Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle > 5:25pm Thursday April 3rd

[Aidymac]

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[Aidymac]

Re: Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle > 5:25pm Thursday April 3rd Aintree 5:25 - This race is always a complete minefield and you need luck on your side but it is also important to try find a bit of value in the process. I must say I am quite keen on the chances of the Philip Hobbs trained Pateese who should be shorter than 40/1 with Coral according to my tissue. He finished 2nd to Whisper off a mark of 139 at Newbury back in December and Whisper has gone on to win the Coral Cup for Nicky Henderson at the Cheltenham Festival a few weeks ago. He now runs off a 3 pound lower mark tomorrow (136) and has Chris Davies taking off 7 pounds in the saddle. He finished in midfield in the Pertemps which was a very messy race. He finished 2nd over this trip behind Mickie back in November (Western Warhorse behind) and has a squeak here. The other horse of interest here is the Nicky Henderson trained Riverside Theatre who looks to be running off a really nice mark here. He would be rated a lot higher than 145 over fences so if he comes here and produces what he can do over hurdles, a mark of 145 will look very lenient. He is a very quirky horse than spends most of his races off the bridle but when he is on song he absolutely powers home in his races and Geraghty will be looking to take full advantage of this mark. He has been out of form on his last couple of runs in the King George and Ascot Chase but he missed the festival so Nicky could have him spot on for this. He looks a very backable price at 14/1 with Bet Victor. There has been a bit of a market move for the Noel Meade trained Busty Brown here and he has been backed into 9/1 favourite. The lightly raced Irish raider missed all of last season but made a nice comeback run at Leopardstown last time out when he was a close third to Sailors Warn. He is a former Grade 2 winner in Ireland so he has to be respected off a mark of 140. The Neil Mulholland trained Caroles Destrier is another to be considered after winning a competitive handicap at Kempton last time out. I have stuck with two each-way bets on Pateese who I had as a 20/1 chance in my book so I am more than happy to have a go at 40/1. The other is Riverside Theatre who could make a mockery of this mark if he is fit and on song. Pateese - 1 Point each-way @ 40/1 Coral - Also Get £20 Free Bet when you Bet £5! Riverside Theatre - 1 Point each-way @ 14/1 Bet Victor - Also Get a £100 Free Bet when you Register!