Racing Chat - Friday 4th April

[The Brigadier]

Here's my thoughts on day two of the Grand National meeting which should be run on drying good to soft ground.

1.45

The drying ground may not be in Handstands favour with the same to be said about Stellar Story and I think this is a race to leave alone.

2.20

A 22 runner 2m 4f handicap hurdle in which the Nicky Henderson trained IMPOSE TOI appeals each way. He was having only his second run of the season when runner up in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham 23 days ago and despite a 4lb rise in the weights has plenty in his favour including the ground and looks sure to run a big race.

1 point each way @ 7/1 Bet365 (6 places)

2.55

The favourite ROMEO COOLIO will take some beating here having had one of his rivals Salvator Mundi 11 1/4L behind at Cheltenham. Gordon Elliot's six-year-old ran a credible third to the winner Kopek Des Bordes that day and that form (and his previous Grade 1 victory at Leopardstown over Christmas) should be good enough to take this.

1 point win @ 5/4 William Hill

3.30

Only four have declared for this 2M 4F Melling Chase and with El Fabiolo looking a former shade of the horse he once was (and even then he couldn't beat Jonbon) this looks destined to go to the Seven Barrows stable of Nicky Henderson. He's a skinny price now so let's just watch him make it four from four at the Merseyside track.

4.05

A bumper field of thirty line up for this year's Topham Chase in which you will need plenty of luck. Last year's runner up James Du Berlais is on my short list but watching the race back earlier I was surprised to see how well Henry De Bromhead's SHANTREUSSE was going in the race when blundering badly at the fifth last. Amazingly he ran on to finish 7th, beaten 20L and at his likely odds is worth chancing each way with extra places in a wide open renewal.

1 point each way @ 16/1 Skybet (7 places)

4.40

A competitive renewal of the 3M Sefton Novices Hurdle in which several have good chances. I like Gordon Elliott's mare FAMILIAR DREAMS who was a four time bumper winner last season for Anthony McCann before joining Elliot to go hurdling. She's won two of her three starts over timber including last time out in Grade 3 company at Limerick and should appreciate stepping up in trip. As the highest rated horse in the field she looks value. 

1 point each way @ 10/1 Bet365 (4 places)

5.15

The day finishes with another open handicap in the shape of the 22 runner 2M handicap hurdle for conditional jockeys and amateur riders.

Plenty with chances but Sam Thomas's CELTIC DINO looks to hold a decent each way chance. Ridden by the useful conditional Dylan Johnston he is making his handicap debut and has already won twice on good ground so conditions should suit.

1 point each way @ 7/1 Bet365 (5 places)

[black rabbit]

Fame And Fortune                                    2 20Ain                     1/40th of a pt ew            33/1  { punted  A/P   days ago}          -3rd

G A Law                                                      4 05Ain                      1/40th of a pt ew            33/1

Hamsiyann                                                 5 15An                      1/40th of a pt ew            20/1

Don't Rightly Know                                   1 45An                       1/40th of a pt ew             25/1

Grandeur D'ame                                       4 04An                       1/40th of a pt ew             25/1

Outrace                                                      4 50Bt                         1/40th of a pt ew            14/1

 

 

P/L  +186.25 pt               

Edited April 4 by black rabbit