The Grand National meeting kicks off on Thursday with some top quality action. As always, there are plenty of Cheltenham winners on display and many more on a retrieval mission from last month’s festival.
The Aintree Hurdle should go the way of unlucky Champion Hurdle third The New One. I was never quite convinced by all the pre-race hype surrounding this horse at the festival as it was always in my mind that two miles is on the sharp side. His chances were dealt a hammer blow by the sad demise of Our Conor immediately in front of him and he ran on courageously to take third.
Rock On Ruby looked like a fish out of water over the larger obstacles and should enjoy being back over hurdles here. I expect him to give The New One most to do but neither is betting material.
We picked out Dynaste at 5-2 earlier in the week and he should give us a run for our money in the 6-runner Betfred Bowl. He has course and distance winning form, as does Silviniaco Conti, but the grey may just have too much speed on this track.
Our first bet on the card is for Activial in the opener. I backed him at non-runner – no bet terms for the Triumph Hurdle as it was always on the cards that Harry Fry would wait for this. He looked a smart hurdler at Kempton and I expect him to have improved enough to gain revenge on Newbury conqueror Calipto.
You have to respect Guitar Pete after another fine effort at Cheltenham and Aurore D’Estruval is another talented performer in a fascinating opener. The Triumph did not look the strongest this year and I expect Activial to come out on top.
The last race looks impossible at first glance but the Irish raider Busty Brown looks well weighted. The eight-year-old was not disgraced over a shorter trip behind Sailors Warn last time and has been placed in Grade 1 races in the past.
It is a tightly congested handicap with only 12lbs covering the entire field and Paul Carberry will have to be at his best to weave his way through 22 runners. Noel Meade doesn’t waste his time sending over horses that have no chance so I’m taking the early 12-1 and hoping for a good run. If the heavens open, have a saver on Kaylif Aramis at 14-1.
2.00 Activial at 4-1 Bet365
2.30 Dynaste at 5-2* Ante-post
5.25 Busty Brown at 12-1 Bet365
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
