a rating of 103 under rules and hasn't looked in good points this season as she did last season where she won 3 on the bounce. Daisy Yeats - Only one win in 15 starts in points and that was partly because she was the only finisher. Dul Ar Aghaidh - Wasn't a strong hunter chase she was 2nd in at Cork on her last start before going to join Bradley, but that form is still better than most of these so is a contender for 2nd. Glancing Glory - N/R Grenadine Save - Has struggled in hunter chases and points this season and likely to be the same here. Harbour Queen - N/R Wheres My Wonder - Another Luca Morgan runner who is still a maiden and has no chance. Verdict - If Regatta De Blanc doesn't win this then it will be the biggest shock of the hunter chase season. She should win this with ease because the rest are a very moderate bunch. 2 of the possible rivals are out now as well so Dul Ar Aghaidh really does look the only possible horse who looks capable of even coming 2nd. 7.30 D'Jango - Had a hell of a season since joining current connections having finished a superb 2nd in the opening hunter chase of the season to Regatta De Blanc and then beating Tea Clipper at Warwick. I think he got bogged down in the mud at Warwick when 4th in the Walrus. The 4th at The Festival was of course much better and was a fantastic effort. The problem is his start a month later at Cotley where he was only 6th of 7 behind Master Templar and Shantou Flyer who reversed Cheltenham and Taunton form. He wouldn't be the first horse to disappoint after running a big race at the Festival and given he stays really well this race has looked the ideal race for him all season so it might be worth forgiving him that poor effort. Gaboriot - Interesting that they chose this race over the other options he had today including Punchestown where I think he would have had a chance. He was running very well when he unseated at Canal Turn in the Aintree Foxhunters where he was one of my bets of course. I thought he looked really good when winning at Catterick back in March and whilst he is unproven over 4m if his bang in form trainers think he will stay then that is good enough to me. He is a leading contender. Law Of Gold - Been one of the best hunter chases in Britain in recent years including winning this race really impressive last year. The year before he jumped terribly and it was amazing that he even got as close to beating Coup De Pinceau as he did. Last year was very different and he travelled superbly well, jumped well and came home to a very easy 16L success. He then went to Stratford and ran terribly in the big race. This season he had his usual slow start when finishing 2nd at Horseheath in January and he then won his next two including beating Fier Jaguen as mentioned earlier where he didn't look like winning until staying past him on the run-in. Nearly always runs his race and every chance he will hold onto his crown. Young Buck - Ex Paul Nicholls and won a hunter chase at Newton Abbot over 3m2f a year ago. Didn't always jump well but won as easily as his form suggested he would. He's struggled a little bit for new connections in points this season. He was well beaten on his return and was then a 12L 3rd to Another Furlough. He won his next start, but was then only 5th in the same race D'Jango was 6th in and Master Templer won. He looks like he's regressed to me. Ange Des Malberaux - Not been seen for over a year and was out of form then so impossible to fancy. Cheltenham De Vaige - Seems to always run well at this meeting and nothing wrong with his 3rd in this race last year. That does mean he has 22L to make up on Law Of Gold though and on his first start since October I can't see him doing that. Coup De Pinceau - Caused a huge shock when winning this at 100/1 in 2022, but he didn't win again until winning a point in March which was his 3rd of 4 starts this season. The win was over 3m4f so again proving his stamina, but last time back over 3m he looked like he was going to win until just before the last and he found nothing for pressure. As a former winner and proven stayer you have to respect him, but if Law Of Gold had jumped as well as he did last year he wouldn't have won so I'm happy enough to oppose. Finding Freedom - Luca must be running the whole stable and like the others looks to have no chance. Master Templar - Has been very prolific in points after moving to this yard a couple of years ago having won 10 of his 15 starts. He's a proven stayer having won over 3m6f last season and 3m4f in January in a good performance on his seasonal return. He was beaten in a match on his next start but by a decent horse and only by a short head right on the line. As highlighted above he had Young Buck and D'Jango behind him when winning last time and to stay on and beat Shantou Flyer highlights what a top effort that was. This race has been the target and he looks to having a leading chance. Mitchouka - Did win on New Years Eve at Horseheath, but has struggled a bit otherwise. That said his best effort was when just failing to win over 3m6f in March so at least the trip wont be an issue. Myth Buster - Was 3rd behind Premier Magic on this card last year when getting outpaced so going for this race seems a better option especially as he won over 4m last year by 30L. The problem for me though is he seems to have lost his way a little bit this season and didn't jump well on his only hunter chase run at Wincanton in February. Perfect Pirate - Another one from the Luca Morgan yard who returned pointing after 1180 days off the track. Unlike his stablemates he has actually shown reasonable form this season and won last time at Paxford. He's still hard to fancy though in a race like this. Pym - No doubt a name many will remember when he was running under rules mainly for Nicky Henderson a few years ago. He gave his jockey a first win when winning on his debut for current connections and actually clocked a faster time than Law Of Gold on the same card. That is probably a bit misleading though as they went a slow pace in that race and Law Of Gold's final circuit time was quicker. He followed up last month when again putting in a nice performance and he had Mitchouka in behind in 4th. Stamina for the trip is an unknown, but if he stays he could well be capable of running a decent race. Dreaming Diamond - Pulled up at Stratford a couple of weeks ago and also impossible to fancy. Verdict - This market was very different last night as Master Templar had been the one for money and had almost been backed into favourite, but he has been a big drifter this morning and is available at just as big a price as he opened up at. I am going to make him a bet now as he has won on softer conditions before. When Law Of Gold had drifted he was going to be the bet, but I think the rain is against him. He did win on soft 2 back, but he usually needs decent spring ground and whilst he could still win I don't think he is value anymore so I can't put him up as a bet. If Gaboriot stays then I think he will go very close to winning and I will cover D'Jango small as well because this has been the race I have had in mind for him all season. Hopefully he can bounce back from his run last time and if he does he will be a big player. Master Templar 1pt @ 6/1 with most bookies (13/2 with William Hill and take up to 4/1) Gaboriot 1.5pts @ 100/30 with William Hill (7/2 with BetVictor and Betfred and take up to 5/2) D'Jango 0.5pts e/w @ 9/1 with Bet365 to 4 places (take up to 6/1) 8.05 Slievegar - Ran well in the Intermediate Final last year when finishing 2nd and just didn't seem to stay. He then went to Kelso and won a weak hunter chase in easy style. This year has not been so good as he has been put in his place in all 3 points he has run in. A return to this track over a shorter trip might help him find the form he showed last year, but going to struggle if it doesn't. Espoir De Guye - Thought there was some promise on his hunter chase debut when he didn't stay behind D'Jango at Warwick and he backed that up by beating Famous Clermont at Wincanton. I thought he won on merit that day, but fair to say he disappointed when 1/2F to win at Ludlow a month later. Captain Tommy beat him that day and all 3 of those pieces of form could be boosted prior to this race. He wasn't great at Aintree though and I just wonder if this stiffer track might catch him out even at this trip. Go On Chez - Non-Runner Rebel Dawn Rising - Better than just 2 hunter chase wins suggest and to be fair he would have won a 3rd at Fakenham last Easter if he hadn't thrown Dale Peters over the last. He had issues at the last at Fakenham again on Gold Cup day, but at least he got over it this time and quickened up to win. I thought he ran a really good race on this card last year until his stamina gave out and if he can repeat that effort I think he's capable of going close. Key could be how he has come out of the run at Aintree where he was up there for a fair way before finishing last of the 10 to get round. He won't mind if they get a bit of rain. Cat Tiger - Looks to have gone backwards based on his 3 runs this year. He ran out on his owner at Hereford and then was a well beaten 3rd to Bennys King at Leicester. At Aintree he unseated at the 7th which is obviously too early to know how he would have got on. If he did find his best form then he's got every chance of going close, but the evidence to me suggests he won't be good enough. Cooldine Bog - He certainly won't be good enough. Dalahast - Has got a plenty to find with Espoir De Guye on his Ludlow 4th and he's never looked like winning a hunter chase yet. Game Of War - Pulled up behind Espoir De Guye at Wincanton and even the jockey change to Darren Andrews shouldn't bring about enough improvement for him to get competitive in this. Imperial Esprit - 15L 4th to Yccs Portocervo at Kempton last week and would have to improve on that to do any better here. Mix Of Clover - Failed to complete in his first 3 points where he unseated twice and ran out the 3rd time. Did manage to finish at Kimble last time, but he was 36L behind Lift Me Up and that along with hos old rules form suggest he will struggle here. Royal Act - Rated just 69 and was well beaten in a point a couple of weeks ago. Solomon Grey - Won a hot renewal of this race in 2022 and was also a very good 3rd in it last year. That win in 2022 was the last time he got his head in front, but he's run some very creditable races since then. He's just had the 2 runs this season and although he was 4/7 at Larkhill on his return he always needs his first run of the season so the 3rd there wasn't a terrible effort. He was well backed ahead of the Stratford run la couple of weeks ago and was 3rd again not beaten that far by Deise Aba. With the first 2 home running earlier on in the card he could get a form boost ahead of this. I would also imagine he will improve for the run again which is what happened in this race last year when he ran a few days before this contest. Tekap - Showed a bit of ability in points the last couple of seasons and was in the lead for a long way in the Intermediate Final last year before not staying and pulling up. This year he has pulled up in all 3 starts including at Wincanton behind Espoir De Guye on his last start. The Composeur - Time wasn't anything special, but he was a visually impressive winner on his seasonal return at Cocklebarrow in January. Was backed into 2/1 at Garthorpe the following month, but dropped away to finish a well beaten 5th. A BHA mark of 99 sums up how much he has to find with the leading contenders. Verdict - This race often ends up being the most competitive race on the card, but not this year as very few have realistic claims of winning. As soon as I saw the going I knew Go On Chez was going to come out and so he has. I was going to take him on anyway with Rebel Dawn Rising. This is the race on the card for him as he didn't stay over 3m2f last year and as long as he is over the Aintree effort which was good for a long way, then he is the one to beat. I was going to add Solomon Grey, but he needs good ground and I fear the rain has done for him. He should come on for the run at Stratford though and the form might well have been boosted earlier in the evening, but for the moment I will leave him alone after the rain. Rebel Dawn Rising 3pts @ 7/4 with Skybet and BetVictor (15/8 with Hills and take up to 5/4) 5.25 Punchestown I think Its On The Line will win again this year. He's clearly the best hunter chaser in Ireland and obviously he wasn't beaten far by Sine Nomine at Cheltenham. Over this longer trip he should be able to sit closer to the pace than he could at Aintree and whilst he no doubt will race lazily he just keeps finding for Derek's urgings. He's so tough that I'm not too worried about him doing all 3 Festivals and he does remind me a lot of On The Fringe. There has been money for Lifetime Ambition and he had a rating of 158 in last year's Grand National. He's not up to that sort of level now, but clearly can still run to a decent mark and he bolted up over 2m4f at Cork on Easter Monday in what was a fairly weak race. He is a danger, but needs Its On The Line to run below par for me. I can't have Famous Clermont on what he has done this season although James King being able to claim 3lbs in Ireland is a little plus for him although given he is a hard ride maybe the fact Will, who knows him so well, isn't ideal. He missed Aintree because of the ground so does come here fresh, but he needs to get back to last year's form to have any sort of chance. Ferns Lock is interesting because I do think he will stay 3m round here so I don't think the trip is the problem it was at Cheltenham. He went nuts there though. He looked on edge coming down the walkway to the track and then as soon as the hood came off he lost the plot and any chance of him winning disappeared. Running him at Fairyhouse was crazy although to be fair I was shocked he was beaten by Boss Robin. He's had a month off since and if he can keep a lid on things he does have the ability to win this. I don't know too much about his jockey, but he performed a hell of a recovery in the La Touche Cup yesterday and he looks more than capable. Billaway will no doubt run his usual solid race although he only got to the 4th last year when he unseated. He was 5th at Cheltenham though and it was a sign that he isn't quite at the level he was. Vaucelet has been 2nd in this for the last 2 years and maybe some spring ground will see an improvement, but he looks to have gone based on his form earlier in the season. We also know that he isn't as good as Ferns Lock if that one has is mind on the job, let alone being able to reverse form with Its On The Line. I suspect Boss Robin was flattered by his win over Ferns Lock at Fairyhouse and Samcro is the big price he should be. So all in all Its On The Line rates a fairly strong bet, but I will also cover Ferns Lock because the ability is there and the price is big enough. Its On The Line 2.5pts @ 7/4 with Bet365 and BetVictor (take up to 5/4) Ferns Lock 0.5pts @ 9/1 with Bet365 and William Hill (take up to 6/1

