Aintree Result: Dynaste dazzles in Mildmay

Dynaste went one place better than at Cheltenham with a smart display in the Mildmay Novices' Chase...

A red-hot favourite for Cheltenham's Jewson Novices' Chase off the back of three impressive victories over fences, David Pipe's grey suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Irish raider Benefficient.

Stepping back up in distance, he was the 3.211/5 favourite to gain compensation and did so in some style.

Tom Scudamore sat towards the rear of the field for much of the three-mile-one-furlong journey but arrived there travelling powerfully at the top of the home straight.

He claimed Third Intention on the run to the final fence, jumped it the quicker and stayed on strongly on the run-in to take the Grade Two prize by six lengths.

Scudamore said: "It was great. It was disappointing to get beat at Cheltenham, but he was probably beaten by a very good horse. It's great he's gone out and done it today.

"I wasn't that happy early on. I was niggling him a little bit, but the further he went the better he went.

"He's just a very good horse. It doesn't matter what trip, what ground. He takes it all in.

"I knew that whatever happened I was going to have more toe than them so I let Super Duty and Rocky Creek get on with it.

"He's won over two and a half and has got enough speed to drop back to two.

"David (Pipe) said, whatever happens, ride him with supreme confidence. He's the sort of horse you can as he's very straight forward. He doesn't pull and he jumps very well. He's economical and takes you where you want to go. He's just a joy to ride.

"He's going to have to step up again (next season), but he's a very good horse.

"All being well he's going to be our main horse next year for the championship races.

"He'll keep everyone excited over the summer. He's very solid and hopefully he can take the step up and take on the real big boys."

Pipe said: "I thought he ran well at Cheltenham and just got beat by a better horse on the day.

"He's a very good horse and he proved that on the day.

"He is in at Punchestown so we'll have to see how he comes out of this and have a chat with his owner. That will probably be it for the season, but we'll have to see.

"You've got to look at races like the Paddy Power, the Betfair, King George. Those will be his first half of the season targets and we will go from there."

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Melling Chase Result: Sacre Sprints to Aintree glory

A step up in distance made little distance to Sprinter Sacre as he turned in another breathtaking performance in the Melling Chase at Aintree...

Nicky Henderson's incredibly talented seven-year-old had stretched his unbeaten record over fences to eight with an imperious display in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but was stepping into the unknown on Merseyside.

Tackling two and a half miles for the first time over the larger obstacles, he was a 1-3 favourite to beat a top-class field including Ryanair Chase winner Cue Card, Irish raider Flemenstar and his own stable companion Finian's Rainbow, winner of this race and the Champion Chase last season.

With Cue Card and Flemenstar disputing the lead throughout, the pace gradually increased and all four of the main protagonists turned in some brilliant leaps heading down the back straight.

Sprinter Sacre was travelling with his usual extravagance in behind and once unleashed by Barry Geraghty, the writing was on the wall for his opponents.

Cue Card admirably stuck to his task, but Sprinter Sacre brushed him aside and safely negotiating the final fence to score by four and a half lengths without coming off the bridle.

Flemenstar was a long way back in third, with Finian's Rainbow, who was sent to the front by Tony McCoy leaving the back straight, fading into fourth.

Geraghty said: "He was brilliant. I suppose I could have done with going a little bit quicker.

"He travelled a bit too well and I had to take him back a few times to make use of his jumping. Because of the distance I didn't want to get to the front too soon.

"He was more relaxed than at Cheltenham, but we didn't go quick. He tanked a little. He was very manageable, he wasn't wanting to do anything silly like tear off with me. He was very co-operative and a real gentleman.

"When you let him loose like at the second-last he does it too easily.

"The two and a half miles didn't make any difference. He has plenty of pace and is very versatile."

Henderson said: "He's just a natural athlete. He's got a huge amount of ability and knows how to use it.

"I don't think anybody has taught him about jumping. It is sheer natural talent and it's good to watch when it's over.

"As Barry says that is probably as far as he wants to go. He gets two and a half but he doesn't need any more. It gives him options."

Henderson was not completely ruling out a quick return at Punchestown on April 23, adding: "I'm not ruling it in or out, I sort of think I'd like to show him to the people in Ireland one day.

"He's not had hard races has he. Let's see how he comes out of this."

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Grand National Entries: 57 remain in contention for Aintree glory

"The latest raft of defections means that runs are guaranteed for the likes of Wyck Hill, Chicago Grey... and The Rainbow Hunter."

The weights for the 2013 John Smith's Grand National could be set to go up as several of those towards the head of the weights were withdrawn at the latest forfeit stage.

Of the top five on the racecard, only What A Friend looks a probable runner at this stage, with Albertas Run, Quito de La Roque and Katenko among 16 defections on Tuesday. Imperial Commander, 1 lb ahead of What A Friend, remains among the entries but a combination of lingering injury concerns and an alternative engagement in the Bowl mean he's far from a certain starter.

Among the more fancied runners that were pulled out were Bobbyjo Chase winner Roi du Mee and Badger Ales Trophy winner The Package, the latter of which was pulled up at the Cheltenham Festival last week. 

The others to be withdrawn on Tuesday were Calgary Bay, Midnight Chase, Planet of Sound, Jessies Dream, Problema Tic, Frisco Depot, Alfie Sherrin, Matuhi, Tartak, Summery Justice and Odysseas.

The latest raft of defections means that runs are guaranteed for the likes of Wyck Hill, Chicago Grey (now Timeform top-rated following his win in the Red Mills Chase) and The Rainbow Hunter. Mr Moonshine, runner-up to Cape Tribulation in the Rowland Meyrick over Christmas, is now in the dreaded forty-first position with less than three weeks to go before the race.

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Grand National: 84 entered for Aintree showpiece

The 166th running of the world's greatest chase, the Grand National, has attracted an entry of 84, an increase of two on the 2012 figure...

