Aintree Weekend Tips: @RoadCheltenham Picks Out 5 To Follow
Declarations are in for two glorious days of racing at Aintree and I for one cannot wait for Friday’s action to get underway. Wincanton’s loss is very much the Merseyside course’s gain and it should be a stellar weekend of racing.
Racegoers are in for a real treat, with competitive racing across both days and I’ll do my best to steer you in the direction of a winner or two – but also looking ahead to potential future targets down the line. Without further ado, it’s time to get stuck into the action and we kick things off with an exciting novice chase prospect for Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore.
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Friday, 1.15pm – STRIDE ON
It’s hard to know what to expect from a horse on chase debut but Stride On could be well handicapped and I like how connections have gone straight for a novice handicap chase with him. This Walk In The Park gelding finished behind the well-touted Apache Tribe, now with Gordon Elliott, in April and he should relish stepping up in trip.
He’s clearly held in high regard and I wonder if he could be one for the Ultima Handicap Chase come March. The stable have Derryhassen Paddy but aren’t averse to running more than one in the race and I’m really intrigued to see how Stride On fares on Friday afternoon. Hopefully there will be plenty of positives to take from the run.
Friday, 3.35pm – HERE COMES GEORGIE
Dan Skelton hinted at the Coral Gold Cup as a potential target for Here Comes Georgie after his success at Cheltenham’s Showcase Meeting but he may need to win here to stand any chance of getting into the Newbury race. Currently priced as the 5/2 favourite on Friday, Harry Skelton will look to play his mount late in the day.
He’s gone up 7lbs for that success but he idled out in front and is perhaps worth more than that increase. There are plenty of exposed types in the field but many go well fresh and the likes of Leave Of Absence, Konfusion and Montregard are obvious threats. But going forward, the Skelton horse is the one with the most upside.
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Saturday, 1.15pm – KADASTRAL
Well supported in ante post markets ahead of this weekend’s race, Kadastral looks to be ahead of his mark and I’m hoping he can prove too strong for his rivals here. Potentially one for a Grand Annual or a Red Rum in the spring, his trainer holds him in high regard but has also stressed how important good ground is for him.
He’s gone a little short for Saturday’s race but I’ll be watching with a view to the spring and he’ll gain valuable Aintree experience this weekend. It looks a big weekend for the Alcester yard on paper and Kadastral will be one of their top hopes for Saturday as they look to add to their tally of winners for the season.
Saturday, 1.45pm – MANGE TOUT
I’m really looking forward to seeing Mange Tout again – I was at Aintree for her success in April and she could develop into a classy filly in open company. She has a bit to do at the weights but she likes the track and she’s got a real blend of stamina and speed, and she should give a decent account of herself.
She’s a fascinating runner in this race and credit to connections for bringing her over at this stage of the season. Interestingly, she has a BHA rating of 138 – which is the same as her mark in Ireland – heading into Saturday’s race but she won a Grade 1 as a juvenile and I’d imagine she will likely be campaigned at that level unless she’s not up to it.
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Saturday, 2.25pm – TALK TO THE MAN
Talk To The Man looked like an absolute weapon on chase debut at Worcester and he looks to have improved considerably for a fence. He’s a huge prospect and I’d be shocked if he wasn’t competing at Grade 1 level in the spring. He might not be one for Cheltenham but he is certainly capable of going to Aintree.
Talk To The Man faces former stablemate No Drama This End on Saturday afternoon and Paul Nicholls would love to get the better of the Skelton runner. We’re yet to see the Ditcheat star over fences though and I’m siding with the experience of Talk To The Man over the potential of No Drama This End. It should be a fantastic race to watch.