Goodwood 1.30 The first of three races shown today by ITV at Goodwood is the 1M conditions stakes which disappointingly has only attracted three runners. David Menuisier’s Devils Point stands out on form and can give his locally based handler another winner. His best form came at the back end of last season when runner up in the Group 1 Kameko Futurity Stakes to Ancient Wisdom and has already had a run this year at Deauville last month when third. The William Haggas runner Grey Charger won a modest Chelmsford maiden back in November (4th won since) whilst Change For Good has switched yards from David Simcock to Ollie Sangster and has 17lb on official ratings to find with Devil’s Point. Newmarket 2.25 Just five have declared for this 1M 2F listed William Hill Newmarket Stakes. There is nothing between the pair of Whip Cracker and Caviar Heights on 9F form here a fortnight ago when only a short head separated the pair when 2nd and 3rd in the Feilden Stakes and it maybe worth opposing the pair with the favourite here in Endless Victory. Charlie Appleby’s three year colt remains unbeaten following victories at Wolverhampton in February and over course and distance at the Craven meeting a fortnight ago. He’s probably better than that short head win from Salamanca as there was no pace in the contest and it turned into a bit of a sprint. The third that day High Order has bolted up since at odds of 2/9 and this can be another winner for team Godolphin who look set to have a fruitful three days. ENDLESS VICTORY 2 points win @ 11/10 William Hill Goodwood 2.40 A eight runner EBF novice stakes for two year olds is up next with only four of the field having run before. The best of that quartet may turn out to be the Richard Hughes trained Ellomate who is 7lb better off for a debut 2L beating by the penalised Lady Lightning here. The other notable runner with form is the Irish runner Brosay who was third last time out at Dundalk. It wouldn’t take much to better those pieces of form so it may be worth taking a chance with the Eve Johnson-Houghton trained Gold Medalist who cost 30,000 euros as a yearling and is a half brother to two winners. Johnson-Houghton, like last year, has her juveniles in good early nick winning with four of her first eleven runners. GOLD MEDALIST 1 point each way @ 7/1 William Hill 1/5th 123 Newmarket 3.00 A field of thirteen head to post for this class 2 7F handicap. On fast ground the in form Ed Walker’s English Oak would be the pick but he’s been pulled out in the past on rain softened ground so I’ll look elsewhere for the winner. Charlie Appleby could well be in for a bumper meeting and is represented here by his lightly raced six year old Noble Dynasty who could be the answer. He may well have needed his latest run which came following a 469 day absence at Meydan in March when only fifth of 16 in a Group 3 and with course figures (at both Newmarket tracks) of 22711 may be able to get himself back in the winners enclosure under William Buick in a handicap that may actually not take as much winning as the numbers suggest. NOBLE DYNASTY 1 point win @ 7/2 Boylesports Newmarket 3.35 Another small but select field of six go to post for this 7F listed William Hill King Charles II Stakes. There shouldn’t be much between Charlie Appleby’s Bold Style and Roger Varian’s Boiling Point on course and distance running a fortnight ago at the Craven meeting when only a neck separated the pair despite initially racing far apart. The Group 1 St James Palace entry Indian Run, trained by the in form Eve Johnson-Houghton shouldn’t be dismissed although he wouldn’t want the ground too soft as he bombed out on his last run last season on his first start on an easy surface. I’ll take Boiling Point to confirm the form with Bold Style and give the Varian and James Doyle a welcome winner. BOILING POINT 1 point win @ 9/4 BetVictor Goodwood 3.50 Only five go to post for this 5F class 2 handicap in which one of the best bets of the day runs. The standout bet is the James Evans trained Dream Composer who appeared to have a legitimate excuse for his moderate run last time at Newmarket as he took a hefty bump when leaving the stalls. The handicapper has kindly dropped him 2lb for that run which puts him on mark 5lb lower than when winning this race (against 5 rivals) last year bringing his Goodwood record to 2102130. Any further rain will be in his favour and against the likes of Clarendon House and Harry Brown who have both been declared non-runners in the past on similar conditions. With King’s Lynn an infrequent winner this looks Dream Composer’s to lose under 5lb apprentice Joe Leavy. DREAM COMPOSER 2 points win @ 5/2 bet365 Newmarket 4.10 They feature race on day one of the Guineas meeting is the Group 2 William Hill Jockey Club Stakes and has attracted a small but select field of six. Charlie Appleby saddles a brace in the William Buick ridden Castle Way who is two from two at the track but is unproven on ground with any give and the James Doyle ridden King Of Conquest. Baaeed’s half brother Naqeeb, trained by William Haggas for Shadwell Stud is another with claims but this can go to the in form Harry Charlton trained Time Lock, the only mare in the race. Charlton has in team in fine shape and this Frankel five year old improved throughout the season in 2023 winning a listed race at Craon in France and a Group 3 over course and distance in September under today’s rider Ryan Moore. Any ground appears to come alike to the bay mare and she can score on her seasonal re-appearance. TIME CHASER 1 point win @ 5/2 bet365