With a prize fund of £975,000, the Grand National remains the most valuable jump race in Europe and among the richest in the world.
The Aintree contest will take place over the new distance of four miles, three furlongs and about 110 yards on Saturday, April 6, with the start moved closer to the first fence. The maximum permitted field is 40 runners, with up to four reserves on standby. 
Seven-time champion jump trainer Paul Nicholls landed his first Grand National in dramatic fashion last year when Neptune Collonges got the better of Sunnyhillboy by a nose in the closest finish ever seen to the great race. 
Neptune Collonges was retired following his famous victory but Sunnyhillboy could bid to go one better. The 2012 third and fourth, Seabass and Cappa Bleu, are both entered again. 
Trainer Evan Williams, based in the Vale of Glamorgan, has confirmed Cappa Bleu is on course for a second tilt at the Grand National. 
The lightly-raced 11-year-old encountered trouble in running last year and his trainer believes the experience will have stood him in good stead ahead of this year's renewal.
Williams commented: "The Grand National has been the plan for Cappa Bleu ever since he crossed the line last year. 
"He ran a very promising race last year. He got a few bumps along the way and was lucky to stand up with some loose horses and fallers around him. I thought he did incredibly well to finish as close as he did.
"He is a very unexposed horse and his inexperience probably caught him out last year, but hopefully he will benefit from that this time around.
"Everything has been very good with him since his comeback at Carlisle (second of five in November) and, given the way the weather has been, I am delighted we managed to get the run into him when we did.
"Since he ran, it has been very wet and very heavy ground doesn't suit him. When he encountered that for the first time in the Welsh National in 2011, it took me a long time to get him back after that. 
"I didn't want to run him in that sort of ground again this season because I want to get him to Aintree as fresh as I possibly can.
"He holds entries this weekend but he will be entered everywhere as I am very keen to get another run or two into him before Aintree. I will give him every opportunity to run but, as I have said all season, if the ground is very heavy, he won't run."
Cappa Bleu is one of eight entries trained in Wales, along with recent Welsh National second Teaforthree (Rebecca Curtis), Always Waining, who has won the last three runnings of the Topham Chase over the Grand National fences, Gullible Gordon and Mumbles Head (all with Peter Bowen) and 2011 Scottish Grand National winner Beshabar, Saint Are and Tartak (all with Tim Vaughan). 
The only horse trained in Wales to win the Grand National was Kirkland way back in 1905.
Nicholls has four chances to gain a second John Smith's Grand National this year, headed by Tidal Bay. The 12-year-old has been revitalised since joining the Somerset handler and landed the Grade 1 Lexus Chase at Leopardstown, Ireland, over Christmas. Nicholls could also be represented by What A Friend and Harry The Viking, who are both part-owned by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, as well as Join Together, who was second over the famous fences in the Becher Chase in December. 
Jonjo O'Neill, who went so close with Sunnyhillboy last year having trained Don't Push It to win in 2010, has five entries in 2013. In addition to Sunnyhillboy, the Gloucestershire-based handler could also be represented by the multiple Grade 1 scorer Albertas Run, Cheltenham Festival winner Alfie Sherrin, Lost Glory and Mister Hyde.
The name McCain is synonymous with the John Smith's Grand National, with the late Ginger McCain sending out the great Red Rum to three Grand National victories in the 1970s followed by Amberleigh House in 2004 and his son Donald enjoying success with Ballabriggs in 2011. Ballabriggs, sixth in 2012, is one of five entries for Donald McCain this year along with Across The Bay, Cloudy Lane, who has run three times in the Grand National and won the Fox Hunters over the big fences last season, Fabalu and Weird Al.
The progressive Wyck Hill, successful on four of his last six starts, comes from the stable of David Bridgwater. As a jockey, Bridgwater finished second in the 1996 Grand National on Encore Un Peu.
There are a total of 32 Irish-trained entries, with Ireland's champion jump trainer Willie Mullins having seven hopefuls, more than any other handler. The Mullins septet includes the leading contenders Prince De Beauchene, a winner over the Mildmay course at the 2011 Grand National meeting and On His Own, who was still travelling well in third when falling at Becher's on the second circuit of last season's Grand National. Mullins saddled Hedgehunter to land the Aintree showpiece in 2005.
Another Irish trainer to have previously sent out the winner of the Grand National is Ted Walsh, who was triumphant with Papillon in 2000. He has two strong contenders this year, including last year's third Seabass, ridden by his amateur rider daughter Katie, and Colbert Station, who entered the reckoning for the Grand National when taking a valuable handicap chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. 

Nigel Twiston-Davies is the most successful current trainer in the Grand National, having enjoyed two successes with Earth Summit (1998) and Bindaree (2002). He has four entries this year, headed by the 2010 Gold Cup hero Imperial Commander, who made an excellent return to action on Saturday, January 26 following nearly two years when just touched off in the Argento Chase at Cheltenham.
David Pipe, who saddled Comply Or Die to win the Grand National in 2008, also has four to choose from including the talented performer The Package, while Venetia Williams, trainer of the shock winner Mon Mome in 2009, has three possible starters - Katenko, the winner of his last two races, Summery Justice and Pentiffic.

Weights for the 2013 Grand National will be revealed on February 12.

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Aintree Day Three: Graham Cunningham's In-Play Tips

Daily Tipping / Graham Cunningham / 13 April 2012 / Leave a Comment

Will Ballabriggs follow up last year's victory by winning the Grand National again?

"Ballabriggs was simply brilliant in this race last year, attacking the big fences with real gusto from the start and forging clear of the well handicapped Oscar Time."

The 2012 Grand National is finally upon us and Racing UK analyst Graham Cunningham feels last year's hero might be on the verge of another historic feat at Aintree this weekend.

They call it the worlds's greatest steeplechase with very good reason. You need to jump 30 formidable fences and stay four and a half miles thoroughly to go down in history as a Grand National hero.

Slowly but surely, the Grand National short list has been whittled down.

Shakalakaboomboom was at the top of it when the weights first came out, while Becauseicouldntsee and Always Right have been lurking on the fringes for at least a couple of weeks. However, as the big day dawns I've finally plumped for Ballabriggs and Giles Cross as my two against the field in this year's race.

In truth, there is no flash story behind backing either horse with a view to laying off to save the stake in running.

Ballabriggs was simply brilliant in this race last year, attacking the big fences with real gusto from the start and forging clear of the well handicapped Oscar Time as the pair drew well clear of the 2010 National winner Don't Push It.

Stats followers will point out that he's 10lb higher in the weights this time and that there hasn't been a back to back National winner since Red Rum in 1974.

But take another look back at the video of last year's race. Ballabriggs just looks an extremely good horse round this course and looks bound to give us a great run, while Giles Cross has eased in the market since the rain went away but looked an ideal Aintree type when winning at Haydock and is another with the potential to trade much shorter in running than his current big price.

As ever, the Aintree Hurdle is the chief supporting event on National day and this year's renewal promises to be a belter with Champion Hurdle winner Rock On Ruby taking on last year's principals Oscar Whisky and Thousand Stars.

This looks a complex puzzle to solve from a punting viewpoint, but there is one other horse on Saturday's card who commands my attention. And the horse in question is Kazlian in the Handicap Hurdle at 17:05.

This unexposed gelding was high on my list of handicappers to follow at the Cheltenham Festival. However, his rider Tom Scudamore asked him a huge question in setting off so hard at the head of a huge field. Sectional times show that Kazlian went harder from the first flight to the third last in the Fred Winter than the top-class Overturn did in a truly-run Champion Hurdle.

It came as no surprise to see Kazlian find no extra when challenged up the hill that day, but he gave the strong impression that he's still firmly on the up and I'll be looking to snap up the best early price with a view to trading out at much shorter in running.

Saturday Recommended Bets
Back Ballabriggs and Giles Cross (16:15) and lay off to save the stake at [5.0] in running
Back Kazlian (17:05) and lay off to save the stake at [2.5] in running

Timeform run the rule over the runners for the most famous race in the world, the Grand National at Aintree......

A nicely priced outsider in the opening race on the second day of the Grand National meeting......

Timeform run the rule over the 2m4f Grade 1 Melling Chase at Aintree on Friday afternoon......

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Aintree Day Three: Graham Cunningham's In-Play Tips

Daily Tipping / Graham Cunningham / 13 April 2012 / Leave a Comment

Will Ballabriggs follow up last year's victory by winning the Grand National again?

"Ballabriggs was simply brilliant in this race last year, attacking the big fences with real gusto from the start and forging clear of the well handicapped Oscar Time."

The 2012 Grand National is finally upon us and Racing UK analyst Graham Cunningham feels last year's hero might be on the verge of another historic feat at Aintree this weekend.

They call it the worlds's greatest steeplechase with very good reason. You need to jump 30 formidable fences and stay four and a half miles thoroughly to go down in history as a Grand National hero.

Slowly but surely, the Grand National short list has been whittled down.

Shakalakaboomboom was at the top of it when the weights first came out, while Becauseicouldntsee and Always Right have been lurking on the fringes for at least a couple of weeks. However, as the big day dawns I've finally plumped for Ballabriggs and Giles Cross as my two against the field in this year's race.

In truth, there is no flash story behind backing either horse with a view to laying off to save the stake in running.

Ballabriggs was simply brilliant in this race last year, attacking the big fences with real gusto from the start and forging clear of the well handicapped Oscar Time as the pair drew well clear of the 2010 National winner Don't Push It.

Stats followers will point out that he's 10lb higher in the weights this time and that there hasn't been a back to back National winner since Red Rum in 1974.

But take another look back at the video of last year's race. Ballabriggs just looks an extremely good horse round this course and looks bound to give us a great run, while Giles Cross has eased in the market since the rain went away but looked an ideal Aintree type when winning at Haydock and is another with the potential to trade much shorter in running than his current big price.

As ever, the Aintree Hurdle is the chief supporting event on National day and this year's renewal promises to be a belter with Champion Hurdle winner Rock On Ruby taking on last year's principals Oscar Whisky and Thousand Stars.

This looks a complex puzzle to solve from a punting viewpoint, but there is one other horse on Saturday's card who commands my attention. And the horse in question is Kazlian in the Handicap Hurdle at 17:05.

