2011 Maghull Novices Betting Tips

Obviously the bulk of punters are keeping their eyes firmly fixed on the betting markets for the upcoming Grand National at Aintree on Saturday but there are a pair of Grade 1 contests on the undercard that represent some substantial opportunities. 

 

We'll be taking a look at the Maghull Novices' Chase in this one and it appears to be coming down to a genuine dogfight between Finian's Rainbow and Paul Nicholls standout Ghizao. 

 

Both contenders lost out to Captain Chris on the opening day of this year's Cheltenham Festival in the Arkle Challenge Trophy though Finian's Rainbow was able to put in a decent effort to maintain his 156 OR. 

 

The Nicky Henderson charge captured the Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices' Chase at Warwick back in February. He also scored a victory in an ungraded contest over the respected Hell's Bay back on his seasonal debut - his first contest over fences. 

 

Barry Geraghty is back on the mount and the pair have combined to take three victories and the loss to Captain Chris being the sole blemish on the card this season. 

 

Ghizao only managed a fifth-placed finish in the Arkle but I didn't really think he was going to run that day anyway. He had beaten Captain Chris twice that year but did not cope well with running at 11-7 against a field of that calibre. He ran a tame eighth in an amateur riders race at Aintree last year - he will have learned from the experience but it's a bit of a different deal over proper fences. 

 

Either of these two can take the contest but you won't be looking at a blockbuster price on either. 

 

Starluck looks an interesting outsider and the six year-old will continue along with Tony McCoy in the irons. He took his first chase contest but blundered a bit last time out to finish third of four when sent off at 2/5. You have to ask yourself whether he lost the race for himself and whether he'll be able to jump back in at a higher level. 

 

Dan Breen also lined up in the Arkle but made little impression. He stormed back to win a novice chase at Uttoexeter just a week ago and David Pipe saw fit to drop him in here as well. He'll likely go off at a price but he'll need to run the race of his life to be a factor.