Racing
13.45 Close Brothers Manifesto Novices’ Chase
GREY DAWNING has won eight of his 12 starts under rules and was last seen winning the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham. He has already beaten Ginny’s Destiny twice and can confirm he’s the better horse here. BLOW YOUR WAD is interesting, though. He was last seen winning a Grade 2 race at Kempton and has deliberately been kept fresh for this race.
Tips: Grey Dawning, Blow Your Wad
14.20 Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle
SIR GINO has been seriously impressive in winning both of his starts for Nicky Henderson, and although he was pulled out of Cheltenham, he remains a top prospect and should be hard to beat. KALIF DU BERLAIS is another unbeaten runner and won a Grade 2 race when last spotted. He is also a smart prospect for Paul Nicholls, and he could give the favourite the most to think about.
Tips: Sir Gino, Kalif Du Berlais
14.55 William Hill Bowl Chase
GERRI COLOMBE should be tough to stop in this race if he can replicate his excellent runner-up effort when he finished second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He will be at home under these conditions, and he claimed a Grade 1 C&D race at this meeting last year in great style. His biggest danger will be Shishkin, but Gordon Elliott’s charge is the rightful favourite.
Tips: Gerri Colombe
15.30 William Hill Aintree Hurdle
BOB OLINGER has an excellent record under these conditions and ran well over an inadequate trip when he finished second to State Man in the Irish Champion Hurdle. This track promises to suit, as will the return to this longer trip, and he comfortably had Impaire Et Passe in behind last time out. If he performs to his best, this Grade 1 race should be his for the taking, with lots in his favour.
Tips: Bob Olinger
16.05 Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase
TIME LEADER won three on the bounce before he finished a gutsy third place at Cheltenham last month. He caught the eye when he finished a staying on fifth place in this race last year and can significantly improve on that this time. ESPOIR DE GUYE should be suited to these fences and has a lot of form on similar ground, so he could easily exceed market expectations at a big price.
Tips: Time Leader, Espoir De Guye
16.40 Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase
SAINT ROI is a Grade 1 winner in this sphere and shaped a lot better than the beaten margin indicated when sixth in the Grand Annual last month. He has dropped 2Ib in the handicap as a result, and having finished second at this fixture last year, he’s a major player. PATH D’OROUX has been running consistently in defeat of late and must be respected.
Tips: Saint Roi, Path D’oroux
17.15 Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race
DIVA LUNA beat a subsequent listed runner-up when making a successful debut in a listed bumper at Market Rasen. She evidently has lots of speed with a sharp turn of foot and has a good chance for the Ben Pauling team. JUBILEE ALPHA also made a winning debut at Wincanton, and Paul Nicholls has saved her for this race since, so she also makes the shortlist.
Tips: Diva Luna, Jubilee Alpha
