Thursday, April 12, 2007

Aintree selections - Friday


Friday is Ladies' Day at Aintree but the winners look difficult to pick out.

In the opener at 2.00 Ungaro will appreciate the good ground and has a decent chance if reproducing the form shown when winning the Feltham Novices' Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. The stable has been a little in and out of form and, with that in mind, I'm prepared to forgive his run at Cheltenham behind Denman. Likely favourite Turko is not the best of jumpers, while top rated Faasel has done most of his winning around two miles but will be a danger to all if he stays. Ungaro is guaranteed to stay so he gets the vote.

Wichita Lineman won impressively at Cheltenham, is the form horse in the 2.35 and will be priced accordingly. Massini's Maguire seemed to benefit from front running tactics when winning the Royal & Sun Alliance Hurdle at Cheltenham but had previously appeared inconsistent; he's not one I'd trust implicitly. Paul Nicholls thinks Silverburn will improve following his sixth behind Massini's Maguire and appeals as the alternative should the favourite's price be too short for your liking.

I was surprised to see Well Chief has never won over two and a half miles. Nonetheless on official ratings he is the top horse by a considerable margin and is the one to beat in the John Smith's Melling Chase at 3.10. Crozan is interesting in that he was running a big race at a big price when falling at Cheltenham last time. Here he wears first time blinkers and may offer some each way value provided eight or more go to post. He could be anything but trainer Nicky Henderson thinks highly of him.

1 comment:

GeeDee said...

Not much joy here, I'm afraid, with two odds on shots being overturned.
Ungaro was sent off at 5/1, looked briefly dangerous but then faded badly to finish sixth.
4/6 favourite Wichita Lineman got caught in a tussle with Massini's Maguire up front which allowed Chief Dan George (20/1) to come and beat the selection by four lengths. Silverburn (4/1) ran an awful race finishing a tailed off sixth.
Well Chief (4/5)finished third behind 4/1 winner Monet's Garden. Crozan (14/1)led until three out finishing fourth of the six runners.