Horse racing tips: Grand National Festival – Templegate’s top picks for day one of Aintree and the rest of Thursday’s racing
The Grand National Festival comes under the spotlight as Templegate gives you his best bets for a thrilling day of racing
AINTREE
1.45
PLAY the Name game for the Big Bucks’ Manifesto Novices’ Chase.
There’s an unusually large four-week gap between Cheltenham and Aintree this year but it won’t have done CYRNAME any harm to have swerved the Festival.
He bolted up in the Wayward Lad Chase at Kempton over Christmas and bettered that effort when a neck runner-up behind Terrefort in the Scilly Isles at Sandown.
That was his first race at 2m4f over fences and it was great to see him coming back for more after making the running. Considering Terrefort went on to finish second in the JLT at Cheltenham the form stacks up nicely.
Brain Power was runner-up behind easy Arkle winner Footpad at Cheltenham but that doesn’t tell the whole story.
There was only five runners and Petit Mouchoir and Saint Calvados went off stupidly fast. That set things up nicely for patiently-ridden Brain Power but he still couldn’t get close to Footpad.
His two previous starts when he failed to complete the course prompted trainer Nicky Henderson to send him for a breathing operation to try to unlock his obvious potential.
I’d be surprised if the step up to 2m4f on soft ground is the answer.
Finian’s Oscar won the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at this meeting last year but he’s been more miss than hit since switching to fences.
He was another to have a wind op ahead of the Festival but it didn’t seem to have much effect as he trailed in well beaten in the JLT Chase. It’s hard to be confident about his chances.
Modus finished even further back when beating just one home in the JLT so Rene’s Girl might be able to make it into the frame.
She won nicely at Huntingdon and likes soft ground. Whether she’s up to this level is another matter.
2.20
THERE’S a Dream bet for the Doom Bar Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle.
WE HAVE A DREAM was off colour so had to miss the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.
That has to be a positive now he’s had nearly four weeks to recover from that blip and he looked good when rattling up a four-timer after arriving from France.
Nicky Henderson’s youngster was too good for Act Of Valour on soft ground at Musselburgh and that wouldn’t be the worst form around.
Stablemate Apple’s Shakira has a hood on for the first time after disappointing when hot favourite for the Triumph. She pulled too hard and was beaten before the last at Cheltenham.
The form of her earlier hat-trick of wins was nothing special but there was no knocking the manner of victories. She does have a little to prove now.
Malaya was runner-up to another Triumph Hurdle flop in Redicean at Kempton. She looked good in an Ascot handicap last month but needs to step up again.
French raider Beau Gosse was only third at Kempton that day but the softer ground does open up the possibility for improvement.
Nube Negra has to be considered on his third behind Veneer Of Charm in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham. He had previously been brushed aside by Apple’s Shakira in January and that leaves him with plenty to do on a strict line through that form.
Templegate's tips for Aintree
1.45 Aintree - Cyrname: 'Can benefit from missing the Festival and his form is solid'
2.20 Aintree - We Have A Dream: 'Looked good when rattling up a four-timer'
2.50 Aintree - Might Bite: 'If he's recovered from his Gold Cup second he will win'
3.25 Aintree - Supasundae: 'I've no doubt he sets the standard'
4.05 Aintree - Grand Vision: 'Testing ground isn't a worry and he's a brilliant jumper'
4.40 Aintree - Bentelimar: 'Run some really good races since joining Charlie Longsdon'
5.15 Aintree - Posh Trish: 'She can make her experience count today'
2.50
MIGHT BITE should get his teeth into the Betway Bowl.
The King George hero came off second best in an epic Gold Cup duel with Native River at Cheltenham.
If the ground had not been so testing there’s a fair chance he would have been successful and today’s shorter trip is certainly in his favour.
Conditions are far again from perfect for Nicky Henderson’s star chaser but the main worry is the hard race he had in the Gold Cup. If he’s recovered to anywhere near his best he will win.
Bristol De Mai has always had plenty of class but he does blow a bit hot and cold.
His victories in the Charlie Hall and the Betfair Chase give him a chance but he flopped in the King George and was bitterly disappointing when only third behind Definitly Red in the Cotswold Chase.
After that trial success at Cheltenham Definitly Red was well fancied for the Gold Cup.
Despite again getting his ground he was beaten a long way out and the brutal truth is that he might just not be up to the top level.
Double Shuffle is a better each-way bet. He chased home Might Bite in the King George and he arrives a fresh horse having missed the Gold Cup due to testing ground.
The going won’t be ideal today either but Tom George’s ace does have plenty going for him.
Last year’s winner Tea For Two ran well when third in the King George. The Gold Cup was all too much for him and he is at his best on right-handed tracks.
3.25
TUCK into a Supa star in the Betway Aintree Hurdle.
SUPASUNDAE beat Faugheen to win the Irish Champion Hurdle and he was only just mastered by Penhill in the dash to the line in the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle over 3m at Cheltenham.
Today he tackles a trip in between those distances and there’s a fair chance it’s his best. I’ve no doubt he sets the standard.
The New One dropped out worryingly quickly in the Stayers’ Hurdle. Maybe he didn’t stay but it was still a dismal effort and he has had a pretty tough season with several brutal races on testing ground.
