SEVERAL LIVE IRISH CHANCES ON DAY ONE OF AINTREE: SHAMROCK picks out the best of the Irish challenge on the first day of the Grand National meeting at Aintree.
It doesn’t look quite as straightforward for the Irish raiders as it did on the opening day of Cheltenham this year but it would be surprising if there wasn’t at least one Irish trained winner on the opening day of Aintree.
2:00 Injured Jockeys Fund 50th Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo, Class 1, 2m 1f, 15 runners)
The Dessie Hughes trained Guitar Pete ran a cracker in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham finishing third to Tiger Roll – the favourite Calipto was fourth and given Paul Nicholls’ poor current form I would expect Guitar Pete to confirm that form. Guitar Pete looks an excellent place proposition at around 2.8 on BETDAQ.
2:30 Betfred Bowl Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+, Class 1, 3m 1f, 6 runners)
First Lieutenant can repeat his success of last year. He by-passed Cheltenham which could well prove an important factor against his main rivals Dynaste (winner of the Ryanair) and Silviniaco Conti (fourth in the Gold Cup). I’m not sure about Silviniaco Conti – he’s becoming a layers dream having fallen in the Gold Cup last year and seemingly failing to get home this year in fourth. Again, the form of Paul Nicholls is a negative.
3:05 Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo+, Class 1, 2m 4f, 7 runners)
Diakali (Willie Mullins) ran a screamer when fourth at 25/1 in the County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham – he does have form at Grade 1 level but this race really does look all about the favourite The New One.
3:40 Crabbie’s Supporting The Hillsborough Families Fox Hunters’ Chase (National Course) (6yo+, Class 2, 2m 5f 110y, 22 runners)
Our first taster of the National fences and a short price favourite for Ireland in Mossey Joe who comes here at the peak of his form and is onto a five timer. It’s not just the wins but it’s the style of them and he remains hugely exciting but at 2.8 over the National fences? Sheer madness of a price and I have to take him on.
4:15 Silver Cross Red Rum Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (5yo+, Class 1, 2m, 16 runners)
The Charles Byrnes trained Arnaud appeals win and place. He chased home Valdez in a Grade 2 at Doncaster last time and a reproduction of that effort should see him (and us) in the money).
No play from me in the final two races.
SHAMROCK’S BETS:
NAP: First Lieutenant (2.30 Aintree)
LAY: Mossey Joe (3.40 Aintree)
WIN AND PLACE: Arnaud (4.15 Aintree)
PLACE: Guitar Pete 2.00 Aintree)
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