This unexposed gelding was high on my list of handicappers to follow at the Cheltenham Festival. However, his rider Tom Scudamore asked him a huge question in setting off so hard at the head of a huge field. Sectional times show that Kazlian went harder from the first flight to the third last in the Fred Winter than the top-class Overturn did in a truly-run Champion Hurdle.

It came as no surprise to see Kazlian find no extra when challenged up the hill that day, but he gave the strong impression that he's still firmly on the up and I'll be looking to snap up the best early price with a view to trading out at much shorter in running.

Saturday Recommended Bets
Back Ballabriggs and Giles Cross (16:15) and lay off to save the stake at [5.0] in running
Back Kazlian (17:05) and lay off to save the stake at [2.5] in running

Timeform run the rule over the runners for the most famous race in the world, the Grand National at Aintree......

A nicely priced outsider in the opening race on the second day of the Grand National meeting......

Timeform run the rule over the 2m4f Grade 1 Melling Chase at Aintree on Friday afternoon......

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Timeform Daily: Grand National, Saturday, Aintree 16:15

Race of the Day / Timeform / 14 April 2012 / Leave a Comment

Who will win the Grand National?

"Cappa Bleu's strong-travelling style should stand him in good stead at Aintree and he is very much one for the shortlist..."

Timeform run the rule over the runners for the most famous race in the world, the Grand National at Aintree...

Synchronised (Jonjo O'Neill/Tony McCoy) has history against him as no Gold Cup winner has followed up at Aintree since 1934, but it should be noted that he's one of the better-handicapped runners in the field, whilst he's also clearly not dependent on the mud to show his best nowadays. That said, his idiosyncratic jumping technique isn't ideal for Aintree and could see him getting further back than ideal.

Ballabriggs (Donald McCain/Jason Maguire) is another runner hoping to overcome bleak historical trends, as there have been only two back-to-back Grand National winners in the last 142 years. In truth, a 10 lb higher mark than when winning the 2011 renewal looks the biggest obstacle to overcome but, given how well he took to the course then, it wouldn't be the biggest surprise to see him make another bold bid.

Weird Al (Donald McCain/Timmy Murphy) was better than ever upon joining this yard in the autumn, winning the Charlie Hall at Wetherby and finishing a fine third behind Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase. His training problems clearly aren't a thing of the past, however, and it's difficult to fancy himfollowing a miserable effort in the Gold Cup last time (reportedly broke a blood vessel).

Neptune Collonges (Paul Nicholls/Daryl Jacob) is still capable of high-class formdespite his advancing years, good placed efforts under big weights at Sandown and Haydock (runner-up to Giles Cross) last two starts. Not handicapped out of things and has a racing style that could be well suited to this course.

Calgary Bay (Henrietta Knight/Dominic Elsworth) got no further than the fourth in 2011 National, but is usually a very safe conveyance. Doubtful stayer over 4½m, though, whilst he's also plenty high enough in the weights following back-to-back wins at Cheltenham and Doncaster.

Alfa Beat (John Joseph Hanlon/Davy Russell) won second successive Kerry National back in the autumn, but seems too high in the weights now as a result, whilst he didn't take to these fences when a faller in last year's Topham.

Planet of Sound (Philip Hobbs/Richard Johnson) handles top of the ground well and has returned with typically honest placed efforts in the Hennessy at Newbury and Racing Plus Chase at Kempton this term. Hasn't got anything in hand of the handicapper, though, and stamina also to prove over this marathon trip.

Black Apalachi (Dessie Hughes/Denis O'Regan) was a runaway winner of 2008 Becher Chase, who also cut a very bold sight over these fences when runner-up to Don't Push It off this mark in 2010 National. Now thirteen, but signs of retaining much of that ability when a keeping-on second to Prince de Beauchene at Fairyhouse on recent comeback and shouldn't be written off, particularly as Denis O'Regan has opted to renew his association with him instead of riding Giles Cross.

Deep Purple (Evan Williams/Jamie Moore) coped surprisingly well with longer trip when winning London National at Sandown in December, but has shaped as if amiss on most other starts in recent seasons.

Junior (David Pipe/Tom Scudamore) has been trained with this race inmind ever since running away with last season's KimMuir at Cheltenham.Warmed up with a narrow second to Ikorodu Road (winner since) at Doncaster last time and clearly warrants respect, though it's possible he neither travels nor jumps quite fluently enough for this unique test.

Chicago Grey (Gordon Elliott/Paul Carberry) is a thorough stayer who won 2011 National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and has been campaigned with this race in mind since, with the booking of Paul Carberry clearly an asset over these fences. Exaggeratedwaiting tactics adopted on himearlier in the season not certain to suit here, though.

Tatanen (Richard Rowe/Andrew Thornton) won valuable 21f handicap for second successive year at Ascot in January, but he is high in the weights as a result and has stamina to prove for this kind of test.

Seabass (Ted Walsh/Katie Walsh) represents the same stable as 2000 National winner Papillon, and heads to Aintree on an upward curve too, having won each of his last six starts, the latest one coming in a Grade 2 event over 2m. This marathon trip a completely unknown quantity with him, though.

Shakalakaboomboom (Nicky Henderson/Barry Geraghty) took well to these fences when seventh in the 2011 Topham as a novice and has progressed nicely since then, winning twice prior to finishing a fine second to Calgary Bay at Doncaster in January. Now 5 lb higher in theweights and suitability for this extreme test not guaranteed.

West End Rocker (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) took a luckless exit in 2011 National, but coped fine with these fences when runawaywinner of Becher Chase under very testing conditions in December. Seems sure to stay, though 12 lb higher mark a major concern.

According To Pete (Malcolm Jefferson/Harry Haynes) has been in fine form of late, won valuable handicaps atWetherby and Haydock prior to finishing a good second in Kelso minor event last time (Ballabriggs back in fourth). Needs more improvement now, however.

On His Own (Willie Mullins/Ruby Walsh) confirmed himself a much-improved performer for new stable (formerly with Howard Johnson) when running out a wide-margin winner of Thyestes Chase at Gowran in late-January. Much higher in weights now, however, whilst his jumping hasn't always looked the most assured.

Always Right (John Wade/James Reveley) is a sure-footed jumper who's capable of smart form on his day, including when winning at Kelso on his reappearance. Has undergone a breathing operation since flopping on both starts since, so could well get involved if that's done the trick.

Cappa Bleu (Evan Williams/Paul Moloney) is the 2009 Cheltenham Foxhunter winner who's done well since returning from a lengthy absence this winter, winning at Haydock prior to decent placed efforts at Chepstow (behind Le Beau Bai and Giles Cross) and Ascot (arguably should have won). His strong-travelling style should stand him in good stead at Aintree and very much one for the shortlist.

Rare Bob (Dessie Hughes/Bryan Cooper) doesn't seem quite the force of old this term, despite more encouraging efforts of late, whilst his remote fifth in the Becher Chase back in December suggests he'll have stamina limitations over this trip for all he took pretty well to the fences.

Organisedconfusion (Arthur Moore/Nina Carberry) proved a revelation when upped markedly in trip to win the 2011 Irish National (with Sunnyhillboy back in third). Has kept his powder dry back over shorter (including over hurdles) since then, and remains very much unexposed over marathon trips.

Treacle (Tom Taaffe/Andrew Lynch) is lightly raced, though better than ever this winter and looked well worth trying over this sort of trip when runner-up to Cross Appeal in valuable handicap at Leopardstown over Christmas. Even better formwhen staying-on third in Irish Hennessy there last time and potentially well treated on that effort.

The Midnight Club (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend) didn't take to the course so well as expected when favourite for the 2011 renewal (eventually finished sixth after being hampered four out) and simply hasn't looked at the top of his game this time around, so others preferred.

Mon Mome (Venetia Williams/Aidan Coleman) was the 100/1 winner of the 2009 renewal, but faller at the fifth last twelve months later and it increasingly looks as if he needs everything to fall his way nowadays, so a well-run National could see him getting further back than ideal.

