2010 GRAND NATIONAL AT AINTREE DAY TWO TIPS AND SELECTIONS

We had a decent strike rate on opening day at the Aintree Grand National with the main feather in the cap being What A Friend besting Imperial Commander to win one back for Sir Alex Ferguson after a disappointing day at Old Trafford. I think it’s going to be a very interesting day at Aintree and we’ve certainly seen that the longer-odds selections are not to be discounted.

The opening race of the day is the John Smith’s Top Novices Hurdle, a Grade 2 contest that sees is go 2m110y. The current betting favourite is the classy up-and-comer Menorah- who will have Richard Johnson aboard for the trip. He’s trading at around 6/4 and that’s more than justifiable as this quality gelding has never finished outside the top two lifetime and boasts a victory in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at this year’s Cheltenham Festival. You can’t ask for better form, but so the reference has been that a win at Cheltenham doesn’t mean a win at Aintree. Just ask Imperial Commander. Ruby Walsh boards Escort’Men- a Paul Nicholls 4 year-old that looks like he’s just found form. He’s 3/1 and that’s a bit short for me in this field. I really like the looks of Rebecca Curtis’ Captive Audience- a very lightly-raced 7 year-old that is looking for his third win on the bounce. He’s been sent off at nearly even-money in both of those victories and wasn’t challenged on the way home in either so I don’t think the extra 110 yards is going to bother him. I am all over that 40/1 and he’s a good shout on the each-way.
In the Matalan.co.uk Mildmay Novices Chase, we’ve got Barry Geraghty and Burton Port dominating the market with a 9/4 price. The gelding has had a supremely solid season for Nicky Henderson with form of 121112 with the last race being a solid effort against Weapon’s Amnesty in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham. He’s a justifiable favourite here against a field that hasn’t really run at his level, save for Knockara Beau who can be backed at a 9/2 price. Ruby Walsh saddles Take the Breeze, but I don’t really find him too inspiring here. I will likely side with the favourite as he’s bounced back well after losing previous races.
In the 2010 Melling Chase we have the clear feature of the day set to kick off at 3:10. This exciting Grade 1 contest goes 2m4f and you’ve got a field so wide open, the favourite trades at 7/2. I would say that half the horses in this one could easily win it, but I’m immediately drawn to Alberta’s Run and his quality price of 7/1. Jonjo O’Neill’s charge was a surprise 14/1 winner over Poquelin in the Ryanair Chase. He’s run against some good opposition and boasts a bit more experience than his opponents here. Decent shout on the win-only. Kalahari King was bested by Big Zeb in the Queen Mothers Champion Chase and he’s somehow considered the betting favourite here. I think Forpadydeplasterer has his number and is a much better shout at 9/1 than Kalahari King’s 7/2 price. I think Forpady is a nice selection here and will be in the reckoning. Ruby Walsh and Paul Nicholls team up with Poquelin, who has run 1212 this season, and you get the feeling that something may be brewing there. I think 5/1 is a bit short and I’m tempted to go elsewhere. Race of the day, likely.
In the John Smith’s Topham Chase, we have listed company going 2m5f and this is a massive 29-strong field. The Punters seem to be favouring Ruby Walsh and Paul Nicholls again with the talented 7 year-old Pasco. You’ll find him at 8/1 and he’s certainly capable of this one, but I have a feeling this race is one for the longer-odds selections. Silver Adonis at 40/1 is as good a shot as any.
Some real form set to do battle in the John Smith’s Sefton Novices Hurdle where we’re seeing tough competition between The Minack (11/2), Western Leader (11/2) and Voramar Two (13/2) for the favourite’s position. Jonjo O’Neill and Tony McCoy are saddling hopeful Start and I actually think he’s going to be a force to be reckoned with here. He’s taken two on the bounce in handicap company and has been able to pull off some very tricky moves to win his past two races. This is a quirky horse that could be poised for a very big day.  I am all over the 16/1 price.
In the final two races of the day that aren’t being televised, I really do think that they’re anyone’s guess but I’ll be siding with Ursis at 40/1 in the Smiththehorse.com Handicap Hurdle which should be a tough 3m110y slog. Try David Pipe’s Buena Vista if you’re looking for a more reasonable price at 10/1. The John Smith’s Mares Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race is another up-in-the-air sort of race, but the puntes are favouring Araucaria who is trading at 3/1. Dare to Doubt looks for three wins in a row, but I’ll be siding with Tony McCoy on top of Mizzurka who has some good performances this year and is listed at 7/1.