Two races into the opening day and I was already putting a line through it and looking ahead to Friday’s card! In my opening day preview I had forgotten to mention that sometimes horses go backwards after running at Cheltenham. It is on days like these that you take comfort from the fact that the flat season will be getting into top gear shortly.
Friday’s card features the reappearance of Sprinter Sacre, the horse that has been the subject of more hype than any jumper in recent memory. He has coped with it admirably so far, winning the Arkle Trophy easily last year and then sauntering to victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase last month. The problem is that there doesn’t appear to be anything around that can give him a race. Lining up against him on Friday are Ryanair Chase winner Cue Card and the Irish challenger Flemenstar. Cue Card was put in his place by Sprinter Sacre last season and Flemenstar is dropping back in trip after failing to stay three miles. The field also contains last year’s Champion two-miler in Finian’s Rainbow, finally getting the chance to race on a decent surface after floundering in the heavy going on his most recent outings.
The two and a half mile trip has been put up as a possible reason for Sprinter Sacre to be beaten but I don’t see it. Aintree is a flat turning track and the better ground is not going to make this a stamina test. The race does not offer much in the way of a betting contest but I’m sure that the hype will go into overdrive once again tomorrow.
Nicky Henderson’s My Tent Or Yours is odds-on to atone for his Cheltenham defeat in the opener and Dynaste (2.30) is also on a recovery mission after finishing second in the Jewson. Both horses cruised into the home straight at the festival but found one too good in the closing stages. At Fishers Cross is aiming for a sixth consecutive victory later in the 4.15, although trainer Rebecca Curtis will be anxious to make sure that there is sufficient give in the ground. With so many short-priced favourites on the card it could be a difficult day to eke out a profit. Perhaps one of those generous bookies will be offering enhanced terms on all four hot pots?
If you fancy a better price for your money, The Topham Trophy (3.40) and The John Smith’s Daily Mirror Punters Club Handicap (4.50) might be more to your liking. The Topham won’t quite be the same without Always Waining. He has won it for the last three years but will be going for the Grand National on Saturday. Races over the National fences are so few and far between that it’s difficult to be confident but I may have an each-way interest in Tartak here. He ran a good race at Cheltenham when finishing third behind Carrick Boy and he did win at this meeting in 2009. Alan King has his horses in fine form and poses a problem by saddling both Meister Eckhart and Manyrivertocross in the 4.50. Both ran well at the festival and look worthy of each-way support.
Accumulator: My Tent Or Yours, Dynaste, Sprinter Sacre, At Fishers Cross
Tartak 14-1 Skybet, William Hill
Meister Eckhart 10-1 Bet365
Manyrivertocross 14-1 Bet365
