Aintree Festival Friday Preview and Tips – DS
Aintree Festival Friday Tips
I think it’s safe to say that waiting to see what the weather did made no difference. Day 1 was almost a write off with just one place to show for our efforts. Impulsive One finished 4th and that’s where Glory And Fortune finished too. Neither horse was good enough. Michael’s Pick was out for a day out and Nuts Well didn’t stay the trip. Dancing On My Own ran a cracker in 2nd, landing place money at 28/1. Hopefully we can do better on Day 2. Check out our Aintree Festival Friday tips below.
2.20 – Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Donald McCain has had a resurgent season and A Different Kind could go well for him here. This 5yo son of Doyen lost his unbeaten record under rules last time in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham (20f gd). However, that was a bit of a messy race and he was only beat 5.5L by North Lodge (who he was giving 3lbs to). North Lodge was beat a head in another G2 subsequently so it looks decent form.
A Different Kind also beat a horse called Green Book on his second start over hurdles at Haydock (15.5f hvy). He was conceding 5lbs to the Williams horse and he subsequently won a G3 handicap at Sandown off a mark of 130. After his run at Cheltenham in January, I’d imagine McCain decided to swerve the festival in March and come here instead.
Obviously, Jonbon is the one they all have to beat here. He proved no match for Constitution Hill but he was best of the rest in the Supreme. First Street also ran well at Cheltenham and he is actually rated 147, the same as Jonbon. However, A Different Kind will be well suited by a flat track like Aintree and he has more improvement to come. McCain has earned more prize money at Aintree than at any other track and at odds of 33/1, hopefully A Different Kind adds to that haul on Friday.
Aintree Festival Friday Tips: A Different Kind e/w @ 33/1
2.55 – Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
Only four runners in this so it makes no appeal as a betting heat. However, it is a cracking contest with four seriously talented horses. For me, L’Homme Presse is the best up and coming chaser around. He extended his winning sequence at Cheltenham at the expense of Ahoy Senor and it is hard to see the Northern raider turning that form around. Bravemansgame will be fresher, as will Fury Road, and their connections will be hoping that Cheltenham left a mark on L’Homme Presse. If it hasn’t, he should win and win well.
Aintree Festival Friday Tips: No Bet
3.30 – Marsh Chase (Grade 1)
Ten will go to post for this 20f Grade 1 Chase and Fakir D’oudairies is the favourite. He swerved the festival in March and he was last sighted beating Two For Gold at Ascot (21f sft). He landed this race last season but this looks a deeper renewal. The ground and track will suit though and he has obvious claims for Mark Walsh and baby Joseph.
However, my selection for this race is Hitman. This is a horse we backed at Sandown earlier this season. He ran a cracker behind Greaneteen and his close 2nd to Eldorado Allen previously looks alright too. Paul Nicholls’ charge could only manage 3rd behind Funambule Sivola at Newbury last time out but I think the return to Aintree could help him turn that form around.
Last season this fella ran a blinder at this meeting behind Protektorat. He was only 4L behind the Skelton horse and he ran a creditable race when placed in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He wasn’t as good here on Thursday but he was likely feeling the effects of that tough run last month. Going back up to the trip of his last victory is a plus for Hitman and Bryony Frost rode that day too. This has probably been his long term target and at 11/1, he is the each way pick.
Aintree Festival Friday Tips: Hitman e/w @ 12/1 nb
4.05 – Topham Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
This race will whet the appetite for what is to come on Saturday. 30 runners over the National fences and a trip of 21f. The one I like off a mark of 135 is the Peter Bowen trained Francky Du Berlais. We backed this fella earlier this season when he ran in the Grand Sefton. His stablemate won that race and in hindsight, this fella was likely out to get some experience of the National fences.
He took to the test pretty well and he managed to complete and finish in 8th. Since then he has had a couple of spins at Cheltenham and Chepstow within two weeks of each other and the handicapper has now dropped him to a mark of 135. That is 2lbs lower than he was when absolutely hacking up in a handicap chase at Market Rasen last July.
This will be his first run for 101 days but that is no worry. He has won when fresh before and I’d imagine Bowen will have him ready fitness wise. Sean Bowen is on Mac Tottie and as James is unable to do 10 stone, Brendan Powell will take the ride. The more the ground dries out, the better this fella’s chance will be and at odds of 28/1, he is the each way pick.
Aintree Festival Friday Tips: Francky Du Berlais e/w @ 28/1 NAP (7 Places Hills)
4.40 – Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
The final live race of the day on ITV is this 24.5f Grade 1 for the Novices. A big field of 14 will go to post and Irish raider Banbridge is the favourite. He was last sighted scoring in the Martin Pipe off a mark of 137. It was a good performance but good enough to win a Grade 1? I am not too sure. He is top rated on the back of his Cheltenham win though and if the handicapper is correct, he should win.
I think he could be worth taking on though and at odds of 25/1, maybe Bold Endeavour can give Laura Morgan something to shout about. This 6yo son of Fame And Glory cost £190k at the sales in 2020. That was after he absolutely hacked up in a Necarne P2P by 11 lengths. He made no mistake on his rules debut, winning a Sedgefield bumper easily by 10L (17f gd).
Maiden and novice hurdle wins followed at Sedgefield (20f gd) and Wetherby (19f sft). Connections then stepped into G2 company at Kelso (18f sft) and he ran creditably to nick 3rd. I think the step up to this sort of trip is what this fella needs. His sire is a big stamina influence and his dam is a half to a 26f winner. This race has always been the plan and at odds of 25/1, Bold Endeavour is the e/w selection.