Arbor Supreme (Jonjo O'Neill/Mark Walsh) was a smart chaser in his prime for Willie Mullins, but has promised little in two runs over hurdles for current yard. He has failed to complete in the last two renewals of this race, so others are readily preferred.

Sunnyhillboy (Jonjo O'Neill/Richie McLernon) showed plenty of stamina when third (after a troubled passage) in last year's Irish National and did so again to win the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last month, rallying splendidly to beat Becauseicouldntsee. His jumping isn't the issue it once was and he cannot be ignored from a handicapping viewpoint.

Killyglen (Stuart Crawford/Robbie Power) was still close up when falling four out in last year's National but doesn't always see his races out thoroughly and that tempers enthusiasm here, despite a recent win at Down Royal.

Quiscover Fontaine (Willie Mullins/David Casey) does most of his racing over much shorter trips, though showed decent stamina reserves when fourth in last year's Irish National. Looks plenty high enough in the weights at present and his stable looks to have better options elsewhere.

Tharawaat (Gordon Elliott/Brian O'Connell) was back to his best when winning at Galway in October (2¾m) but has not shown a lot since then, and has stamina to prove here (never raced over further than 3m).

Becauseicouldntsee (Noel Glynn/Davy Condon) is a giant gelding who ticks plenty of boxes for a race such as this, given he's an out-and-out stayer with good recent form to his name (runner-up to Sunnyhillboy at Cheltenham last time). He does, however, have a few falls on his CV, including when crashing out at the second in the 2011 National.

State of Play (Evan Williams/Noel Fehily) is a likeable veteran who's made the frame in each of the last three Grand Nationals, his keeping-on fourth behind Ballabriggs last year coming after a twelve-month absence (which he's had again this time). Now twelve, and feeling is his chance has passed.

Swing Bill (David Pipe/Conor O'Farrell) was an honourable fifth in last year's Topham but didn't seem to enjoy the experience so much when tackling these fences for a second time back in December and relatively easy to oppose here.

Postmaster (Tim Vaughan/Dougie Costello) is a hold-up sort who can find little, but ended a long losing run at Bangor in August (25f) and also landed a 2½m hunter chase at Ludlow recently. He was a first fence faller in the Topham last year, has stamina to prove, and he doesn't look all that well treated at the weights.

Giles Cross (Victor Dartnall/Paddy Brennan) has proved admirably consistent in valuable long-distance handicap chases over the past fifteen months, finishing runner-up twice in the Welsh National as well as winning the Southern National at Fontwell and the Grand National Trial at Haydock this term. His front-running style often suits this race and definitely one to consider should the ground ride soft or heavy.

Midnight Haze (Kim Bailey/Sean Quinlan) is a sure-footed front runner who can boast a decent wins-to-runs ratio in recent seasons, but rather had his limitations exposed in the CheltenhamFestival cross-country chase last time and could also have stamina issues over this trip.

Vic Venturi (Dessie Hughes/Harry Skelton) has endured wretched luck in last two renewals of the Grand National (brought down early last time), but didn't look a natural over these fences even when winning the 2009 Becher and has something to prove after flopping in a hunter chase last time.

In Compliance (Dessie Hughes/Niall Madden) is a veteran who has some classy older form to his name, but finished well behind Killyglen at Down Royal last time and was soundly beaten in this race last year, so makes little appeal.

Viking Blond (Nigel Twiston-Davies/Brian Hughes) received a good ride when making all on chase debut at Chepstow (3m) in October. He showed similar form in his next two starts over that trip, but not in the same form the last twice and lack of experience is a concern.

Hello Bud (Nigel Twiston-Davies/Sam Twiston-Davies) was a game fifth in 2010 Grand National and won Becher back here later that year.Was running another big race prior to unseating at the Canal Turn in latest renewal of the Becher in December, but he's shaped as if old age is catching up with him on most other starts since then.

Neptune Equester (Brian Ellison/Felix de Giles) was suited by the stamina test faced when winning over 3½m at Haydock in November. Not in same form since, however, and others look much likelier racing from 5 lb out of the weights.

Any Currency (Martin Keighley/RESERVE) is a thorough stayer who hasn't seen much action since his last success in November 2009. Has not been at his best this season and makes little appeal from 6 lb out of the handicap.

Our Island (Tim Vaughan/RESERVE) is a point/hurdles winner who stuck to his task when second in a handicap at Haydock in December. Set stiff tasks when below form in cheekpieces on his last 3 starts, though, and 7 lb out of the weights here.

Abbeybraney (George Bewley/RESERVE) has only been seen 5 times since winning a novice for Howard Johnson in December 2009, recording his best effort of season when third in Kelso conditions event latest, but is 9 lb out of the weights here.

Smoking Aces (Tom Taaffe/RESERVE) is a thorough stayer who responded well to blinkers when winning at Fairyhouse (29f) in December. Not in quite the same form since, and is 9 lb out of the handicap with cheekpieces replacing the blinkers.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Cappa Bleu
2. Black Apalachi
3. Neptune Collonges

Timeform View: Trainer Evan Williams and owner William Rucker have been placed in the last three Nationals with State of Play, and their perseverance could be rewarded this year, not by that one but by Cappa Bleu, who has plenty about him to think he'll take to this course and is among the best handicapped in the field, too. Black Apalachi will be ignored by the trends followers given that he's now thirteen, but few are as effective around here as he looks overpriced. Other honourable mentions go to Sunnyhillboy, Neptune Collonges and Organisedconfusion.
...........
Get the Timeform Jury's verdict on today's Aintree BBC races with Timeform TV Focus. Click HERE to find out more about this successful tipping service.

Timeform run the rule over the 2m4f Grade 1 Melling Chase at Aintree on Friday afternoon......

Timeform take a look at a high-quality field for the Grade 1 Aintree Bowl on Thursday......

Timeform run the rule over the runners for the listed Further Flight Stakes, run over a mile and three quarters at Nottingham......

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Grand National: Why you should trust Cheltenham form at Aintree

Features / Simon Rowlands / 09 April 2012 / Leave a Comment

The stats bode well for Synchronised

"And Cheltenham winners fared best of all, having a median performance rating of just 8 below their pre-race master ratings."

Timeform's Head of Research and Development Simon Rowlands explains why Cheltenham form should be trusted this week and offers a couple of value bets on the Aintree "Specials" markets...

I am not a great believer in tradition on the whole. But it has its uses, and the predictable traditions of racing are something that can at least be turned to the punter's advantage.

The Grand National is not what it once was - there are no brick walls these days for a start - and I for one am pleased of that fact. But changes have tended to come gradually, and changes to Aintree's overall Grand National meeting have come more gradually still.

As a result, it is possible to come to such an occasion cold but with a good general idea of what to expect, as tradition ensures that history should hold some valuable lessons for us.

One of those lessons is the ability - or otherwise - of horses who ran well at the Cheltenham Festival to follow up just a few weeks later. Plenty have failed, and received wisdom might have you imagine that Aintree is a graveyard for horses coming on from the Cheltenham Festival. It is not.

The ever-readable James Pyman in Racing Post made this very point recently, concluding "since 2005, simply backing runners at Aintree who had posted a top-three finish at the Cheltenham festival on their previous outings would have led to 43 winners from 224 bets and a £1 level-stake profit of £37.89".

This tallies with my own findings, though stats can be distorted by the means of measurement employed, so I decided to have a closer look at the records from just the last three years.

"Actual against expected performance", as judged by a comparison between a horse's Timeform master rating pre-race and its Timeform performance rating in the race itself, provides further compelling evidence.

Horses that had last run at the Cheltenham Festival performed marginally better at Aintree than those that had come by a different route (median of 19 below and 22 below expectation respectively).

Those that had finished in the first three last time at Cheltenham fared better still (median of 14 below expectation). And Cheltenham winners fared best of all, having a median performance rating of just 8 below their pre-race master ratings. That is much better than for the wider horse population.

This has not been reflected fully in those horses' odds, either. A variable stake at Betfair SP (that is, more is theoretically staked on shorter-priced horses than on outsiders, thus limiting the effect of "fluke" events) saw Cheltenham winners handsomely in profit. Cheltenham runners-up sneaked into the black also.

