1:45 – Air Charter Services Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
British trainers have won each of the last 5 running’s of this race, but this year GERRI COLOMBE will surely buck that trend. He was perhaps a little unlucky not to win the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham festival when he just failed to reel in The Real Whacker in the closing stages. That was the first defeat of his career, but he still ran with huge credit and if race hasn’t left its mark, he should outclass this field. Davy Russell is likely to ensure that this race plays to his strengths and so we should expect this to be a proper test of stamina and he can confirm his Gold Cup credentials for 2024 by returning to winning ways.
2:55 – Poundland Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Inthepocket and Luccia set the standard after a pair of 4th placed finishes at the Cheltenham festival in the Ballymore and Mares Novices Hurdle respectively. They are both respected here, but if there is a real unknown quantity in this race then it is surely the Harry Fry trained ALTOBELLI. He didn’t run at Cheltenham but has been a very impressive winner on soft ground at both Ffos Las and Carlisle, winning by 25-lengths on his latest start. This is a very big step up in grade, but he is 3 from 3 under rules and has yet to be fully extended, so it is impossible to be sure about how much ability he has. He could easily outrun his odds and represent some decent each-way value in an open race.
4:05 – Randox Supports Race Against Dementia Topham Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
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
Willie Mullins has won 2 of the last 3 renewals of this race and his runners at the top of the weights need to be respected from a class angle. However, experience over these fences can be very important and that could mean that it pays to stick with AL DANCER. He has been absent since winning the Grand Sefton over this course and distance in November, but this race has obviously been the plan for some time and the form of that race has worked out very well in the interim. He is 2lbs better off with Gesskille, who he beat in November and looks like a solid each-way bet for Sam Thomas and Charlie Deutsch.