Nicky Henderson’s My Tent Or Yours has been second to Champion Hurdlers in this race in the last two years. He missed Cheltenham but would be much more dangerous on better ground.
The steady early pace didn’t suit his stablemate L’Ami Serge in the Stayers’. He has the ability to take a race like this but his will to win is distinctly lacking. The bookies never take a chance with him as he hits the frame so often but for win bets he’s a risky proposition.
Cyrus Darius won the big 2m novices’ hurdle at this meeting three years ago. He’s had his problems since but he has a fine hurdles record and he has plenty of form on testing ground. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him run well.
Uttoxeter handicap winner Clyne is another who loves the mud but he’s not up to this level.
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4.05
GRAND VISION looks the one to be on in the Foxhunters.
He didn’t quite see the trip out when sixth behind Pacha Du Polder in the Cheltenham equivalent so the drop from 3m2f is in his favour. Testing ground has never worried him and his jumping is usually as good as it comes.
It’s a wonder Colin Tizzard has never sent him over these fences before as I can’t imagine he’ll have any trouble with them.
Balnaslow was a place further back at the Festival. He was second in this race 12 months ago before winning the Champion Hunter Chase at Punchestown.
There’s no doubt he has a fair bit going for him but he would have preferred better ground.
The recent rain hasn’t done the chances of Bear’s Affair and Wonderful Charm any good either.
On The Fringe is aiming to lift this prize for the third time after victories in 2015 and 2016. His ninth at Cheltenham shows he’s not as good as he was.
Barrakilla had been off the track for two years before beating Wells De Lune at Bangor in February so it was understandable his next effort wasn’t as good.
With conditions in his favour I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him go well.
Unioniste was tenth in the Grand National a couple of years ago. He has claims but amateur jockey David Maxwell’s limitations could be exposed in a race like this.
Ex-soldier Guy Disney – who lost part of his leg while serving in Afghanistan – would be a fairytale winner on Gallery Exhibition but I can’t see it.
4.40
THE Red Rum Chase looks a bit Bent.
Ex-Irish BENTELIMAR has run some good races since joining Charlie Longsdon.
He’s really well weighted on his slightly unlucky third behind Gino Trail at Cheltenham in December and he had little chance trying to give weight to smart novice Terrefort at Huntingdon.
I’ve a feeling a fast-run 2m his just what he wants these days and that’s what he’s going get today.
Gino Trail has had a fine season and his second in the Grand Annual at the Festival shows he’s not been handicapped out of matters.
Giving weight away all round won’t be easy but he does like soft ground and he is consistent.
Theinval was runner-up in this race 12 months ago having made the frame in the Grand Annual.
He was fourth in that Cheltenham handicap this time but he would have preferred much quicker ground.
Bun Doran was third last year but he’s not the strongest of finishers.
I’m more worried about King’s Socks. He had some smart form in France and he caught the eye when fifth in the 2m4f Plate handicap at Cheltenham.
Wandering around in the closing stages did not help his chance but that might well have been down to the petrol running out. Dropping to 2m could easily be the key to him.
Robinshill and Sizing Platinum are a couple who should run well at decent odds.
Templegate's tips for Aintree
1.45 Aintree - Cyrname: 'Can benefit from missing the Festival and his form is solid'
2.20 Aintree - We Have A Dream: 'Looked good when rattling up a four-timer'
2.50 Aintree - Might Bite: 'If he's recovered from his Gold Cup second he will win'
3.25 Aintree - Supasundae: 'I've no doubt he sets the standard'
4.05 Aintree - Grand Vision: 'Testing ground isn't a worry and he's a brilliant jumper'
4.40 Aintree - Bentelimar: 'Run some really good races since joining Charlie Longsdon'
5.15 Aintree - Posh Trish: 'She can make her experience count today'
5.15
SPICE up the mares’ bumper with a bet on POSH TRISH.
She made a winning debut for Paul Nicholls when awarded a race won by Grageelagh Girl over today’s course and distance in October.
She got the better of Grageelagh Girl fair and square at Cheltenham the following month before running down the field in a red-hot Ascot bumper.
It was a decent effort trying to give weight away to some smart rivals at Sandown last time and she should make her experience count.
Getaway Katie Mai won nicely on her debut before chasing home subsequent Champion Bumper winner Relegate at Leopardstown.
That’s clearly smart form but the market might have overreacted.
Midnightreferendum, Meep Meep and Dunhallow Gesture are others to look out for.
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AINTREE
1.45 Cyrname (nap)
2.20 We Have A Dream
2.50 Might Bite
3.25 Supasundae (treble)
4.05 Grand Vision
4.40 Bentelimar (nb)
5.15 Posh Trish
CHELMSFORD
5.45 Harperelle
6.15 Medici Banchiere
6.45 Commander Han
7.15 Kyllachy Gala
7.45 Zac Brown
8.15 Raffle King
8.45 Betjeman
SOUTHWELL
1.55 Gleaming Sun
2.30 Victory Wave
3.00 Nuns Walk
3.35 Zylan
4.15 Kingstreet Lady
4.50 Amadeus
5.25 Da Capo Dandy
TAUNTON
2.10 Tierra Verde
2.40 Blu Cavalier
3.15 Lucktime
3.55 Le Coeur Net
4.30 Risk And Roll
5.05 Fly West
5.35 Mark’s Folly