Cheltenham and Aintree present rather different tests for horses, and this factor should not be ignored. But, otherwise, there is little evidence to support the contention that a good run at the former can be expected to compromise the chance of a good run at the latter.

And that could well be even more the case this year than usual, with an extra week's break between the two occasions.

..........
Tradition and history also make it easier to tackle special bets at the marquee events, as anyone who has done so at Cheltenham should appreciate.

There are just two such markets up on Betfair at the time of writing - Longest Winning SP and Winning Distance (Odds) - but they both make plenty of appeal to my mind.

The below table shows the history of these markets this century, with winning margins adjusted to allow for differences in means of returning those margins and a small increase in the number of races (there will be 21 again at this year's Aintree Grand National meeting).

With the going currently forecast to be "Good, Good to soft in places on the Grand National course", the years since 2002 seem to be our best guide to win margins.

Crunching the numbers led me to estimate a cumulative figure over the three days of around 112 lengths, which is comfortably inside the highest category available (over 105 lengths).

Frequencies of win odds this century were: 229 at under 33/1; 14 at 33/1 to 50/1; and 3 (all of which came in 2009) at over 50/1. This implies a probability of around 55% that the highest winning SP will fall into the middle - 33/1 to 50/1 - range which has provided the "winner" in 10 of those 12 years.

Special bets proved to be a nice money-spinner for followers of this blog at Cheltenham. Here's hoping that, like some of the equine protagonists, we can also back up our efforts from there!

Recommendations

Back "33/1 to 50/1 inclusive longest winning SP" 3 pts at [2.0] or longer
Back "more than 105 lengths cumulative winning margins" 2 pts at [2.0] or longer

The victory of the Donald McCain-trained Ballabriggs in last year's Grand National allowed Trevor Hemmings the opportunity to fully take in winning the world's greatest chase......

The Grand National is renowned for vast amounts of money being wagered across the country, with huge gambles being part of the folklore and romance surrounding the world's most famous chase......

Prior to last year, Jason Maguire had almost seemed destined to join jockeys such as Jamie Goldstein, Tom Jenks and Andy Adams who all missed out on their one real chance of glory in the Grand National....

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Grand National: McCain love affair with Aintree lives on

Features / Timeform / 01 April 2012 / Leave a Comment

Can Ballabriggs defend his title?

""It goes without saying that, if there is one race that we would always choose to win, it would be the Grand National."

The McCain family have long held a certain affiliation with Aintree and the victory of Ballabriggs in the 2011 renewal of the Grand National marked their fifth win in the contest...

Donald McCain had not yet turned three years old when Red Rum mowed down Crisp in the dying strides of the 1973 Grand National to record the first of four victories in the World's most famous steeplechase for the late Ginger McCain, but that victory, and what was to occur across the course of the next four years, ensured the McCain family entered Grand National folklore.

Red Rum would go on to land another Grand National victory the following year, before finishing second in 1975 and 1976, and then becoming the only horse in the history of the race to win three times when completing the hat-trick in 1977.

Since then, no horse has managed to complete the double, let alone the treble, with Willie Mullins' Gold Cup runner-up Hedgehunter coming closest of those to have tried; falling when in the lead at the final fence in 2004, before posting a victory 12 months later, and then finishing in second place behind Numbersixvalverde in 2006.

Coincidentally it was the 2004 Grand National where Hedgehunter's final fence departure paved the way for Ginger McCain to claim his fourth and final Grand National success as Amberleigh House finished from a mile back to outstay Clan Royal and Lord Atterbury in the final furlong.

That victory acted as a catalyst for the McCain stable, as the yard began to grow in strength, and Donald took over the reins from his father in 2006. Idle Talk became the trainer's first National runner when failing to complete the course the following year, before finishing 14th and 12th in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

Unlike his father, Donald's priorities have not always been races over the National fences, with the likes of Cloudy Lane and Whiteoak providing the young trainer with his first taste of success at the Cheltenham Festival within the first couple of years of him taking out his license.

Cloudy Lane also went on to represent McCain three times in the National, sent off the join-favourite and finishing sixth in 2008, before failing to complete in 2009, and finally finishing eighth in 2010.

At around the same time the stable also began to attract new owners such as Tim Leslie, and his association with the yard has delivered exceptional results in recent seasons, with the likes of Peddlers Crossand Overturn the flag bearers. The former was the winner of big prizes at both the Cheltenahm and Aintree Festivals in 2010, whilst the latter has demonstrated an admirable and consistent attitude for the yard, picking up various prizes over hurdles as well as the 2011 renewal of the Chester Cup on the Flat.

Seven years after his father's final Aintree victory, Donald managed to ensure there was another McCain on the Grand National roll of honour, completing his finest training performance to date by saddling Ballabriggs to victory in the 2011 renewal. Ballbriggs gave owner Trevor Hemmings his second National in six years with Hedgehunter having scored in 2005.

The Grand National had long been the plan for Ballabriggs who was touted as a possible Aintree candidate when first joining the yard, with the ten-year-old gelding recording a two-and-a-quarter length victory from Oscar Time, the runner-up ridden by Gold Cup winning-amateur Sam Waley-Cohen.

"You never expect to win a Grand National but we expected Ballabriggs to run very well and we always thought that he would take to the place," said McCain.

"There was a little question mark over him getting the trip and you never know how they are going to cope with Aintree until they run there. It was smashing when it came off because we had been aiming him there for a long time.

"It goes without saying that, if there is one race that we would always choose to win, it would be the Grand National.

"It was smashing to do it for Mr Hemmings with a horse who we had thought might be an Aintree horse for so many years because he has put a lot of faith in us.

"From the moment that Ballabriggs came into the yard, we always hoped that he would be an Aintree horse one day - it was literally that long in the planning. The way he did everything meant that we always had the Grand National in the back of the mind and that's what made winning it all the more special."

The target for Ballabriggs and Donald McCain this season has always been to recapture the same prize, a feat that would mean all the more after Ginger McCain's death in September of last year.

Ballabriggs has had just the one outing this season, finishing fourth in his preparation run over an inadequate two miles and six furlongs at Kelso where he shaped as if in great need of the outing. Ballabriggs looks likely to carry 11-09 (top weight of 11-10 if Synchronised doesn't run) on his defence mission, with the recent statistics seemingly against horses carrying such weights.

Aintree is a unique course that only certain horses take to. Red Rum did so spectacularly and it's not difficult to envisage Ballabriggs going very close to retaining his title in 2012.

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Read all the latest Grand National news, tips and features on betting.betfair.

Timeform's Adam Brookes discusses the obstacles that stand in the way of the 40 runners and riders who'll line up for the 2012 Aintree Grand National on April 14......

Timeform's Adam Brookes delves into the history books and reports his findings on the world's most famous steeplechase, the Grand National at Aintree......

Fresh from compiling a similar piece for the Cheltenham Festival, Timeform's Adam Brookes provides his A to Z for one of his favourite races in the whole calendar, the Aintree Grand National......

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Grand National Course Guide: No sitting on the fence at Aintree

Features / Adam Brookes / 01 April 2012 / Leave a Comment

Carnage at Becher's Brook in 2004

"Becher's Brook has provided the opponents of the National with some of their most effective ammunition over the years..."

Timeform's Adam Brookes discusses the obstacles that stand in the way of the 40 runners and riders who'll line up for the 2012 Aintree Grand National on April 14...

The Grand National is run over four miles and four furlongs and horses are asked to jump a total of 30 fences. Recent safety changes saw the height of the toe-boards on all fences increased to 14 inches, while the obstacles, which have always been twice as wide for the National as those on most other tracks, can all now be bypassed, as was proved in trying circumstances last year.

Upon the tapes going up, the runners cross the Melling Road for the first time and charge to the first, the adrenaline rush often the reason for the fence's high proportion of fallers; Gay Trip (in 1971), Aldaniti (1982) and Hallo Dandy (1985) all got caught out there when defending their titles.

