Aintree Bowl tips and odds: Thursday April 13
The Alder Hey Aintree Bowl Chase is one of four Grade 1 races on the first day of the Grand National meeting. Run over 3m 1f, the field jump 19 fences at the Merseyside racecourse.
Just five horses are now contesting this year’s renewal today after the withdrawal last night of champion trainer Paul Nicholls’s Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Bravemansgame.
Former 2m star Shishkin will be stepping up to this trip for the first time in his career. The 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner A Plus Tard is over from Ireland to take part, while Ahoy Senor will be looking for more Aintree glory after his victory in a novice contest at this meeting 12 months ago.
Aintree, 2.55 Thursday – Aintree Bowl 2023 odds
Odds are courtesy of Betfred, correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Aintree Bowl betting predictions
Selection: Ahoy Senor @ 11/4 with Betfred
Next best: Shishkin @ 5/2 with Betfred
Odds correct at time of publishing and may be subject to change.
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Ahoy Senor could be set for more Aintree success
Talented chaser AHOY SENOR produced one of his best performances over fences so far at this meeting 12 months ago when he prevailed in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase. He beat a strong field that included Bravemansgame, Fury Road and L’Homme Presse.
This year’s Aintree Festival could be memorable for trainer Lucinda Russell, as she also has a great chance of winning the Grand National. Before the big feature on Saturday, her yard would be given a big boost if Ahoy Senor were to win this Grade 1. He needs to bounce back from a fall at Cheltenham last month, but the horse is reportedly in fine form coming into this race.
With Bravemansgame out of the contest, this now represents a great opportunity for the Scottish-trained horse. He is likely to make the running, and if he puts in a round of jumping like he did in 2022 he will take some passing.
Champion jockey Brian Hughes has been booked in the saddle and this would be a well-deserved success at the highest level for the man who looks set for a third championship triumph this month.
Selection: Ahoy Senor @ 11/4 with Betfred
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Shishkin may appreciate this tougher test now
When SHISHKIN was pulled up in the 2022 Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, there were concerns about whether we would see him on a racecourse again.
Fortunately, not only has he recovered from his injuries, but he was back to his very best in the Ascot Chase this season, scoring in the 2m 5f contest in emphatic style.
Nicky Henderson’s runner was fancied to follow up that performance with success in the Ryanair Chase. But the race at the Festival did not pan out very well for the Seven Barrows chaser. He made a couple of errors over the fences, but despite all that did run on strongly up the hill to finish second behind Envoi Allen.
A step up to this 3m 1f trip may be exactly what this horse needs at this stage of his career. It will take the pressure off his jumping, and as he showed at Prestbury Park he is finishing his races strongly.
The nine-year-old won at this meeting in 2021 just a month after his Arkle Trophy victory. He is the second-highest-rated horse in the field behind A Plus Tard, and the ground will suit him. Success here for the former 2m star may be enough to convince his connections to target the Cheltenham Gold Cup next time.
Selection: Shishkin @ 5/2 with Betfred
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