TODAY’S TIPS
FOOTBALL TIPS
TENNIS TIPS
FREE BETS
ITV Racing Aintree Preview Friday
GRAND NATIONAL FESTIVAL CONTINUES FROM AINTREE! ITV Racing live again on Friday and we have previews available for every single race on the card.
Make sure you scroll right down to the bottom to see any multiples we are placing. These can be added direct to your bet365 bet slip.
ITV Racing Aintree Preview Friday Schedule
2.20 Aintree Betway Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m1/2f
2.50 Aintree Betway Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 3m1f
3.25 Aintree Marsh Chase (Melling Chase) (Grade 1) 2m4f
4.05 Aintree Randox Topham Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 2m5f
4.40 Aintree Doom Bar Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m1/2f
ITV Racing 4/1 Offer
Back a winner at 4/1 or more and get a risk free bet on the next live ITV race (up to £50) at bet365. Offer applies to first single bet placed.
Applies to Win and Each-Way Fixed Odds markets and Enhanced Place Terms markets only. Bet restrictions and T&Cs apply. New and eligible customers only.
Aintree 1.45 Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m4f
It doesn’t get much more competitive than this opener so it won’t surprise you that we’ve taken two against the field. EDWARDSTONE ran a cracker when third to Soaring Glory in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury and he matched that form when fifth to Belfast Banter in the County at Cheltenham last month. He steps up in trip now and on breeding he should stay so I think he’s going to go close. He is a strong travelling sort who will be suited by a good pace on good ground and he won his only start at this track as a novice.
With so many runners I’ve also backed AMARILLO SKY for Colin Tizzard. He impressed making all the running at Exeter last month and given how unexposed he is there could be a lot more to come. He will obviously need to improve to get involved but there’s good reason to think he will and he is a fascinating contender with a mark of 128 potentially lenient. Mister Coffey, Monte Cristo and Wilde About Oscar completed the shortlist but in truth it’s hard to put you off quite a few of these.
Aintree 2.20 Betway Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m1/2f
This is a really interesting race that revolves around the favourite Dusart. He has only run once and that form has worked out really well but I am happy to take him on with a more experienced horse rather than back the favourite who is priced up on reputation over solid form. ANY NEWS looks a big price based on his form most likely because he unseated last time out behind the classy My Drogo. His form at Cheltenham in December is usually a good pointer for this race and I think he will have more to come. This track will suit and I can’t see him out of the frame.
Third Time Lucki was well fancied at Cheltenham and is much better off than his conquerer that day Belfast Banter who reopposes. He and the favourite are the obvious dangers but 14/1 looks a big price on the selection against those two. Ajero also has to be respected given the winning run he’s on but this is definitely harder.
Aintree 2.50 Betway Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 3m1f
Espoir De Romay really impressed me last time and I can see him running well here at a price but I can’t get away from CHANTRY HOUSE for Nicky Henderson. This horse has the best form on offer having won the Marsh at Cheltenham last month. He stayed on well in the closing stages and the step up in trip here could see him improve again. If he does he will win this and likely be considered as a Gold Cup hope for next year.
Fiddlerontheroof ran a cracker when second to Monkfish and seemingly doesn’t know how to run a bad race. He should give his running again but it wouldn’t surprise me to see The Big Breakaway reverse that form on a flatter track. Of the rest Shan Blue should fare better if given a more conservative ride as he was never lasting home given how aggressively he was ridden last time.
Aintree 3.25 Marsh Chase (Registered As The Melling Chase) (Grade 1) 2m4f
This looks a cracking renewal with 5 of these rated 160-168 and as a result it is hard to be really confident but FAKIR D’OUDAIRIES looks solid enough. We fancied him at Fairyhouse on Monday and he was taken out in favour of this race and as long as the ground isn’t too quick he should run well. The run behind Allaho at Cheltenham looks some of the best form around and he did well to get within 12 lengths of him given the rest couldn’t land a glove. This race looks to have so much pace on he will be held up again and will have a big chance late on.
Politolgue at this trip on this ground isn’t for me but I can see why others fancy him as his record with 70+ days off is impressive. I think Master Tommytucker will be the main danger in these conditions and Nuts Well could run a big race at a nice price also to make up the top three.
Aintree 4.05 Randox Topham Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 2m5f
A fiercely competitive renewal for the Topham as you’d imagine and I’ve sided with two against the field. MORNING VICAR could really be suited by this unique test and while I expected him to do better in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last month I don’t think he stayed the trip so back down to 2m5f should suit and I still think he has scope off a mark of 133 given he has won over fences off 129. I can see him getting into a good rhythm under James Bowen and we know the talent is there if he channels it in the right direction.
My second play in the race is IBLEO for Venetia Williams. This horse has been a real improver over fences and beat a good yardstick in The Big Bite at Doncaster. He was an excellent third in the Grand Annual behind Sky Pirate last month just finding the trip on the sharp side so he is likely still on the upgrade. I think he’s overpriced as he is a horse still with considerable potential. Livelovelaugh is a worthy fav given how well he took to these fences in the Grand National 2 years ago. He is definitely respected as one of the main dangers. Caribean Boy is a good jumper who should relish this test too and also makes up the shortlist. Others dangers would include Visioman and Huntsman Son with the latter having attracted good support.
Aintree 4.40 Doom Bar Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m1/2f
This looks a good opportunity for NOTEBOOK to get back on track. He was by no means disgraced when third to Bob Olinger at Cheltenham last month and prior to that he had looked thoroughly progressive. He thrashed Star Gate by 10 lengths in the Challow and even has form that ties in with subsequent Betfair Hurdle winner Soaring Glory. He remains open to improvement and with the step up to 3 miles likely to suit he should have these covered. It will be interesting to see where the pace comes from but I don’t expect him to be far away.
Cape Gentleman is unexposed and has to be feared given he is 2 from 3 but he will find this tougher. Gallyhill brings raw potential to the table but my gut feeling is he will be better for the experience. He looks a talented sort but did look clueless albeit bumping into another nice horse in Midnight River last time.
Aintree 5.15 Pinsent Masons Handicap Hurdle (Conditional Jockeys’ and Amateur Riders’ Race) 2m1/2f
I think it’s best to tread carefully in the lucky last so I’ve gone with two against the field at each way prices. TOMORROW MYSTERY has been progressing nicely and while that latest win in a Kempton jumpers bumper probably isn’t worth much her previous win at Newbury was a real likeable effort and she has to be a likely danger to all here. She’s had a wind op and is bred to keep improving so could still be under the radar off a mark of 137.
I’ve gone with one at a big price for my second selection. GOOBINATOR won at Ayr in October and was in the process of running a big race before taking a tumble at Musselburgh in January. He shaped well when third in a jumpers bumper at Newcastle in February so shouldn’t lack fitness here. Theo Gillard claims a handy 5lb and I just thought he was a bit too big in the market at 28/1. Copperless impressed me at Taunton last time but a 6lb rise and her price was enough to put me off. I think she’s the one to beat though. Camprond and Leoncavallo are also entitled to plenty of respect in a wide open race to conclude Day 2.
ITV Racing Each Way Double
With 5 races live on ITV Racing again on Friday afternoon we have picked out two horses at decent odds we can see running well. If both place we should still make some nice profit so they’re worth including.
ITV Racing Each Way Trixie
We also have an Each Way Trixie on Friday afternoon. These are three horses we fancy strongly running live on ITV Racing. If 2/3 win we should still get a nice return.
ITV Racing Each Way Trixie
Aintree 2.50 Chantry House
Aintree 3.25 Fakir D’Oudairies
Aintree 4.40 NOTEBOOK
Pays 30/1!
