Aintree Day 1 rundown

The start of the Aintree festival kicks off on the Thursday 3rd of April. Currently the going is described as “Good”, so we will base these picks from this. There is some really big races to kick off the festival and some huge names in the running aswell. I’ve picked a horse to watch/my choice to come in the places and or win based on form, ground preference, ideal trip and experience at race class to name a few. There is no doubt the first day of the festival will offer some great races so kick back and enjoy.

13:35

First race of the festival is always a tricky one to find a winner. BOOMBAWN for the Skeltons looks like a good pick. Needs the good ground for a proper result. Won at Wincanton in a class one on good ground in a relatively small field. Runs for an in-from stable with top jockey onboard. Ran well last time out at Kempton when finishing second to race competitor Rubaud. What sets this horse apart from the rest of the field is the ability to preform on the good ground when others don’t have that form on simailar ground.

JANGO BAIE (fav)for Nicky Henderson should be safe-ish pick. Won well last time out at Cheltenham, but steps up in trip this time out. Runs for a struggling stable and an out of form jockey. In all fairness this is a really good horse and will run well. The ground shouldn’t be an issue, the only problem for me is the step up in trip and the out of form stable.

14:20

An interesting race all round with some really good horses. My pick would be PUTURHANDSTOGETHER for Joseph O’Brein and JP McManus. Big win at Cheltenham last time out in a 22 competitive field. Responded well to being shaken up when finding another gear. Seemingly jumped more fluent than previous outings which suggests improvement.

Would prefer good to soft but has won on good in the past. Wins in big fields and this is one of those. Not the most consistent but when jumps well, finishes well.

The favourite Lulamba hasn’t convinced me with that second last time at Cheltenham. Not a horse to be ignored at all and will run well I’m sure. Was beaten by a suprise winner last time and there are some excuses for that second place. Overall will run well but not my first pick.

14:55

GREY DAWNING for the Skeltons is my choice here. A really solid horse. Won in a small field at Kelso but won comfortably off top weight to current one of the grand national favourites Iroko.

Does tend to ruin chances to win when big mistakes are made. However, should this horse run well there is a real chance that Grey Dawning can run on well. Compared to other big players in this race, Grey Dawning offers the best consistency.

15:30

The big one of the day with the clash of the big names in horse racing. It’s got Constitution Hill,

Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead all vying to win the Anitree Hurdle. Despite these big names, my pick is WODHOOH for Gordon Elliott.

Despite these big names being in the running WODHOOH has some really solid form. Winning some competitive handicaps along the way, most recently last time out. Unbeaten on all starts and is only five years old. I do belive this young horse will offer a worthy opponent against Constitution Hill who is eight years old now and looking past his peak. As for Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead, while they are very strong horses, they don’t necessarily offer the right form for this distance and ground. Lossiemouth lovers will disagree with that statement when winning last time out over 2m4f on good to soft. While this is the case and she did win well, it wasn’t the strongest race and her strengths might have been better shown in the Champion Hurdle. While I do think Lossiemouth will beat Constitution Hill, I do belive that WODHOOH offers great value for those putting on a bet as well as being a really very interesting horse.

16:05

The Foxhunters is always going to be a tough race to predict with a 31 runner field. MY DROGO is my pick here. Appears to be a work horse type who is willing to carry on rallying at any point in the race. Won last time out despite running at all markers of the pack. Won last time out on good to soft and the time before on good suggesting ground is not a defiant factor. Point to point form has been strong making it hard to ignore. That form translates into a win at Haydock last time out.

Aintree Day 2 Picks Here