13:45 “SSS SUPER ALLOYS MANIFESTO NOVICES’ CHASE” – HITMAN
Last seen winning on good ground in a three horse race at Newbury in early March ,winning by 91/2 lengths, effectively a warm up run.
Previously finished only 21/2 lengths behind grade one winning chaser Allmankind over the trip of two miles.
This two and a half mile trip, I feel, suits him better.
Market rival The Shunter won impressively at Cheltenham but horses that do the Cheltenham/Aintree double are rare and it was a demanding race.
Fusil Raffles although has developed efficient clean jumping, the galloping nature of Aintree plays to Hitman’s strengths.
The other two mentioned aren’t no hopers, but Hitman has an excellent chance in the opener.
14:20 “DOOMBAR ANNIVERSARY JUVENILE HURDLE”- ADAGIO
Finished an impressive 31/4 lengths 2nd in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham to Quilixios last time out in March.
Has never finished outside the top two over hurdles showing great consistency and always showing a strong challenge late on.
Market leader Monmiral did beat Gary Moore runner, Nassalam, by 71/2 lengths last time out at Haydock on a relatively level course on soft going.
Adagio only managed to beat Nassalam by 21/2 lengths at Chepstow in January but in the downhill straight must have made up 3 lengths just to get on terms late on.
Adagio has been through a stern acid test at Cheltenham but could go one better here.
14:50 “THE BETWAY BOWL CHASE” – CLONDAW CASTLE
This race is wide open and has so many storylines involved.
Tiger Roll is aiming for his third Aintree success in a row.
Former Gold Cup winner Native River is 11 years old and is gunning for possibly his last grade one for trainer Colin Tizzard before his retirement.
Henderson and Nicholls will be looking for grade one success after a quiet Cheltenham by their standards.
Clondaw Castle however is a horse on the rise after grade three success at Kempton in February, will relish good/good-soft going and looked much improved for stepping up to three miles last time out.
He also hasn’t finished outside the top two on good/good-soft in five starts going back to 2019 so could be in the picture.
15:25 “AINTREE HURDLE” – SILVER STREAK
Beat reigning Champion Hurdle winner, at the time, Epatante by 61/2 lengths in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton in December.
Epatante subsequently finished 3rd in the Champion Hurdle showing her quality remained.
excluding the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle in November where he was carried out by a loose horse, he hasn’t finished outside the top two on ground described as good or good-soft in ten starts.
That’s a run that goes back to 2017. Strong each way claims.
16:40 “CLOSE BROTHERS RED RUM HANDICAP CHASE” – SULLY D’OC AA
Last seen 7th by over 13 lengths behind The Shunter at Cheltenham last month.
Last victory came at Ascot in October, beating Editeur Du Gite by 43/4 lengths.
There he only carried 5lb less than he will in this race and the weight difference between the two has only changed by 1lb in this horse’s favour.
Editeur Du Gite subsequently won over two miles at Newbury in a class three handicap giving credibility to the form.
Sully D’oc Aa also only finished just over 2 lengths 3rd behind grade three winning chaser Clondaw Castle last November over two miles three furlongs.
He is coming back down in trip which could suit his turn of foot at the end of a race as will the good ground.
A few of his favoured market rivals prefer courses with sharper corners and Getaway Trump, although a very good horse, is carrying top weight, a big ask over these fences.
This horse should be in the picture, is a good each way option and has strong support in the market.
Hawkinsport 