The runners then take in Fence No 2, known as The Fan after a mare who repeatedly refused there in the 19th century, and jump three more before they reach the first renowned stumbling block, the notorious Becher's Brook.

Becher's Brook (No 6 & 22 - 4ft 10in fence) has provided the opponents of the National with some of their most effective ammunition over the years, the death of housewife's choice Dark Ivy at the fence in 1987 one of the most notable. Corrections were made to Becher's ahead of the 1990 running, namely the brook being partly filled in and the bank on the landing side being regraded, and further modifications were undertaken prior to the 2005 race, the ditch on the landing side fitted with a wooden cover and non-slip rubber to make it impossible for horses to fall back into the ditch. There have been only two Grand National fatalities at this fence since the 1990 modifications, Dooney's Gate unfortunately one of them 12 months ago.

Foinavon (No 7 & 23 - 4ft 6in fence), which of course got its name thanks to the carnage sparked by the riderless Popham Down in 1967, is the joint-smallest of the standard National fences. Having scaled the heights of Becher's it's not uncommon for horses and jockeys to get caught out being casual at Foinavon, anticipating another drop on the landing side.

Jockey's cutting the 90° angle of Canal Turn (No 8 & 24 - 5ft fence) is one of the most iconic Grand National sights but the fence often provides plenty of problems. Dual Gold Cup winner Easter Hero famously stood too far off the jump in 1928, his hanging on the fence causing a spectacular pile-up amongst the 41 horses behind, while third-fence unseat Paddy's Return took out 10 at the same spot in 2001. The 'catching pen' on the outside of Canal Turn has proved notably successful in preventing loose horses continuing back onto the main racecourse since its introduction ahead of the 2010 race.

Valentine's Brook (No 9 & 25 - ditch behind 5ft fence), formerly known as the Second Brook, comes up directly after Canal Turn and requires a good leap. Valentine's has been relatively drama free in recent times, though Ballycassidy came a right cropper there in 2006 (see picture) and Plaisir d'Estruval and Prudent Honour both met their demise after jumping Valentine's in the Topham Chase of 2010. Ballabriggs made his only mistake when winning last year at Valentine's second time round.

Three plain fences, a ditch, an open ditch, and the Melling Road follow on the first circuit before runners come face-to-face with The Chair.

The Chair (No 15 - 5ft 2in fence, 11ft spread), along with the upcoming Water Jump, are the only two impediment's scaled once, both being take on the first circuit. Although it takes some jumping, The Chair generally isn't as dangerous as its 'tallest fence on the course' status suggests, it's lengthy approach possibly a reason for only 14 horses succumbing to it in the 18 years since the void National of '93. That said, the fence has caught out numerous previous winners over the years, including Russian Hero, Ayala and Rubstic, while Silver Birch fell in the race a year prior to winning the 2007 edition.

The Water Jump (No 16 - 3ft 6in fence, 12ft 6in spread) is situated directly in front of the stands and, as the only fence less than 4ft 6in in height, is the smallest obstacle on course. The Water Jump is not usually responsible for many casualties, though it was the scene of Foinavon being brought down when defending his title in 1968.

And so, having successfully flew/clambered over 30 fences of the finest Lake District spruce, those still left in contention are left to run straight and true down the famous Aintree 'elbow'.

However, as we all know, the winner can never be crowned until crossing the line, with the 1956 collapse of the Queen Mother's Devon Loch perhaps the most famous reversal. A weary Crisp snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in '73, while Gold Cup hero Garrison Savannah treaded an ocean in the closing stages of the '91 renewal, with What's Up Boys (2002) and Clan Royal (2004) both suffering similar fates in recent times.

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Read all the latest Grand National news, tips and features on betting.betfair.

The McCain family have long held a certain affiliation with Aintree and the victory of Ballabriggs in the 2011 renewal of the Grand National marked their fifth win in the contest......

Timeform's Adam Brookes delves into the history books and reports his findings on the world's most famous steeplechase, the Grand National at Aintree......

Fresh from compiling a similar piece for the Cheltenham Festival, Timeform's Adam Brookes provides his A to Z for one of his favourite races in the whole calendar, the Aintree Grand National......

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Donald McCain: Ballabriggs bang on course for Aintree

Donald McCain / Donald McCain / 30 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Ballabriggs is on course to defend his Grand National crown.

"as well as Overturn, I would think that the likes of Absinthe, Sud Pacifique, Constant Contact and Bourne will all end up running on the Flat at some stage....."

Another steady week for the McCain team as attentions turn to Aintree......and, whisper it, the Flat season.

There's a bit of a lull between Cheltenham and Aintree and we have a quiet weekend lined up, albeit there are a couple who look to have decent chances.

Things have carried on nicely this week with a few more winners and the horses seem to be holding their form very well, despite some of them having been kept very busy.

We're up to 137 winners for the year now which is certainly beyond any expectations I had at the start of the season.

We look to have a strong team building up for Aintree, even with Cinders And Ashes now missing the meeting, and it's a track at which I am obviously very keen to do well at.

Ballabriggs was the star of the show last year and things are ticking over nicely with him at home. I had been keen to give him another racecourse gallop between Kelso and the National but, with the weather as it has been, there haven't really been any suitable opportunities.

He's doing plenty of work at home though and I couldn't be happier with him in the build up - we'll just keep chipping away and hopefully we will get him there in the same form as last year.

I was asked the other day if I was likely to be keeping many going on the Flat through the summer. It's not something I have tended to do in the past - I know Overturn has been a star - but we have quite a few 85+ rated Flat horses and, reluctantly, I might have to have more of a look this time round!

There will be a few of them kept on the go - as well as Overturn, I would think that the likes of Absinthe, Sud Pacifique, Constant Contact and Bourne will all end up running on the Flat at some stage.

They won't be running for the sake of running, but if the right race pops up at the big meetings, they will be there to take their chance.

Cheltenham Festival winner Cinders And Ashes will bypass Aintree....

Donald has one of his leading juvenile hurdlers in action at Hexham on Sunday....

Donald has a strong team in action at his local track on Saturday....

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Grand National Betting: Synchronised team mull Aintree

News / Timeform / 17 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Synchronised and A P McCoy were victorious in the Gold Cup

"The nine-year-old powered up the Cheltenham hill to win the Betfred-sponsored feature by just over two lengths..."

Connections of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Synchronised have not ruled out a crack at next month's John Smith's Grand National at Aintree...

The nine-year-old powered up the Cheltenham hill to win the Betfred-sponsored feature by just over two lengths on Friday in the hands of Tony McCoy.

Previously a winner of the Welsh Grand National, the Midlands Grand National and this year's Lexus Chase, Synchronised would shoulder top weight of 11st 10lb at Aintree on April 14.

However, while trainer Jonjo O'Neill has not dismissed the possibility of running, he is keen to see how the horse recovers from his exertions before mapping out a plan.

O'Neill said: "He looks OK. He's in the National but it's too early to say at the moment. I'll have to have a conversation with Frank Berry (racing manager for owner JP McManus).

"We will probably have more of an idea how he's come out of the race after the weekend. He's eaten up and he's looking well."

Around 100 local people were on hand to view Synchronised as he paraded around the main yard at O'Neill's Jackdaws Castle base on Saturday morning.

Just a few miles from Cheltenham racecourse, Synchronised was sporting his Gold Cup winner's rug as O'Neill reflected on a meeting that had also seen him score with Alfie Sherrin and Sunnyhillboy earlier in the week.

"Almost all the horses ran very well all week and I have to credit the staff. They work so many long hours and if you're paid by the hour in this game, you'd be skint," he said.

"If you'd talked to me last week I would have been cutting my throat because I'd had a few horses run badly during the week and I was worrying about it.

"It's been the sort of week you dream of and you don't think it will happen."

O'Neill rode Dawn Run to Gold Cup victory back in 1986 but Synchronised is his first winner of the blue riband as a trainer.

The Sadler's Wells gelding was also a first winner for McManus and O'Neill admitted the celebrations had carried on late into the night.

He said: "We were at the racecourse for quite a long time and in the weighing room for even longer!

