We were left with only three selections on yesterday's Lucky 15 bet due to the withdrawal of Spillane's Tower.
Impaire Et Passe got the ball rolling, winning at advised odds of 5/2. Constitution Hill fell again, which was the biggest shock on day one, and that ultimately left us with Rath Gaul Hill, who unfortunately was never involved. We did make some of our stake back, but as a whole, it was a losing day.
Cairnzy's Tips
Handstands 9/4 – Aintree 1.45
I was initially tempted by the Nicholls-trained Caldwell Potter, who looked a much better horse in his last outing when opting for front-running tactics. He was an expensive purchase for the yard and has a long way to go before repaying the costly tag on his head, but if he gets an uncontested lead and stays the trip, then he could be the value play at 4s. With that said, I haven't had a great time this past while when backing the Nicholls yard and I've opted to sway his charge this time around and play it safe with the current market favourite Handstands.
My selection arrives here as the highest rated horse in the field and has done well for Ben Pauling when sent over the bigger obstacles. He has the least to prove in this sphere and arrives here fresh, having swerved Cheltenham with this race being the obvious aim. His win over Jango Baie is the best form on offer, with Jango Baie winning the Arkle at Cheltenham last month, and he also ran a decent race to finish third yesterday on Day 1 of the festival.
Wade Out 7/1 – Aintree 2.20
Big field handicaps aren't my sort of thing as they are a complete lottery, but I thought Olly Murphy's Wade Out was interesting at the prices, and I thought I'd give him a chance in today's Lucky 15 bet.
My selection opened up at 9/2 and has since drifted out to 7s, but he remains towards the top end of the market. Wade Out is making his handicap debut in this contest, but he runs off a low weight with Sean Bowen on board, and I think he has it in the locker to run a big race. He is versatile ground-wise and remains completely unexposed in this sort of sphere. His second behind Celtic Dino is a nice piece of form, and he arrives here on the back of a comfortable 19L victory at Wetherby back in February.
Blue Lord 7/1 – Aintree 4.05
Willie Mullins cleared up on Day 1 of the Aintree Festival, landing a handsome four-timer with Lossiemouth being the pick of the bunch when landing the Aintree Hurdle.
Mullins holds a strong hand in this contest, but I thought the choice of Paul Townend in choosing Blue Lord over James Du Berlais was an eye catching one, and that alone swerved me to take a chance on the 10-year-old. My selection isn't the force he once was, but he has dropped to an attractive mark as a result. Blue Lord landed three Grade Ones in 2022 but is form pretty much blipped after that. With that said, a recent third at Ascot showed he still retains potential, and he doesn't face the same calibre of opposition this time around.
Califet En Vol 7/2 – Aintree 4.40
A lot of this field is unproven at the trip, and finding a horse that will likely relish the step up in distance is important. My eye was immediately drawn to Califet En Vol from the Nicky Henderson stable, who looks the type to improve for the step up in trip.
My selections brings arguably the best form to this contest, finishing 3L down in second behind The New Lion, who has since boosted the form by winning the Turners at Cheltenham. Califet En Vol went one better at Huntingdon recently, when landing a Listed contest back in February.
Advised bet – Each Way Lucky 15
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