Sandown 1.50 A bumper field to start the day’s ITV action with a maximum twenty runners going to post for this class 2 2M Novices’ Championship Handicap Hurdle. Many are making their handicap debuts so have the potential to be better than their mark although the one I like has already had a run in a handicap. Sam Thomas’s Steel Ally followed up his cosy Wincanton win by pushing subsequent Cheltenham winner Doyen Quest to a neck at Newbury last month with the third, some 9 3/4L back in third, Imperial Saint also winning since to further boost the form. He has been shunted up 7lb for that fine effort and can run well each way. Also on the shortlist is John O’Shea’s Maasai Mara who looks well treated in his first handicap in first time cheek pieces. I can see him running well also. STEEL ALLY 1 point each way @ 10/1 bet365 1/5th 12345 MAASAI MARA 1 point each way @ 14/1 bet365 1/5t 12345 Leicester 2.05 The feature race of the day at Leicester, and covered by the team at ITV is the 1M class 2 King Richard III Cup Handicap. Last year’s ready 4 1/4L winner Al Mubhir has his ground again and although 7lb higher than that win is most definitely the one they all have to beat. Trained by the in form William Haggas that was his only victory last season and he has been gelded since last seen. He did however come into last year’s race having had a run when 5th in the Lincoln and although the most likely winner is no value at his current odds of around 9/4. I’ll take him on with Tony Coyle & Keane Wood’s mud loving Thunder Roar. A dual winner in the mud last Autumn at York and Doncaster he went down by just half a length to the re-opposing Look Back Smiling (also declared at Haydock) and is a pound better off today. He looks sure to be thereabouts today under Cam Hardie and can be backed each way. THUNDER ROAR 1 point each way @ 5/1 bet365 1/5th 123 Sandown 2.25 Just the seven face the starter for this Grade 2 bet365 Oaksey Chase run over 2M 6 1/2F. The best in at the weights by a pound is Patrick Neville’s The Real Whacker who drops in trip and, according to his trainer in the trade press earlier in the week, will relish the drier ground. He looks the most likely winner to me. Paul Nicholl’s Hitman sports blinkers for the first time and at the weights is the likely danger with the Willie Mullins representative Easy Game having to carry a 6lb penalty and also sporting first time cheek pieces. Not a very inspiring race with all bar Fantastic Lady sporting some form of headgear but the pick is The Real Whacker to small stakes. THE REAL WHACKER 1 point win @ 5/2 bet365 Haydock 2.45 A ten runner 7F class 2 handicap which is covered by the ITV cameras today and it really does have an open look about it. With the ground riding very soft all bar last year’s winner Rainbow Fire should be in their element. Katie Scott’s Gweedore was runner up last season and has won first time out for the last two seasons and has to be on the shortlist with the selection being the Richard Hannon trained Tacarib Bay. His last five starts have all been on the all-weather which include a 6F listed win last November at Newcastle but he’s equally as effective on the turf as he proved when running some good races in defeat in big handicaps last summer. He obviously likes this track as he’s won two of his three visits here and is currently on the same handicap mark as when scoring over course and distance in July 2022. He looks good each way value for a trainer who’s been amongst the winners recently especially if able to find a firm paying four places. TACARIB BAY 1 point each way @ 9/1 Betfred 1/5 1234 Sandown 3.00 The 1m 7 1/2f Grade 1 Celebration Chase looks a match between Willie Mullins’s Cheltenham flop El Fabiolo and Nicky Henderson’s impressive Aintree winner Jonbon with officially just 5lb between the pair in favour of the former. That pair are rated 6lb (Edwardstone next best) and more better than the other five and in what is a race to saviour can be won by Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon who is unbeaten at the Esher track in three starts here including in this race last year. He looked good over further last time but also has speed and may actually cope with the drying ground better than the Mullins runner who has raced exclusively on soft ground and of course has the poor run at Cheltenham to put behind him. It’s hard to split the pair so at the prices the pick will be J P McManus’s Jonbon who will be ridden by Nico De Boinville. JONBON 1 point win @ 9/4 bet365 Sandown 3.35 A bumper maximum field of twenty line up for the 3M 4 1/2F bet365 Gold Cup (hands up if you’re old enough to remember the race as the Whitbread Gold Cup). Current favourite is last year’s winner Kitty’s Light who has to be part of the staking plan having run so well when leading over the last in the Grand National a fortnight ago. The quick turnaround doesn’t worry me as he won the Scottish Grand National and this contest with a week between them last year. He’s 5lb higher than last season but the ground appears to have come right for him and Christian Williams’s eight year old looks sure to be thereabouts. An outsider who I feel is overpriced is Anthony Honeyball’s Sam Brown who is arguably the best handicapped horse in the field as he goes up 4lb in future handicaps for his highly creditable run at Aintree a fortnight ago when runner up to Cruz Control under today’s pilot Freddie Gingell. He’s the oldest horse in the race by two years plus and maybe that’s why he’s been neglected in the betting but he had one of today’s rivals in Kinondo Kwetu just under 7L behind that day and on the same terms is a bigger price. Many others have chances but it’s Kitty’s Light and Sam Brown for me. KITTY’S LIGHT 1 point each way @ 5/1 William Hill 1/5th 12345 SAM BROWN 1/2 point each way @ 33/1 bet365 1/5th 12345