"Then we went off to the Ellenborough Park Hotel where everyone was staying and we were there for a long time.

"I can't remember much after that but I laid down for a couple of hours, but I was still riding the race and thinking about it."

McCoy was landing his second Gold Cup with his first win having come aboard Mr Mulligan in 1997 and he hailed the determination of Synchronised.

He said: "The race is the pinnacle of our sport and it's such a difficult race to win.
"Since I won it last time I've been placed but I've been riding against amazing horses like Best Mate and Denman.

"He's a horse who's got an enormous heart, even though he doesn't have the stature or the presence.

"I realise how difficult it is (to win the race). I probably won my first at 22 and you would think it was easy, but you realise that you've got no divine right to win horse races."

Synchronised is currently available to back at [28.0] for the Grand National, with Prince de Beauchene currently heading the market at [11.0], the Willie Mullins raider considered 12lbs superior to his nearest rival based on Timeform weight-adjusted ratings.

Timeform weight-adjusted Grand National ratings:
193 Prince de Beauchene
181 Sunnyhillboy
179 Burton Port
179 Synchronised

........
Race Passes subscribers already enjoy access to our ratings, form & in-play data. And now there's more - we've added a list of Horses In Focus, last 3 runs on the meeting summary & coverage of big races abroad. And all for the same price!

Owner Clive Smith is "90% sure" the great Kauto Star, who reached a Timeform Rating of 191 in his peak, will be retired after he was pulled up in Friday's Cheltenham Gold Cup with over a circuit to run......

Nicky Henderson completed a brilliant week at the Cheltenham Festival on Friday, with Bellvano marking his seventh winner of the National Hunt showpiece when taking the final race......

Synchronised landed a dramatic Cheltenham Gold Cup in the hands of champion jockey AP McCoy, rewarding antepost backers at the maximum price on Betfair......

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Irish Weekend Review: Prince on course for Aintree

Weekend Preview/Review / Timeform / 28 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Graham Wylie: Owner of Prince de Beauchene.

"Prince de Beauchene looks the outstanding candidate for the National at this point..."

Naas and Fairyhouse provided the Irish action this weekend, and we cast our eyes over some interesting horses for the weeks ahead, including the new favourite for the Grand National...

The opener at Fairyhouse was a Grade 2 juvenile hurdle which saw the debut of the much-heralded Minsk, who was so progressive on the Flat for John Oxx last autumn. In the event it was a rather underwhelming start as he went down by a neck to Burrenbridge Lodge, with Bat Masterson close up in third, but he was reportedly found to be suffering from a throat infection post race and will now head back to John Oxx's yard to race on the Flat before returning for a novice hurdle campaign next term. He may well have prevailed here anyway with slicker jumps at the last two flights, but on the downside the pair he split look exposed and no better than useful.

The feature event on the card was the Bobbyjo Chase over an extended three miles. This has been used as a stepping stone towards the Grand National in recent years and Prince de Beauchene was justifiably shortened (now trading at [9.8]) for the Aintree showpiece after an impressive 6 length victory over Black Apalachi.

He jumped well on the whole (only mistake at the fifth), took over two out and eased clear from there, value plenty more than the winning margin. He's still lightly raced, especially for this yard, and looks the outstanding candidate for the National at this point. Black Apalachi was returning from nearly two years on the sidelines so this has to go down as a pleasing display, but while he has an excellent record over the National fences a mark of 154 looks very harsh given that he is now well into the veteran stage of his career.

Sunday's card at Naas also threw up a Grand National contender as Seabass made it six wins on the bounce in the two-mile Grade 2 chase in spite of the trip. In truth it wasn't a strong race for the grade, with Tranquil Sea seemingly a shadow of his former self and Saludos hard to place with his Grade 2 penalty, but Seabass did show a cracking attitude to get back up and win by a length from Zaarito, who is on the comeback trail after an injury-lagued couple of years. Seabass will warrant respect at Aintree, certain to be 'well in' to an extent after this, though on a cautionary note his jumping isn't always foot perfect and he's yet to try beyond three miles.

The other graded action on the card saw wins for Rathlin and Felix Yonger. Rathlin produced another fine display of jumping to defeat Shot From The Hip by eight and a half lengths in the Woodlands Park 100 Club Nas Na Riogh Novice Chase over two and a half miles. He's set to bypass Cheltenham this term, but the Powers Gold Cup is reportedly on the agenda and he'll look well worth his place at that higher level, such is the impression created since he underwent a breathing operation and was fitted with a tongue strap.

Felix Yonger overcame the drop back to two miles in the novice hurdle half an hour later and continued the fine run being enjoyed by Graham Wylie-owned horses who have moved from Howard Johnson to Willie Mullins, the overall record of the quartet who have made it to the track now seven out of ten. Felix Yonger has the scope for further progression, too, but one of the Grade 1 novices at Cheltenham will require a marked step up for him to get competitive, while his target remains up in the air, so he makes little appeal for ante-post betting purposes.

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Timeform ratings are in fine form! Among 5 top-rated winners at Kempton on Saturday was Nacarat (BSP [5.58]). Click HERE for today's cards & ratings.

Timeform review a weekend featuring a win for Nacarat in the Racing Plus Chase at Kempton alongside a whole host of Cheltenham pointers......

Timeform preview an weekend that includes some last-minute Cheltenham Festival trials at Kempton and Grand National trials at both Newcastle and Fairyhouse......

Timeform look back at a weekend featuring a winning return for Riverside Theatre in the Betfair Ascot Chase, a double for Donald McCain on the Ascot card and a battling victory for Giles Cross in Haydock's Grand National Trial......

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Timeform Daily: Becher Chase, Saturday, Aintree 14:10

Race of the Day / Timeform / 02 December 2011 / Leave a Comment

Can Hello Bud secure back-to-back Becher Chase wins over the National fences?

"Last year's winner Hello Bud went with all his old zest before fading on his reappearance and should make a bold bid to defend his crown, but this looks a stronger renewal and preference is for Niche Market, who jumped with plenty of exuberance over these fences in the Grand National and will be sharper for a recent run."

The Becher Chase over the Grand National fences is the highlight at Aintree on Saturday afternoon. Timeform take you through the runners...

Mad Max was as good as ever last term, not beaten far in 2½m Grade 1 event on the Mildmay course in April, but stamina to prove first try over these unique fences on first run since leaving Nicky Henderson.

Rare Bob handled these fences well when third in John Smith's Chase in 2010. Unseated 2 out on return visit here in April and sure to be sharper for recent comeback at Down Royal last month.

Niche Market jumped superbly at head of affairs until running out of gas 2 out when fifth in this year's Grand National. Will be straighter for a recent run and very much respected at this more suitable trip.

Swing Bill has been better than ever of late, following up 3m Cheltenham win with fine third at Ascot last month. Coped well with these fences only previous try, so no reason to think he won't make presence felt.

Always Waining is a dab hand over these fences, posting a career best when winning Topham for second year running in April. Stays this far and couple of spins over hurdles sure to have put an edge on him.

West End Rocker improved when landing a couple of staying handicaps last season. Unfortunate when brought down at Becher's in Grand National afterwards, but dismal reappearance run tempers any enthusiasm.

Merchant Paddy was a useful chaser at best, but lightly raced and little form since 2008/9. Debatable whether this test will prove suitable on first try beyond 23f.

Hello Bud is a bold-jumping front runner who responded gamely when capturing this prize last year. Went with all his old zest before fading on recent return and hard to leave out of the equation again.

Nicto de Beauchene got back on the up when landing a 3m Sandown handicap in January. Cemented improvement in blinkers when runner-up at Bangor last month, but has no previous experience over these obstacles.

Abbeybraney got off the mark at eighth chasing attempt for Howard Johnson at Hexham (3m) 2 years ago, but not seen since March 2010 and plenty to prove on first assault over the National fences for new yard.

Max Bygraves took another step in the right direction when wide-margin winner of a 2½m Huntingdon handicap in October. Hiked up in the weights as a result, though, and this an entirely different test.

