13:45 – Super Alloys Manifesto Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) – Gin On Lime
The Henry De Bromhead trained Irish raider was last seen in a memorable novices’ chase at Cheltenham in November. Gin On Lime was head to head with winner up to grade one over hurdles, My Drogo, when both effectively fell, clearing the fence but losing their footing on landing. This horse sprawled on landing and Rachael Blackmore sat brilliantly to stay on claiming victory. My Drogo still provided a good standard acid test and this horse was on terms before the incident. Otherwise, this horse has quite a prolific record with five wins from eight starts over fences, including a grade three. In that grade three she reversed form ahead of another winner at graded level, Fan De Blues, and beat the Mullins trained runner by 12 lengths. The absence of undulations at Aintree will lower the chances of another error like we saw at Cheltenham. Opponents include grade two winning Pic D’orhy who has two successes this term. It is arguable that My Drogo’s form over hurdles poses more quality than any horses in Pic D’orhy’s form. War Lord is also an interesting runner, but lacks grade-winning form, with his best effort 16 lengths 2nd to eventual Arkle winner Edwardstone.
14:20 – Jewson Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) – Pied Piper
The Triumph Hurdle third and impressive juvenile Pied Piper is the heavy favourite here. he only finished 21/2 lengths behind the eventual winner Vauban, which is impressive in itself. However, he also won his maiden hurdle ahead of the Triumph Hurdle winner and had an impressive display at Cheltenham in January, which showed us that this horse can produce something special. The Triumph Hurdle form will surely prove better than the form Boodles Hurdle winner Brazil holds. This horse also has form ahead one of the more dangerous challengers this field has to offer in Knight Salute, who is a multiple winner at graded level this term.
Each-way mention – Knight Salute
Despite running a disappointing 9th at Cheltenham, that was the first blemish on the record of this horse in six starts over hurdles. Given the class of the race it is nothing to be ashamed of and as mentioned before this horse has won multiple graded events this term. Available at 16/1 this is extremely generous considering what this horse has achieved. What runs well at Cheltenham doesn’t necessarily repeat at Aintree, due to only a month separating the two and the differing nature of the courses. Considering this horse didn’t perform last month in a tough race, he could put in a good bid for a place here.
14:55 – Betway Bowl Chase (Grade 1) – Royale Pagaille
This year’s Gold Cup 5th won the grade two Peter Marsh Handicap Chase at Haydock in January, but that has been his only success this term. He has ran bravely in defeat, twice behind Gold Cup winning A Plus Tard and he couldn’t reach a vastly improved Eldorado Allen in the Denman Chase in February. Here he will get favoured soft conditions on a flat course with big jumps, perhaps recreating the conditions he often thrives in at Haydock. He will face tough competition in Dan Skelton’s runner and Gold Cup 3rd Protektorat who could definitely come out on top here. He picked up the grade two Many Clouds Chase at Aintree in December where conditions were very soft. However, although a class field, the likes of Native River and Tiger Roll were arguably slightly past their best. Royale Pagaille only finished about a neck behind this horse in the Gold Cup, with conditions that suit Royale Pagaille could have a good chance here.
15:30 – Betway Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) – Epatante
This year’s Champion Hurdle runner-up kept on well behind Honeysuckle last month, only losing by just over 3 lengths. The 2020 Champion Hurdle winner will step up to a trip of 21/2 miles for the first time here and has looked to be near her best form this season. She showed class to fight for a dead-heat in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle last November in tough conditions, and claimed the grade one Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. Her trainer Nicky Henderson said in the build-up to Cheltenham that she was back to her best and her hurdling has been slick, which showed in the result. The likes of Zanahiyr ,who finished a length 3rd behind this horse in the Champion Hurdle, and winner up to grade two Brewin’upastorm appear her biggest threats. However, in terms of graded results this horse is probably the most consistent performer in the field and has looked sharp so will take some beating.
16:05 – Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase – Latenightpass
Latenightpass came 2nd in this race last season to shock 66/1 winner Cousin Pascal. He has won this term on heavy ground at Haydock, but was last seen pulled up at Cheltenham. Tom Ellis decided to skip Cheltenham in order to target this race after a season of point-to-point contests which has seen this horse win two and fall when two at in the other at Alnwick. Ellis has been happy with preparation despite that fall and the horse has had a wind op, leaving the horse in prime condition for his main target of the season.
16:40 – Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Grade 3) – Frero Banbou
Venitia Williams’ charge finished 3rd in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham last month, 6 lengths behind the eventual winner Global Citizen who runs here. Frero Banbou was delivered very late after initially struggling with the early pace. The winner carried 5lbs less than Frero Banbou, but here will be 1lb worse off than this horse and carry 10lbs more than he did in last month’s success. He finished a respectable 4th in this race last season but reversed form with the winner Editeur Du Gite last month. He is likely to be delivered from off the pace again, with some rain forecast this should be a test of stamina and it is plausible these tactics will work here. Recent form and adjustments in the handicap see this horse in with a decent chance of making a big improvement here for an in form yard.
17:15 – Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race (Grade 2) – Lady Excalibur
Rachael Blackmore takes the ride on this small and gutsy mare in her 4th contest. She boasts two wins, with one at Aintree, and a brave effort at Uttoxeter in October that saw her finishing the quickest with the line coming too soon. She made her way around most of her rivals, having to come very wide and lost by less than a length, an unlucky finish. Her trainer Alan Jones said that the race didn’t suit her staying ability and turned into a sprint at the end but said his mare was unlucky to have lost her unbeaten tag. He is hopeful Blackmore in the saddle will benefit his mare and it would be a feel good success for a stable that only has 12 horses in training.
Hawkinsport 