DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
FRIDAY APRIL 10
1.45 AINTREE
There are many imponderables in this fiendishly difficult opening handicap, but last year’s winner WELLINGTON ARCH ticks more boxes most and he arrives here in the kind of form to suggest he will not loosen his grip on the title lightly.
Like twelve months ago, Jonjo & A J O Neill’s inmate used the big Uttoxeter handicap hurdle on Midlands National Day as a warm-up for this prize and in going one place better than his did in the previous renewal, he clearly marked himself down as a horse on the improve.
A strong traveller through his races with a willing attitude off the bridle, the seven-year-old has a profile to suggest he should be right in the thick of the action once again.
Of those in the slightly more ‘unknown’ category, TRUSTINTIMES comes across as being underestimated in the market and it is not hard to make a reasonable case for him being more than a bit-part player.
Winner of four of his seven starts, including his first three over hurdles, Harry Fry’s inmate lost his unbeaten record at Kempton when last seen, but as subsequent events have turned out, his effort in defeat was much better than it appeared at the time.
The winner, Williethebuilder, went on to score next time and both Wandering Ego and Indemnity, well beaten at the Sunbury venue, have also gone on to boost the form in facile fashion since.
Indeed, the latterly named Indemnity ripped apart a useful field in the Sussex Champion Hurdle and he was 20 lengths behind the son of Time Test 104 days ago.
Based on evidence at Kempton, the five-year-old looks well worth a shot at 2m4f and hailing from a team in good form at present, he represents decent value at his morning odds.
WELLINGTON ARCH – ½ point each-way@9-1 (five places)
TRUSTINTIMES – ½ point each-way@16-1 (five places)
2.20 AINTREE
Plenty of Cheltenham form comes under the microscope in this Grade 1 novice chase but it might well be that MIAMI MAGIC, who avoided the exploits of last month to come here fresh, ends up being the percentage call.
A horse rising through the ranks, he might not have beaten much at Newbury last time out, but he jumped like a buck, stayed on very strongly over his first try beyond 2m4f and posted a very good time figure.
Prior to that eye-catching display, let’s not forget he dished out a sound beating to the useful Regent’s Stroll at Cheltenham earlier in the campaign and it makes little sense why he is chalked up a bigger price than Paul Nicholls’ inmate on their rematch.
MIAMI MAGIC – 1-point win@5-1
4.05 AINTREE
Looking back at this race last year, it was quite a remarkable performance by GENTLEMAN DE MEE to win from where he was after a poor start and providing the first part of the contest goes more smoothly this time around, Willie Mullins’ inmate has bright prospects of retaining his crown.
Slow start aside, it took a while for the 10-year-old to warm to the task in the jumping department but once he gained confidence over fences, he made relentless progress to sweep by his field in the final half a mile.
Like last season, he has spent most of his time banging his head against the wall at Grade 2 and 3 level during the last six months but now back into handicap company, fresh off a break, the son of Saint Des Saints looks a proper copy and paste job.
If the main selection fails to deliver the goods, a small interest on PRIMOZ might not be the worst strategy in the world, based on the theory he is just far too talented to let go at the prices.
A bit of a Jekyll & Hyde character, of course he is just as likely turn his nose up at this place as he is thriving on his first sight of the fences, but as we saw at Ayr last time when he absolutely bolted up, he is capable of pure brilliance and at 25-1, the risk is well worth excepting.
GENTLEMAN DE MEE – ½ point each-way@8-1 (six places)
PRIMOZ – ½ point each-way@25-1 (six places)
4.40 AINTREE
So many of these had a hard race in the Albert Bartlett, it is hard to back any of the participants with any degree of confidence, including the favourite, Johnny’s Jury, and the safer option could turn out to be ZEUS POWER, who ran a blinder in the Turners Hurdle, over a shorter trip.
Racing over the furthest he had attempted in his short career, Joseph O’Brien’s inmate got the 2m5f trip really well and in what looked the most competitive of the novice events at the Cheltenham festival, it is hard to believe the form isn’t reliable.
Add into the equation, he didn’t receive the smoothest of passages from halfway, his effort deserves extra credit and with the likeable of even more improve to come, the five-year-old can buck the general trend of his age group in this race.
ZEUS POWER – 1-point win@9-2
5.15 AINTREE
SHERMINATOR, named after one of the most iconic characters in the American Pie series, could easily be saying to his supporters, “come with me if you want to win” (rather than live).
Harry Fry’s inmate certainly has the profile of a horse capable of reaching headier heights than his current rating and his latest win at Exeter backs up that view.
The way he powered his way through a well-run affair at the west country venue before scampering well clear was in the style of a highly progressive novice and it is noticeable how well the form has worked out with both the well-beaten pair, Western Cross and French Emperor winning since.
Targeted at this race by connections ever since, the booking of Patrick Mullins is seen as a clear sign of intent and the five-year-old has the necessary attributes to execute the plan.
SHERMINATOR – 1-point each-way@13-2 (five places)