210 epsom Looking for Lynda 8.5 9/1 Mountain peak. 8.5 10/1 Clearpoint. 8.2 Tricky race with lots of questions marks but I'll try 2pt Ew on top 2 as they look a bit of value

525 Newmarket Carrytheone 8.9 20/1 bet365 Percy's lad. 8.9 16/1 bet365 Northern express. 8.5 Pearle dor. 8.5 Pearle dor sets the standard at 9/2 so the top 2 rated look very good value .....they've not had a run so hard to know where they are fitness wise so I'll keep bets small .....2pts Ew top 2 .... And 0.5 PT rev forecast ...total 9 PTS

Aint 405 Kandoo kid 9.0 16/1 The Edgar Wallace 8.8 36.0 Fantastic lady 8.7 34.0 Betfair Incredibly hard race ....5pt Ew kandoo ...5pt wins other two Betfair

Newmarket 1.45 Sixteen speedy animals go to post for the 6F class 2 handicap. It looks open but my shortlist comprises of the unexposed Charlie Hills runner Rabaah who’s been gelded since a decent fifth at York last June. His trainer still thinks he can make up into a pattern performer so has to be given plenty of respect. The veteran Summerghand was a massive eye catcher last time when running on to finish in a similar handicap over course and distance at the Craven meeting to finish fifth. Will he back that run up though? I’m not sure. Also there with claims is the Jack Channon runner Chairmanoftheboard who was runner up in this last year from a one pound lower mark and showed he retains all of his ability when runner up in a similar contest at Newbury last month won by Wiltshire. He’s the main pick although I can’t resist a small each way saver on Rabaah. CHAIRMANOFTHEBOARD 1 point each way @ 9/1 bet365 1/5th 12345 RABAAH 1/2 point each way @ 9/1 Coral 1/5th 12345 Goodwood 2.05 Eight fillies or mares have declared for this 1M listed William Hill Conqueror Fillies’ Stakes run over a mile. Most of these are proven on soft ground so the underfoot conditions shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Simon & Ed Crisford’s Choisya won at the big meeting here last August from the re-opposing Novus on soft ground and should strip fitter than most having run well when going down by a head in a listed race on the all-weather at Kempton last month. She should be thereabouts but it’s the lightly raced William Haggas trained Orchid Bloom that may be the answer to this puzzle. She has soft or heavy ground form figures of 112 with the latter second coming in a listed race at Saint-Cloud last September going down by the shortest of margins. She’s run well fresh in the past and can take the first prize under Cieran Fallon. ORCHID BLOOM 1 point win @ 7/2 Betfred Newmarket 2.20 Another class 2 sixteen runner handicap with this one being run over 1M 1F. Again the race has a wide open look about it with the most interesting runner being the John & Thady Gosden entry Torito who was last seen running fourth at Royal Ascot in the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes. He is 10lb higher now but if straight enough can feature at the business end. Plenty of these would prefer softer conditions and they include the likes of Liberty Lane, Mr Professor, Lattam and Theoryofeverything. One horse who won’t mind what the underfoot conditions are is Charlie Johnston’s Dutch Decoy who ran the re-opposing Hafeet Alain to a nose here at the Craven meeting and meets his rival on 4lb better terms which should be enough to turn the tables on him. The other Charlie Johnston runner here is Lion Of War who has the services of Oisin Murphy and returns to the Johnston stable having raced (just the once) for Brendan Walsh in America. He had previously ben a useful sort in handicaps notably when runner up at Royal Ascot in the Golden Gates Handicap off a mark 5lb lower than today’s. He can also be competitive but in a race where it may pay to keep stakes small the pick is the Dutch Decoy. DUTCH DECOY 1 point each way @ 8/1 Coral 1/5th 12345 Thirsk 2.40 A maximum field of sixteen head to post for Thirsk’s big race of the day in the Vickers.bet Thirsk Hunt Cup run over a mile. Last year’s one - two Northern Express and Pisanello are back to challenge for the valuable prize and it maybe last year’s runner up Pisanello that can turn the table’s on his old rival on 5lb better terms for that 3/4L defeat. That was his first run of the season so we know that he can go well fresh and he went on from that fine effort to strike twice later in the season at Hamilton. He’s back on his last winning mark and an inside draw of stall one is always favourable on the turning track at Thirsk. Mark Winn has got on well with David O’Meara’s seven year old in the past, including in this race last year and looks good each way value in an open contest in which he could easily have been targeted at. PISANELLO 1 point each way @ 8/1 bet365 1/5th12345 Newmarket 2.55 A rather disappointing renewal of the 5F Group 3 William Hill Palace House Stakes with eight going to post. The best in at the weights is the Charlie Hills trained Mitbaahy who ran well at the last meeting on his first run for Hills when fourth of 14 in the Group 3 Abernant Stakes won by Washington Heights. A reproduction of that run should see him go close and he’s the pick ahead of the only three year old in the field, the Karl Burke trained filly Beautiful Diamond who was last seen winning a listed race at Ayr at the Western meeting. MITBAAHY 1 point win @ 7/2 Unibet Newmarket 3.35 The first classic of the season is the Qipco 2000 Guineas run over a mile and this Group One contest has attracted eleven runners. At the top of the betting is the potential superstar City Of Troy. Aidan O’Brien’s unbeaten Justify colt has looked a bit special in winning his three races as a juvenile culminating in success here over 7F in the Dewhurst. The extra furlong will not be a problem nor will any further easing of the ground. He’ll be very hard to beat and has the potential to be the best we’ve seen for a very long time. Second favourite Rosallion will be no pushover though as he was a very useful two year old who took the Group 1 Prix Jean-Lagardere at Longchamp on Arc weekend. His only disappointing run last year came on very soft ground so he wouldn’t want the ground to get too soft. Two interesting runners are the unbeaten pair of the Charlie Appleby trained Notable Speech who showed a sparkling turn of foot to win on the all weather a month ago at Kempton and the Karl Burke trained Night Raider who’s looked good in winning two all-weather races and again impressed in a racecourse gallop at the Craven meeting. Both have to prove themselves on turf mind and the selection has to be City Of Troy who could be very special. If he wins this he will be a very short price for the Derby so maybe back him in the special price 2000/Derby double rather than at today’s cramped odds. CITY OF TROY 2 points win double (to win 2000 Gns & Derby) 2/1 Ladbrokes