Shalimar Fromentro showed useful form when opening chasing account at Warwick (3m) in January. Demoted for interference when first past post at Auteuil last month, but lack of experience likely to count against him here.

Another Palm is a winning hurdler/chaser who has run well when twice finding one too good over marathon trips 2 of last 3 starts over fences (blinkered latest), but more required on first try over these fences.

Pak Jack gained first win in 6 years when scoring at Wetherby (25f) in February. Run well over this course in the past, but cheekpieces need to enable him to put a lacklustre reappearance behind him.

Ballyvesey coped well with these fences when fourth in this race last year. Better than ever during a productive spell earlier in the year, but miles below par since returning from a break in October.

Timeform 1-2-3
1. Niche Market
2. Swing Bill
3. Always Waining

Timeform Verdict: Last year's winner Hello Bud went with all his old zest before fading on his reappearance and should make a bold bid to defend his crown, but this looks a stronger renewal and preference is for Niche Market, who jumped with plenty of exuberance over these fences in the Grand National and will be sharper for a recent run. Swing Bill and Always Waining complete the shortlist.
............
The Timeform Jury were in great form in November, with 13 individual winners at up to 10/1 and 58% profit on stakes*. Click HERE to find out more.

*At advised prices to recommended stakes.

Timeform preview a fascinating Grade 2 novices' hurdle at Sandown on Friday......

Timeform take a look at an interesting beginners' chase at Wincanton on Thursday......

Timeform provide a runner-by-runner guide to this 1m4f Listed race at Kempton......

Betfair website

Aintree Placepot: Thursday April 7

Daily Tipping / Harry Bowles / 07 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

High fashion and top racing collide at Aintree over the next few days.

"Denman has... only had two starts this season to date and it goes completely against the grain to imagine some wholly unconvincing rivals can upset him today."

Day one of the Aintree Festival sees top-class racing take centre stage. The horses may as well take their opportunity to strut their stuff, because I'll be off to Ladies Day tomorrow, and the action on the track can sometimes go unnoticed given the sights on offer off the track

14:00 - In his eleven straight wins over hurdles the otherwise imperious Big Buck's has never been as unimpressive as when defeating Souffleur and the reopposing Possol in this race twelve months ago. Whether that warrants opposing him is another matter altogether, however, and it's impossible to envisage a scenario that sees him finishing outside of the first three.

14:30 - Zarkandar is sure to be another Nicholls-trained hotpot in the juvenile which follows, and we have to ask ourselves the same question. Grandouet ran very well to finish third to Zarkandar in the Triumph at Cheltenham and, though it's a slight niggle that he might have endured a harder race there than some of those to finish around him having been up there from the outset, he's taken alongside Zarkandar to get us through. The only reason for not singling Zarkandar is that, after just two lifetime starts, he hasn't had the opportunity to prove himself as reliable as Big Buck's!

15:05 - I'm backing Denman to win the totesport Bowl outright, so it would be disingenuous of me to field against him here. I think an odds-against price represents plenty of value about a horse so far clear of his rivals in form terms and is only available because of concerns about him giving his running three weeks on from Cheltenham. That said, I think he would have won this race two years ago but for falling in the straight, whereas twelve months ago he was patently unsuited by the demands of right-handed Punchestown. He's only had two starts this season to date and it goes completely against the grain to imagine some wholly unconvincing rivals can upset him today.

15:40 - We're fortunate to have had the opportunity to keep lines low to date, because we're going to have to go mob-handed into the Fox Hunters'. Baby Run is the best of these and would have most likely made it back-to-back wins in the big one at Cheltenham but for jolting away Will Twiston-Davis two out. He does have a tendency for mistakes, something which cost him in this race last season, but he'd taken well to the test before that and will surely be involved in the finish if getting round. Beyond him, we're siding with last year's first and second Silver Adonis and Moncadou, Heron's Well and Kilty Storm.

16:15 - Leo's Lucky Star is probably the best starting-off point after his good run at Cheltenham and, fresher than most, looks sure to be on the premises. Woolcombe Folly is still very much respected on his fine previous form, but after running so poorly in the Champion Chase last month he's not one for our purposes. Instead, I'm Delilah makes more appeal after her return to form at Doncaster five weeks ago. She remains reasonably treated and is sure to give it a good go from the front.

16:50 - Beaten favourites at Cheltenham, Wishfull Thinking and Medermit arrive at Aintree looking for compensation. The pair face something of an unknown quantity in the shape of Royal Charm, but it would be a major surprise if at least one failed to finish in the first two, the former with the better form, the latter sure to be suited by the extra half mile.

Selections:

40 lines

14:00: 1
14:30: 1,10
15:05: 2
15:40: 1,10,14,18,21
16:15: 6,8
16:50: 5,6

Get the Timeform Jury's selections for all Aintree races shown on the BBC this week with Timeform TV Focus. Click HERE to find out more about this successful tipping service.

Rory Delargy joins Paul Jacobs for day one of Aintree's Grand National Meeting, and outlines his thoughts on today's card below....

David Stewart has scoured the stats to find some lively betting angles for Thursday at Aintree......

Day one of this year's Grand National meeting is being billed as "Liverpool Day" with The Farm booked to perform live after racing. It's a case of insert your own pun after an intro like that, so Altogether Now as RUK analyst Graham Cunningham gets on the Groovy Train in search of a winner or two to set things rolling....

Betfair website

Timeform Radio Aintree Tips: Star turn on day one?

Daily Tipping / Rory Delargy / 07 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Aintree is set for an exciting afternoon of racing

"Everything about Megastar suggests he can improve again over a course and distance which should suit him to a ‘T’."

Rory Delargy joins Paul Jacobs for day one of Aintree's Grand National Meeting, and outlines his thoughts on today's card below.

Best bet on day one of Aintree comes in the final race where Gary Moore's Megastar can follow the pattern of last year when he landed the Grade 2 bumper here having finished a promising fifth at Cheltenham. This year, he showed his best hurdle form when fifth in the Baring Bingham behind First Lieutenant, and everything about him suggests he can improve again over a course and distance which should suit him to a 'T'.

The handicapper looks to have underrated him slightly and, with better to come, he can beat a field of more exposed handicappers. In terms of dangers, nothing could be darker than the Paul Nicholls-trained Sire Collonges, but he may find a lack of experience counting against him. Orsippus, like the selection, followed a placed effort at Cheltenham with a graded success here last season, and looks as big a threat as any.

I've long been a fan of I'm Delilah, who lines up in the Red Rum Handicap Chase at 16:15. Ferdy Murphy's mare has shown her best form at Doncaster, and I'm hopeful that this similar circuit will suit her front-running style. She's out of the weights due to the presence of Woolcombe Folly (who looks the main danger to me), but a look back to last season shows that she was beaten just a nose by that rival in a Grade 2 chase in receipt of only 3 lb.

She gets lumps of weight from that rival now, and while he's improved since, there's no reason why she can't do better herself in just her second season. It's also worth pointing out that even in defeat, she's traded very short in running and should appeal to both each way backers and back-to-lay players alike.

Bubbling under on an excellent card are Turko in the Foxhunters with the excellent Sam Waley-Cohen on board, and Denman, for whom concerns about a hard race in the Gold Cup have been overplayed by the market makers. 'The Tank' looks more reliable than his rivals, with the exception of the tough-as-teak Carole's Legacy.

Recommended Bets
Back Megastar in the 17:25 Aintree @ [9.6] (NAP)
Back I'm Delilah in the 16:15 Aintree @ [12.5] (NB)

Day one of the Aintree Festival sees top-class racing take centre stage. The horses may as well take their opportunity to strut their stuff, because I'll be off to Ladies Day tomorrow, and the action on the track can sometimes go unnoticed given the sights on offer off the track...

David Stewart has scoured the stats to find some lively betting angles for Thursday at Aintree......

Day one of this year's Grand National meeting is being billed as "Liverpool Day" with The Farm booked to perform live after racing. It's a case of insert your own pun after an intro like that, so Altogether Now as RUK analyst Graham Cunningham gets on the Groovy Train in search of a winner or two to set things rolling....

Betfair website