Thursday, April 12, 2012

Aintree 2012 - Friday is Ladies' Day

A couple that I fancied let me down at Cheltenham (horses that is, not ladies) and they reappear tomorrow - Join Together at 2.30 and Saphir River in the 4.50.

At Haydock's Festival preview evening Mick Fitzgerald was pretty sweet on Join Together for the RSA Chase; in the event the horse went out like a light a fair way from home but at that time there was a question mark over the form of Paul Nicholls' runners. In the past fortnight the stable has recorded a strike-rate of over 50% but the worry now is Ruby Walsh prefers Silviniaco Conti, a horse that has never won over further than 21 furlongs. I'm not going to play.

I certainly intend to have an each-way wager on Saphir River in the 4.50 if the tissue price of 33/1 is readily available. This one cost 280,000 euros, has some decent French form to his name and impressed connections in a racecourse gallop at Newbury just before Cheltenham. In the Coral Cup he unshipped Sam Thomas at the second flight (but continued riderless with the field, crossing the line ahead of Veiled in third); Sam Thomas is replaced by Paul Carberry. Another who looked unlucky in running in that same race is Cape Dutch (touted beforehand by trainer John Ferguson as his best chance of a winner at that meeting).

Unbeaten Fingal Bay missed Cheltenham on account of injury but is the clear form choice for the Sefton at 4.15. He won't be much of a price although I wouldn't be tempted by Cotton Mill who took a nasty-looking tumble when ducking out two from home in the Neptune at the Festival.

I've spent a while trying to come up with something at a price for the Melling Chase. Albertas Choice shows his very best form on good ground but in any case is short enough in the market and isn't getting any younger these days while the others just don't fill me with inspiration. I'll keep my powder dry for Saturday's card.       

1 comment:

GeeDee said...

Missed 50/1 on Thursday evening but managed to get on Saphir River at 33s.

Paul Carberry brought the selection to challenge at the last and although he couldn't go with principals Attaglance (14/1) and Tour D'argent (8/1) he stayed on to come home fourth, beaten a head for third by Los Nadis (66/1).