Does the business ....beating the short price fav ....making a nice profit on the day

Rainbow Fire 2 45 Hay/ 1/40th of a pt ew 16/1 - 3rd An Brandan Frasa 1 50 San/ 1/40th of a pt ew 22/1 Rapper 3 35 San/ 1/40th of a pt ew 40/1 Will Carver 5 20 San/ 1/40th of a pt ew 22/1 P/L + 177 Pts

505 epsom Mr baloo likes it here at epsom ...has a fitness edge having won at kemp and has the services of Alec voikhanksky who's good for his claim of 3lb ....should run well 5pt win 100/30

2pts e/w 1.50 NM WOODHAY WONDER 10/1 1-5 1/5 not Bog (Ryan Moores mount Blue Prince look the main threat)

It's all profit ......another +35.00 in the kitty

Wallop 1 50 New/ 1/40th of a pt ew 25/1 Dark Thirty 1 50 New/ 1/40th of a pt ew 16/1 - won Lucid 4 10 New/ 1/40th of a pt ew 16/1

Aintree 1.20 Grand National day starts with a valuable twenty two runner Premier Handicap Hurdle with a very open look about it. Pertemps Handicap Hurdle winner Monmiral takes on some of those that finished behind him that day with a 6lb rise to contend with. The third that day was Nigel Twiston-Davies’s Cuthbert Dibble, beaten only 3 1/2L and now 5lb better off, which may be enough to turn the form around and he’s the pick on ground that will suit. Dan Skelton fires three arrows at the race with the Harry Skelton ridden West Balboa, who took this last year from a 6lb lower mark and is unbeaten in two starts here probably the pick of the trio. The unexposed handicap debutant Johnnywho from the Jonjo O’Neill stable is another interesting runner in a contest where cases can be made for plenty but I’m sticking with Cuthbert Dibble each way. CUTHBERT DIBBLE 1 point each way @ 13-2 bet365 1/5th 123456 Aintree 1.55 A field of nine assemble for the 2M 4F Grade 1 Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle. Gordon Elliott’s highly regarded mare Brighterdaysahead heads the market following a creditable 1 3/4L second in the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham to Golden Ace which has already been franked by the victory of the fourth Jade De Grugy in Grade 1 company at Fairyhouse. She looks sure to go well. An ex inmate of Elliott’s, Caldwell Potter may well end up the biggest threat as a Grade 1 winner himself at Leopardstown over Christmas. He’s been bought since at the Caldwell Construction Ltd dispersal for an obscene 740,000 euros and makes his stable debut for Paul Nicholls having missed Cheltenham. Gallaghers Novices’ Hurdle second and third Jimmy Du Seuil and Ile Atlantique, both trained by Willie Mullins add further spice to an intriguing race that can fall to Brighterdaysahead. BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD 1 point win @ 2-1 BetVictor Aintree 2.30 Just thirteen line up for this 3M 210 yard Premier Handicap Chase. Jonjo O’Neill’s Crebilly steps up in trip having run well when runner up in the Plate Handicap Chase at Cheltenham although he will need to improve his jumping to take a hand in the finish whilst the Skelton runner The King Of Ryhope showed improved form last time out when fourth of five in the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot, form which ties him in with the runner up that day Kilbeg King. Anthony Honeyball saddles a trio of possibles in Sam Brown (who won this two years ago by 15L), Forward Plan and Kilbeg King who all have claims. At a bigger price I like the look of the bottom weight trained by Venetia Williams in the shape of Denmat. He ran a stormer for a long way in the 3M 2F Kim Muir Handicap Chase when a 33/1 chance on only his third run for Williams under Miss A O’Connor who rode him positively from the front. He weakened two out ending up 9th beaten 36L but the drop to a sharper track and two furlongs less with Charlie Deutsch back in the saddle can pay dividends and he looks a value each way play with an extra place even if it would of been better had Williams had her string in better form. DEMNAT 1 point each way @ 20-1 bet365 1/5th 1234 Aintree 3.05 A dozen staying hurdlers assemble for the Grade 1 JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle. Gordon Elliott’s veteran Sire Du Berlais has won this event for the last two years and it would be no shock were he to pull the hat trick off for owner J P McManus. He was one of five from this field that ran in the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham 30 days ago with Gavin Cromwell’s Flooring Porter coming out the best of the quintet going down by just under four lengths to the winner Teahupoo with Buddy One (4 1/2L), Sire Du Berlais (7L), Dashel Drasher (10 1/2L) and Crambo (10 3/4L) all behind. Flooring Porter has run well in this race before having finished runner up in 2022 and third last year and he can finally take the contest at the third attempt. FLOORING PORTER 1 point win @ 7-2 William Hill Aintree 4.00 A different Grand National with a maximum field of 34 is run over 4M 2F 74 yards and as always looks fiendishly difficult. Last year’s winner and runner up Corach Rambler and Vanillier are back again and both hold chances. With the ground being so soft this year you’re going to need to stay well and the race may fall to one of Willie Mullins’s eight in the shape of I Am Maximus who won the Irish Grand National last season under Paul Townend who is reunited with the eight year old having prepped for this by taking the 3M Bobbyjo Chase in February with Vanillier 14L back in second and now 4lb worse off. He does have his quirks mind but if he takes to the whole experience he may just be too classy for his rivals. John C McConnell’s Mahler Mission looks to have been mapped out for this having not been seen since November and can also go well as he will stay well and loves the mud. The best of the outsiders may well be Delta Work, one of eight trained in the race by Gordon Elliott who was still going ok when unseating eight from home last year. He sports first time blinkers and having been placed in the race two years ago will stay well. Of those at monster prices, Venetia Williams’s Chambard appeals as the sort to run well having shown he handles the fences and heavy ground by winning the Becher Chase last November. I AM MAXIMUS 1 point each way @ 8-1 Ladbrokes 1/5th 12345 MAHLER MISSION 1 point each way @ 16-1 bet365 1/5th 123456 DELTA WORK 1/2 point each way @ 20-1 Betfred 1/5th 1234567 CHAMBARD 1/4 point each way @ 66-1 Betfred 1/5th 1234567 Aintree 5.00 The valuable Grade 1 Maghull Novices’ Chase is run over 2M and we have ten speedy chasers facing the judge. The favourite and the one they all have to beat is Gordon Elliott’s Found A Fifty. His 8 1/2L second spot in the Arkle at Cheltenham to Gaelic Warrior was given a big boost by the third that day Il Etait Temps winning at Aintree on Thursday. At a price I expect Sarah Humphrey’s Nickle Back to run well as a natural front runner who may well be suited by the track and may get an easy lead. He’s worth a small each way saver. The Willie Mullins trained Hercule Du Seuil is chasing a six timer and can’t be dismissed even though we haven’t seen him since the autumn. FOUND A FIFTY 1 point win @ 2-1 bet365 NICKLE BACK 1/4 point each way @ 11-1 bet365 1/5th 123 Aintree 5.35 The three day Aintree Grand National finishes with a 2M 1F Grade 2 NH Flat race. The Jonjo O’Neill trained favourite Mister Meggit has won bumpers at Carlisle and Doncaster in the mud without coming off the bridle and literally could be anything. He’s been priced accordingly mind. Emma Lavelle has her string in decent shape and her runner here Ma Shantou can reward an each way wager. Costing a cool £120,000 last December following a third in a Fairyhouse bumper he too made a scintillating British debut when bolting up at Huntingdon last month. It’s hard to know what he beat that day as nothing has run since from the race but I can see him running well under Tom Bellamy. The impression made by Mister Meggit though means he is the main bet although a small each way saver on Ma Shantou is also advised. MISTER MEGGIT 1 point win @ 9-4 bet365 MA SHANTOU 1/2 point each way @ 7-1 bet365 1/5th 1234

