Hot Fuss 13/2 (5pl) – Aintree 1.45
A horse I believe has a solid chance in the opening race is Hot Fuss, and I can't see him finishing out of the frame.
He has been a very consistent horse for Tom Dascombe over the last couple of seasons, and has ran with credit in a lot of big prize handicaps. He managed to win one this year, but his best performance came at Cheltenham last time out on his first attempt at this trip.
He saw the trip out, but the final half furlong caught him out. This flatter track should be better suited to him. Even though I think Indeevar Bleu will be tough to beat, I think Hot Fuss has the second-best chance.
Regent's Stroll 9/2 (3pl) – Aintree 2.20
I'm fairly certain that Paul Nicholls won this race last year with Caldwell Potter, who came from winning at Cheltenham. Regent's Stroll didn't manage to win the same race at Cheltenham, but he finished third, and ran well considering he didn't get to front run.
This smaller field should be much better suited to him, as he is a quirky horse, and it should mean he'll jump off from the front. The trip is an unknown, but it was also an unknown for last year's winner, so they obviously know what is required to win.
This lad has a lot of ability, and I don't think it's a particularly strong Grade 1. Salver and Wendigo are the form horses, and you can give a chance to Gold Dancer for Willie Mullins.
Talk To The Man 17/2 (4pl) – Aintree 4.40
I will be hoping that Paul Nicholls has a good day for Day 2, as I'm sticking up Talk To The Man for this race.
It's interesting that Harry Cobden has jumped off No Drama This End, as that horse has been the hype horse from this yard all season long. Paul Nicholls believes he's the next coming of Denman, which is nonsence, but shows the level they hold him at. That horse is a Grade 1 winner, but didn't perform last time out. Cobden has had enough and has gone for the unexposed horse, who could be decent.
The staying division isn't strong, and we saw that unravel at Cheltenham when we had a 20/1 winner, who also runs in this race. I think Johnny's Jury is the one to beat, and will be fine around Aintree, but at a price I thought it was worth chancing another improver.
The Mighty Celt 14/1 (5pl) – Aintree 5.15
The Skeltons have a good grip of this race. They have Harry Lowes, who is fancied in the market, but he wasn't the one I latched on to.
The Mighty Celt, the four-year-old, was the one who caught my attention after an eye-catching run at Cheltenham in the Juvenile handicap. I think he has a great chance in this race from a relatively low weight under Heidi Palin, who gave Unexpected Party a great spin into fourth over the National fences yesterday.
The Mighty Celt was held off the pace at Cheltenham, and if they are going to do the same, the long run-in should be beneficial.
GambleAware