Aintree Top Picks 13/04/2023 – Preview and Suggested Bets
Check out our selections for Aintree Racecourse this Thursday.
1:45 – Racehorse Lotto Manifesto Novices’ Chase
Once Jonbon wasn’t declared, this race has fallen apart somewhat and that should make it a relatively simple task for STAGE STAR. He has won 4 of his 5 starts over fences and was able to dominate the Turners at Cheltenham last month. He did fail to finish in the Mersey Novices hurdle here last season, but his form would suggest he was over the top by then and he ran perfectly well when 3rd in the grade 2 bumper at this meeting in 2021 to suggest the track will not be an issue. He may not get a soft lead, but in a small field this is unlikely to turn into a real stamina test and he should have too much class for his 4 rivals.
3:30 – William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1)
It’s impossible to oppose CONSTITUTION HILL who won last month’s Champion Hurdle with ease and the step up in trip shouldn’t be any cause for concern based on how he finished that race. In a small field, he should have far too much class for these, but with several of the others looking out of form or unlikely to want this far, perhaps the value comes in a forecast with ZANAHIYR. He was given a quiet ride to pick up the pieces and finish 3rd in the Champion hurdle and repeat of that effort, over a trip that we know he stays, could see him fill the places once again.
4:05 – Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters Chase
Bradley Gibbs trained and rode Premier Magic to win the Hunters Chase at the Cheltenham festival and he has a great chance of completing a famous double with FIER JAGUEN. A 7-time winner between the flags, he has won his last 3 starts by a combined distance of 155-lengths and has beaten some formerly smart types like Dundrum Wood, Looksnowtlikebrian and Ami Desbois during that run. He is a confirmed front runner, which is always an advantage over these fences when a horse can get a clear sight of the obstacles and avoid any trouble in running. He looks to have a solid chance and is the least exposed under rules in this race.
4:40 – Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase
There are a few unexposed types in this field but the most obvious one is DOUGLAS TALKING. Trained by Lucinda Russell, he has won 5 of his 8 starts over fences and arrives here on the back on 2 impressive front running performances at Ayr and Sandown. He made his chasing debut at Musselburgh in February 2022 on a mark of just 104 and now finds himself fully 30lbs higher as he steps into premier company for the first time, but that rise is fully justified. His RPRs have also risen by over 30lbs in that time and the figure of 141 that he recorded at Sandown was a career best by 7lbs, suggesting that he is still progressing. He looks the most likely improver in the field and if he matches the Sandown effort here, he could be hard to catch.