Well done to the winners , the 22 in profit over the 3 days , PL for running the comp & @MCLARKE for collating skills 👍👏

The dog watcher holds on for the win. Calvas late surge falls short as does Mrjol in 3rd Special mention to @harry_rag who also took part but contributed little else apart from ensuring the accuracy of Grammar the pedantic B'stard. 👨‍🎓 😁🤣

305 ain't Flooring porter 8.9 7/2 Botox has. 8.7 21.0 betfair Sure du berlais 8.4 Buddy one. 8.1 10pt flooring ....5pt Botox

Unfortunately I will always place my bets when uploading so had to do with 12-1 which is a bit gutting but on the flip side got 5-2 Jonbon, 11-4 Inoutherwayuthinkin and 2-1 Mystical Power (R4) so can't complain

Bold Endeavour 1 20 Ain/ 1/40th of a pt ew 36/1 Mr Incredible 4 00 Ain/ 1/40th of a pt ew 18/1 Fine Margin 1 20 Ain/ 1/40th of a pt ew 25/1 Foxy Jacks 4 00 Ain/ 1/40th of a pt ew 80/1 Quilixios 5 00 Ain/ 1/40th of a pt ew 16/1

13:45 Aintree Giovinco 0.5pts E/W @9/1 (2 places) This is such an average race with lots of these making the switch from handicaps which can be a struggle. Giovinco is an interesting angle and might just be the key too this race from so far down in the market. Unlike the rest this horse hasnt been running just in handicaps and are proved in grade 1 races after running an absolute blinder at Cheltenham. This was on similar ground and this course is less testing on the stamina which should help them as well. Iroko is the main danger i feel after their chase debut was so impressive however im not sure how they will be turned out after a poor run last time out! 14:20 Aintree Making Headway 0.5pts E/W @13/2 (6 places) Making Headway made late headway last time out on their handicap debut. They are 1lb lower than that day and this longer trip looks like it should suit them nicely. Their jumping wasnt always brilliant last time out so if they have tidied that up then they can have a real good go here. The ground is not an issue and if taking to this new trip they should be in the picture with alot of extra places being offered here. 14:20 Aintree Champagne Twist 0.5pts E/W @9/1 (6 places) Another one in the second race i like and will most likely be playing is Champagne Twist. This horse loved the longer trip when scoring well last time out and a 7lb raise might not stop them. This yard has been in the form of their life as of late and this horse has been improving with every run. If they can continue this trend they should be somewhere near the front when it gets to the business end of proceedings. 16:05 Aintree Shakem Up'arry 0.5pts E/W @13/2 (6 places) This horse won for me at the festival and i thunk a 6lb rise might end up being a little on the light side. They won well and only came back to the field when they were left alone at the front and started idling a little. This course is a little less demanding on the stamina which might be good for them from a rising mark. This is a wide open race however with the extra places on offer here i think they are going to make a cracking attempt at the hattrick.

That's fantastic, thank you. I'm doing OK, 3 more months of chemo and then hopefully be in remission for a bit.

