Aintree Festival Day 2 - Race Previews & Our Picks
- Will Sprigg
- Apr 3
- 4 min read
After an amazing day 1 of action we head into day 2 with the Topham Chase over the Grand National is the headline of the day.
The Aintree hurdle was the big race on day 1 where Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth clashed. The race went as expected but as they turned for home Nico de Boinville got his mount boxed in on the home turn, switching him out to challenge and Constitution Hill fell again! Lossiemouth battled the hardy Wodhooh to win by 2 lengths.
Willie Mullins spectacularly won all 4 Grade 1s on day 1 with Impaire Et Passe, Murcia, Gaelic Warrior and Lossiemouth. In other news Harry Skelton is £500,000 richer after he secured the David Power Jockey's Cup with a 4th place on Boombawn.
13:45 Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1)
Chase Turf Grade 1 Novice Class 1
Runners 8
Distance 3 miles 1 furlong
Going Good to soft
1st place £67,524
Our selections for the race
Win Handstands (9/4)
Ground shouldn't be a problem he seems versatile enough. 2 wins from 2 over 3 miles (including his point to point) was very game to win the Scilly Isles Grade 1 at Sandown beating subsequent Arkle winner Jango Baie. His chase record is 3 wins from 4 runs, is the form horse to beat here and could still be progressive.
Each-way The Changing Man (10/1)
Only 1 win from 11 chase starts. Won the Grade 2 Reynoldstown at Ascot. He has run very consistent in top level handicaps this season. 2nd at the Cheltenham Festival most recently (3m1f, good to soft) Will most likely give his running but could find 1 or 2 too good.
14:20 William Hill Handicap Hurdle
Hurdle Turf Grade 3 Handicap Class 1
Runners 22
Distance 2 miles 4 furlongs
Going Good to soft
1st place £42,203
Our selections for the race
Win Wade Out (15/2)
Defied a huge penalty at Wetherby in a novice contest (2m3f) Hurdles record now stands at 3 wins from 5 starts and overall strike-rate to 5 wins from 7. Very intriguing on Handicap debut and progress is very much on the cards.
Each-way Steel Ally (14/1)
Had very good handicap form in the Autumn and ran creditably in Grade 2 company at Fontwell (2m3f) raised only 2lbs for that effort and remains unexposed at anything over 2 miles and is in the mix here.
14:55 TrustATrader Top Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)
Hurdle Turf Grade 1 Novice Class 1
Runners 10
Distance 2 miles and 1/2 furlong
Going Good to soft
1st place £56,270
Our selections for the race
Win Romeo Coolio (11/8)
Huge win the Grade 1 in Future Champions at Leopardstown (2m, Yielding) in December. Only beaten 7 lengths by Kopeck Des Bordes at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) last month. Has the leading form claims here if Cheltenham does not come to soon. Could improve further.
Each-way Diva Luna (10/1)
Ran and won the Mares' Bumper here 12 months ago (2m1f, soft) has really stepped forward with each run over hurdles this season. Finished a much improved 3rd in the mares' novice at Cheltenham (2m1f, good to soft) unraced on good ground. Should be thereabouts.
15:30 My Pension Expert Melling Chase (Grade 1)
Chase Turf Grade 1 Class 1
Runners 4
Distance 2 miles 4 furlongs
Going Good to soft
1st place £140,325
Our selections for the race
Win Protektorat (6/1)
Has won Grade 1 and Grade 2 at this venue and ran a good 3rd to Jonbon in this 12 months ago but on soft ground. 10 years old now but looks to retain all his ability when bolting up at Windsor (2m6f,soft) has not ran great his last 3 runs but this race could set up lovely for him but the faster ground could be an issue.
16:05 Randox Supporting Prostate Cancer UK Topham Handicap Chase
Chase Turf Grade 3 Handicap Class 1
Runners 30
Distance 2 miles 5 furlongs
Going Good to soft
1st place £84,195
Our selections for the race
Win Bad (10/1)
Ex-French 6 year old but was very hard work when moving to Britain but has recently had blinkers applied and been very good since. Racked up a Kempton double since the blinkers and came very clear of a course specialist last time and a 6lb higher here and that should not stop him and if he takes to the fences he should be bang there.
Each-way Excello (12/1)
Another 6 year old who reverted to chasing last month and came 4th by only 1 length at Sandown (3m,good) Nicky Henderson has won this 5 times cheekpieces go on and he sneaks in here as bottom weight of 10st 2lb. Each-way chance
16:40 Oddschecker Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)
Hurdle Turf Grade 1 Novice Class 1
Runners 15
Distance 3 mile and 1/2 furlong
Going Good to soft
1st place £56,270
Our selections for the race
Win Mister Meggit (7/2)
Unexposed 7 year old who won 2 bumpers in fine style on heavy ground last season but his Aintree Hurdle win was mightily impressive (2m4f, good) on hurdle debut in November. Has not been seen since but the step up in trip could bring out more improvement and he now has a tongue tie fitted.
Each-way Moon Rocket (12/1)
2 hurdle wins and very good 2nd in Grade 2s on last 2 outings over 3 miles. not ran on any ground better than good to soft, new cheekpieces could boost him and he could improve more.
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