Aintree day 2 picks

The Friday of the festival is also known as Ladies' Day.  There are three Grade One races on the cards and the notorious William Hill Handicap Hurdle with a field of 22 runners. Day two of the festival looks like another exciting one. There is a few horses that need to come back to form but there is no place better than here. Experience at the course is always useful due to its style of track, jumps and racegoers. A lot of chances for some surprise winners in the big fields with some high-priced favs.

1:45

The first race of the day has a field of eight runners to go over 3m1f. There are some big trainers and big jockeys in this race taking the ride on some very competitive horses. Overall a tough race to call with three names taking my fancy. Out of all of them DANCING CITY is my choice. Won this race last year and runs regularly on this trip, unlike other horses like Caldwell Potter. Trained by Willie Mullins and Paul Townend taking the ride is always the perfect recipe for a good pick.  Dancing City had won four of his runs before disappointing at Cheltenham. The last race can be ignored as I don’t believe this was the same horse compared to previous runs.  This horse can run on any ground and run well which is a huge advantage over the current favourite Handstands who’s wins are mostly on soft ground. Ground will not be an issue for Dancing City. Experience is what this horse has and will use this when coming up against Caldwell Potter.

Overall a really solid horse who comes in with a wealth of experience and multiple huge wins under his belt.

2:20

The William Hill Handicap Hurdle is a really tough race for both jockeys, horses and punters. A big field of 22 with a lot of value in there. It’s difficult to just pick one horse for this race so I will pick a couple to keep an eye on.

IMPOSE TOI is my first pick. Young and consistent over hurdles is something that can’t be underestimated in this race. First-time headgear was a great call from Nicky Henderson. Handicap form is strong (12312) with the most recent result coming in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham. The Coral Cup is similar in terms of standard and field size so should be a decent indicator. Down-side of coming into this race with solid form is the weight and this horse is carrying it, going offf at 12-0, top weight.

WRECKLESS ERIC is my other pick in this race. Looked like a win was on in the Imperial Cup at Sandown last time out. Began to really pick up at the end of the race and if it wasn’t for a poor jump at the last then a win was on the cards. Good result earlier in the season at the Cheltenham December meeting coming second and staying on well in a big field. Both races mentioned, the horse stayed on an looked as if further would suit. This was more the case in the last race when really picking up form the 2mile mark.

At only five years old and running well in big races, the future of this horse is promising and a win here would set the career precedent. Ground is no issue and neither is the weight.

I don’t think the importance of past running in big fields can be understated in a race like this. This has been a major part of my choices in this race, among other factors.

14:55

TRIPOLI FLYER takes my pick for this one. Comes in with three wins on the bounce, two at grade 2 level. Untested on good ground which poses some questions, however this is the case for all of the big names here. Jumping will need to improve from last time out to win but will be a major player if so. Other horses on this card such as Romeo Coolio would have had my pick if preformed better at Cheltenham. Same goes for Salvator Mundi.

15:30

Really strong and small card. Tough one to call overall due to the amount of big names here. Questions still linger over the Henderson stable form and not helped by Jonbon’s worrying run at Cheltenham, my pick goes to  EL FABIOLO. Superstar in his day but his form seems to have dropped off. Last time at Navan over the same distance offers a glimmer of hope. The step up in trip last time appeared to suit when the ground didn’t look too. Has form on good ground and the step up in trip should complement this very well.

16:05

Similar to the William Hill I will pick a couple of horses to keep an eye on due to a large field. 30 runners will go off here in the Grade 3 2m5f Chase. BAD is my pick for the Ben Pauling stable. Despite the name, this horse goes off with top form. Stayed on strong last time out at Kempton on good ground finishing first. Has good to soft from as well also at Kempton. This is a big step up in grade but the horse should take well to an increase in class.

Another horse that catches my eye is GRANDEUR D’AME. Been a really good season so far and definitely likes this trip. Disappointed last time at Cheltenham, however, this can be put down to being too far. Prefers good ground, but good to soft isn’t the end of the world. Good win at Chepstow earlier in the season and a close second at Cheltenham in January beaten by only a short-head. This horse has no issues bouncing back after poor results so this race could be perfect. To add to this runs off a really handy weight of only 10-8.

16:40

The last Grade 1 card of the day with a competitive field and over 3m. BATTLE BORN LAD looks like the classy horse here. Proven Grade 1 winner on this trip and ground. Despite jumping not being all there, kept on well to win by 5 and a half lengths. Runs off a lesser weight this time around. What sets the horse apart from those higher in the market is being a proven stayer, winner at Grade 1 level and runs for a good stable. The current market leader, Califet En Vol, just doesn’t have the experience that I like in a horse. Last time winner at Huntington but jumped poorly. Stayed on well, picking up over the final furlong which suggests this step up in trip will suit. Despite this, the jumping is a worry and runs for an out of form stable.