A maximum of 22 will be lining up for this year's Aintree Foxhunters' on Thursday. It looks set to be an interesting affair and one which will take place on very testing ground. Here is my in-depth guide to the race. Annamix - Clearly still very capable as he showed when beating Billaway and Ferns Lock at Fairyhouse a year ago. That day he picked up the pieces after those two went quite hard up front. He was then running a big race at Punchestown when he was badly hampered at 3 out and had to pull up. He then won at Killarney the following month. This season he returned at Naas and pulled up behind Its On The Line, but he looked pretty good in winning at Gowran a month later beating Early Doors by 10L. I think he has the ability to play a part, but I think he would prefer a longer trip and as much as this course isn't the jumping test it used to be, he has often jumped terribly in hunter chases. I found it very odd that Patrick Mullins described him as an excellent jumper after that Gowran win. Those two things stop me from wanting to back him, but if he put in a bold showing I wouldn't be shocked. Bennys King - Ran a huge race in this last year to finish 2nd to Famous Clermont and all the evidence suggests that he's in just as good form this season as well. He started off with a couple of fitness runs in handicaps and then the cheekpieces went back on and he ran a huge race to finish 3rd in the opening hunter chase of the season given he had set a hell of a pace and the race has worked out well. He was then 2nd to Sine Nomine at Wetherby over a trip which stretches him, but clearly given she won at Cheltenham it was still a respectable effort. He was really good at Leicester though when he jumped them silly from the front and beat Hardline by 23L. He no doubt will be prominently ridden again and whilst he probably isn't quite good enough to win he should be capable of a top 6 finish again. Cap Du Mathan - Appreciated the drop down to hunter chases when winning over 2m at Leicester in easy style. Firak was hampered though and whilst he still would likely have finished 2nd it would have been interesting if he had have been capable of making him fight for it. The 9yo had pulled up the last couple of times, but his seasonal return at Ascot when a close 4th to Boothill was to be fair a decent effort. He's unproven at the trip and wouldn't be my idea of the winner. Captain Tommy - Has done well to win a couple of hunter chases at Ludlow this season given he hasn't won pointing, although he was well fancied and I think there were reasons why he didn't run as well in them as he did in both Ludlow wins. In theory beating Espoir De Guye is strong form, but I think he must have under performed and whilst I can see him running his race he ought not to be good enough. Cat Tiger - 3rd to Cousin Pascal in 2021 and 2nd to Latenightpass in 2022 so can he now go on to win it this year? Looks unlikely to me as he looks on the downgrade. He ran out at Hereford in the race Time Leader won and then was 26L behind Bennys King when 3rd at Leicester last time. I can see that some people will latch onto him because of his Aintree record and I get that, but for me you are purely relying on that fact and he doesn't look in the same form now as he was then. Drop Flight - Won at Exeter last month and it was probably a deserved hunter chase success but he was pulled up at 66/1 in this last year and I don't see there being much improvement on that. Espoir De Guye - Didn't stay on hunter chase debut when a well beaten 3rd at Warwick, but dropped down to 2m4f at Wincanton he got the better of Famous Clermont which was a really good effort. Didn't back it up at Ludlow last time when 2nd to Captain Tommy and there wasn't an obvious excuse that day. You would give him an e/w squeak on the Wincanton win, but I suspect a midfield finish is most likely. Focus Point - Beating Fakie D'alene in October was a good effort, but he's been well beaten since and was 2nd in a maiden hunter chase at Down Royal last May so shouldn't be good enough. Garboriot - Came over from France and went hunter chasing last season and showed great promise on his debut at Hereford when a 20L 3rd to Bennys King. Things didn't go so well after than as he was a well beaten 4th at Kelso and then pulled up at Fakenham. He then unseated at the first at Warwick. He ran a bit better when 2nd at Ludlow, but was still beaten 12L and then he was stuffed again at Kempton. So the wheels had appeared to fall off, but the 12L 2nd to Time Leader at Cartmel was better and again showed that there was ability there. Given the summer off he went handicapping late last year and won at Kempton and Doncaster before just being denied when 3rd at Ludlow off 122 just before Christmas. Finally he was showing his true form and connections think it had just taken time for him to acclimatise to his new yard. He had another break before going back hunter chasing at Catterick and I thought he was very impressive in beating Windsor Avenue by 6L. Given George Cowley had yet to ride a winner under rules I thought he gave him a very cool and calm ride and with it just being a prep run for this there should be more to come. I think he looks one of the major players. Grand Roi - Has looked to have his quirks in points and hunter chases this season. Was flattered to be so close to Secret Investor at Fakenham and I don't think he would have beaten Forest Chimes at Stratford even if he had jumped the last better. He then bizarrely was sent off favourite a week later at Exeter and barley went a yard before pulling up. Can't have him at all here. Hardline - Beaten 31L by Ferns Lick at Thurles in January and somehow stayed on for 2nd behind Bennys King at Leicester despite looking like he would be tailed off. Still has 23L to make up on him though and was a well beaten 17th in the Topham last year. Might do better than that, but makes no appeal from a betting point of view. Its On The Line - A great run at Cheltenham to finish 2nd again, this time to Sine Nomine. It was no surprise to see him race lazily again, but he keeps finding for pressure and whilst he has his quirks, unlike Famous Clermont he does find. He ran in this last year and fell at Bechers when he was towards the back of the field. Given he is a horse who is full of stamina I'm just not sure this trip is going to be what he wants and it is always hard to win round this course when you are coming from so far back, which is likely to be what he tries to do. I had heard that he was going to miss the race, but I suspect really testing ground has meant they have changed their plans and are going to give it a go anyway. He has the ability to win, but even in testing ground I'm not sure this looks his race to me as surely he is going to get himself outpaced and I'm happy enough to take him on. What he does look like is a Grand National type and it wouldn't surprise me if that's where he ends up next season. Lieutenant Rocco - Never run here, but was 4th in the Cross-Country at the Festival last year and whilst beaten 46L it was still a fair effort. This season he pulled up in a handicap on Boxing Day, but then ran really well when trying to make all at Taunton in February when 2nd to the very promising Macklin. Wasn't so good 8 days later at Wincanton when finishing a well beaten 3rd behind Espoir De Guye and Famous Clermont. I'd be inclined to forgive that effort given how close it was to the very good Taunton one and a bold showing wouldn't be a shock. Matts Commission - Finally got the hunter chase win he deserved at Hexham last May and ran OK to finish 9th in this last year. Did win a point last month, but can't see him improving on that 9th. Rebel Dawn Rising - Finally got the 2nd hunter chase victory he deserved when winning at Fakenham on Gold Cup day. He slowed into the final fence, which is something he did last year at Fakenham when unseating his jockey before the fence when he would have won. He ran really well at Cheltenham last May as he tried to serve it up to Premier Magic, but he doesn't really stay 3m2f. This trip is ideal for him and he should improve from that Fakenham run which was his seasonal return. He might not quite have the class of some of these, but it would be no surprise if he managed a top 6 finish as this race looks perfect for him. Reikers Island - 15th in this last year and no doubt the aim is to give his owner/jockey another spin round. Romeo Magico - Was originally put in at a single figure price which surprised me as his form doesn't massively excite me at this stage. He won a maiden hunter chase at Limerick over Christmas by 0.5L and then was an 8L 2nd to Ferns Lock at Thurles and was easily put in his place. He then was only 4th in a point before looking impressive when winning at Down Royal on St Patricks Day over 2m4f. As good as he looked though that wasn't a great contest and I just don't see what he's done to warrant being so short in the betting as others have certainly achieved more. Clearly being 6 means there might be improvement to come, but even with the drift he still looks on the short side. Spyglass Hill - Was pretty useful for Henry De Bromhead in Ireland and got up to a mark of 146 and ran in some decent races. He did run over course and distance in the Grand Sefton in 2021 and he was in the lead when he stumbled and unseated at the Canal Turn. His last run in Ireland was a year ago which was a solid 3rd at Clonmel. He is now with Regan Pallas who works for Christian Williams and he made his debut for him in the Walrus at Haydock. Given how desperate the ground was and the fact he had been off for nearly a year I thought it was a top performance to come out on top as he had to be really game in the finish to beat Iskandar Pecos. That one franked the form by hacking up at Leicester a few days later albeit in a weak race and he then won at Ludlow last week. The fact we are going to get heavy ground really enhances his claims as all 4 wins have been on heavy ground and with stable confidence high he looks set to go very close. James King is a great jockey booking as well as he gave Cousin Pascal one of the best rides you will ever see round the National course to win this race. Tea Clipper - The bid for Cheltenham qualification failed in part due to the weather as one of the races he was due to run in was called off and in part because he hates soft ground. As it turned out he probably wouldn't have run given the ground last month anyway. A lot of people slated James King for getting him beat at Warwick, but given D'Jango finished 4th at Cheltenham I just think he was beaten by a better stayer. I'd ignore the Ludlow effort which was way below par. He clearly finds it hard to win, but he has also run to a high level this season and a level which would see him go fairly close in this. Clearly ground is important for him though and it just isn't in his favour. The Big Lense - Just needed a top 3 finish at Leicester to qualify for this, but may have got slightly lucky thanks to a faller. He's better on better ground and the win at Aintree last June was a very good effort. I think his campaign has been built towards a big run here from a shrewd yard, but even so I would have liked to have seen a bit more to want to back him even at a huge price especially on testing ground Time Leader - If he hadn't made a really bad mistake at the chair last year then he would have gone very close to winning as he was only beaten 6.25L in 5th and he probably lost nearly that with the error. I thought he was capable of running a big race at Cheltenham and initially had it between him and Quintin's Man as to who would be the small e/w bet for me in the race. As the ground was testing I went with Quintin's Man as Time Leader had shown he hates testing ground in the past, but not only did he handle it, he also looked the winner in the home straight until his stamina ran out in the ground. His jockey said that if the ground was better then he might well have won and to be fair I could easily have seen that being true. Whilst he obviously does stay 3m2f, this trip is probably his ideal distance and he I think he will have a great chance of improving on his 5th last year and he could easily win for his young trainer Hannah who is no doubt helped by his former trainer Joe O'Shea, who won this race with Cousin Pascal. Windsor Avenue - Well beaten by Sine Nomine at Wetherby and then behind Spyglass Hill in the Walrus. Ran much better behind Gaboriot at Catterick so fitness is clearly getting there. He could find a northern hunter chase this season, but whilst he should give his jockey a nice spin round, I can't see it being this one he wins. Verdict - It's quite tight at the top of the market, but It's On The Line is favourite with most and I am happy to take him on. The testing ground is in his favour and I think will help his cause, but I think he's going to find himself outpaced and out the back which will mean making a lot of ground in testing conditions. That's going to be tough to do and whilst he has the ability to win, it will be some performance for him to do so. The ground has come in the favour of Spyglass Hill and he rates the main selection. It was a very good win first up in the Walrus and he should come on for that. All his wins have been on heavy and I suspect he will settle just behind the front runners which should be ideal. I know stable confidence is high and the 33/1 he was put in when betting opened was a huge rick. Given the ground I would just about make him favourite. Time Leader is only just behind him in how high I rate his chances and that is purely down to the ground. If it was drier then I would make him favourite, but the fact he handled it at Cheltenham over further does enhance my confidence that he will handle it here. He was superb in the race last year and whilst his jockey can't use his claim, he has looked one of the best amateur's around this season so that doesn't bother me. If the Cheltenham contest was over 2m5f then he would have beaten Its On The Line and I think he will reverse the form with him. The 3rd pick is my e/w bet of the race and probably the one horse who is still massively over priced in the race. Gaboriot has looked an improved horse this season and this race has been the target. I was really impressed with him at Catterick and he should be a single figure price in my view. Annamix has the ability to win, but I worry about his jumping and he looks underpriced. Couldn't put anyone off backing Bennys King e/w as he has shown he is in as good form as he was last season and he should be in the top 5. Of the real big prices Rebel Dawn Rising makes the most appeal as I think he has the ability to be in and around the top 5. Spyglass Hill 2pts @ 9/2 with Skybet, Betfred, William Hill, BetVictor, Coral and Ladbrokes (take up to 3/1) Time Leader 1.75pts @ 5/1 with Coral and Ladbrokes (take up to 100/30) Gaboriot 1pt e/w @ 14/1 with Coral and Ladbrokes to 5 places (take up to 7/1)

220 ain't Might I 8.9 20/1 Theatre man. 8.7 11/1 Kateira. 8.4 8/1 Spring Well bay. 8.0 Icare Allen. 8.0 Very difficult race ....kateira is fav and sets the standard so as you can see in comparison the top 2 look very good value bets. . .I'll try 5pt Ew both 😁

Fantastic Lady 4 05 Ain/ 1/40th of a pt ew 38/1 -6th Frero Banbou 4 05 Ain/ 1/40th of a pt ew 20/1 Zeeband 5 15 Aim/ 1/40th of a pt ew 18/1 Pikar 5 15 Ain/ 1/40th of a pt ew 25/1 Jango Baie 2 20 Ain/ 1/40th of a pt ew 14/1 - 2nd

440 ain't Saint roi. 8.9 5/1 Path doroux. 8.9 7/1 Unexpected party 8.7. Heltenham 8.5 5pt wins top 2

Abate 1 45 New/ 1/40th of a pt ew 28/1 Pisanello 2 40 Thk/ 1/40th of a pt ew 12/1 Expressionless 4 55 Thk/ 1/40th of a pt ew 14/1 Captain Wierzba 4 30 Gwd/ 1/40th of a pt ew 25/1 Comfort Zone 5 25 Pun/ 1/40th of a pt ew 33/1 Mustazeed 2 20 New/ 1/40th of a pt ew 25/1 - N/R

Well done top 3 , some decent LSP's there & also @bymatrix most winners & 4th in monthly 👏

Won @ 7-1

Wow...the fun lasted long 😂

Percy's lad 2nd ...good run

Too short a festival. I prefer to play my way in for the first 3 days then blitz the winners on the last day. Well done the winner and anyone who finished in the black (or on better than -£9 to be fair). Cheers to Zil for running it with his customary skill, grace and wit. 😎

From other thread .....good luck everyone on a fab days racing

Obviously the Grand National is the main focus, but hopefully I can get you some spending money on the big race by finding some winners on Day 2 of The Championships at Randwick. The track race surprisingly well given all the rain last weekend and it was a profitable day. The weather is set fair for tomorrow so the ground should be decent so no worries on that front. Race 6 The Australian Oaks is New Zealand filly Orchestral’s to lose. She looked really good when winning the New Zealand Derby at the start of March and then she took the G1 Vinery Stud at Rosehill a couple of weeks ago. She had to tough it out that day over 2000m and looked like the step back up to 2400m is ideal for her. It is hard to see any of the other horses in behind reversing the form with her. The bigger dangers might come from new form lines with Autumn Angel and Quintessa who was just beaten by NZ Derby 2nd at Moonee Valley last time which obviously ties in with Orchestral. Orchestral @ 8/13 with William Hill Race 7 The Sydney Cup doesn’t have the profile of the Melbourne version, but it is still a G1 and it looks a decent renewal of the race. I put up Circle Of Fire last week and I was impressed with his victory so I am going in again with him as the main bet. That race was over 2600m and he has another 600m to go here, but the Queens Vase effort suggests he should stay and with the ground better this week that should help him as well. Andrea Atzeni has come across to Australia for the ride as well. The 7 day back up is always a slight concern, but is something they do often in Australia and he looks to be building up nicely into this. Athabascan is interesting as he was very strong in the Tancred last time in the final 100m after taking his time to build momentum in the straight having been tight for room round the corner. He looks ready to peak here up in distance and looks in better form than he was last prep. Ashrun was 4th in the Melbourne Cup and landed the Pakenham Cup with ease on Cheltenham Gold Cup Day. He was 3rd in the Tancred and was found to be lame so he has a chance as well. Former Derby winner Serpentine has won his last 2, but I’m not sure he wants this far. I am going to have a small bet on Amade at a double figure price though. As he ran an incredible race in the Adelaide Cup last time having stood still when the stalls opened losing 4-5L and then the stirrup strap broke so the rider lost both his irons. For him to finish 4th after all that was a superb effort. We know he stays well and he landed the Geelong Cup in October. This could be his chance to win a bigger Cup. Circle Of Fire @ 4/1 with everyone Athabascan @ 7 with everyone Amade @ 10 with Bet365 Race 8 The main race of the card is the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The Australian Cup was a good race with Cascadian getting the better of Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside who was only 5th. However I think the ex George Boughey trained Via Sistina can beat them all. She was really good last season winning the Pretty Polly at the Curragh, then 3rd in the Falmouth followed by 2 2nds in the Prix Jean Romanet and the Champion Stakes. All that is clearly top class form. She was then purchased for a small fortune and sent to Chris Waller and she oozed class when winning the Ranvet at Rosehill on her first start in Australia. They didn’t go much of pace, but she was able to quicken up from last place at the 400m marker to go and win in impressive style. Her final 400m splits were very quick. I think she is the best horse in the race and I think the likely stronger pace will suit her even better. Via Sistina @ 5/4 with William Hill

4.30 Dundalk - CAPTAIN GALLAGHER 9/2 bet365 . backed in to 13/8 favourite but finished 7th of 9 👎 Another of SERGEI PROKOFIEV'S 1st season sire progeny , he's 3 from 3 so far ( I think ) & this one trained by D.O'Brien .