Aintree Festival: Day One Preview, Odds, Tips and Predictions
Renowned Horse Racing Tipster and Journalist Ed Quigley, aka ‘Longshot Ted’ offers up his best bets for the opening day of the 2023 Grand National Meeting at Aintree.
Thursday Selections:
- 13:45 Saint Roi, Manifesto Novices’ Steeplechase, win bet365
- 14:25 Sarsons Risk, Juvenile Hurdle, e/w William Hill
- 14:55 Ahoy Senor win, Ga Law, Aintree Bowl Steeplechase, e/w Spreadex
- 16:40 The Last Day, Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Steeplechase, e/w kwiff
- 17:15 She’s A Fine Wine, Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat, e/w Parimatch
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Manifesto Novices’ Steeplechase 13:45 BST
Just the five go to post, with antepost market leader Jonbon the surprise omission from the Manifesto Novices’ Chase. Banbridge swerved Cheltenham on account of the ground being too soft, and comes here instead as a fresh horse. He has solid claims, but connections will be nervous about the weather forecast which has already seen the ground turn Good to Soft, and there is the prospect of more rain on the way.
Stage Star was excellent at the Cheltenham Festival when landing the Turners’, and is sure to go well again for the Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden combination. However, I wonder if this could just play into the hands of SAINT ROI, for the Willie Mullins yard. He was far from disgraced when third to El Fabiolo in the Arkle, and he has shaped on more than one occasion that this step up to 2m4f will suit him. He goes on any ground and gets the nod from me.
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Juvenile Hurdle – 14:20 BST
We have 11 declared for the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle, and this looks fairly wide-open in my view. Zenta is sure to be popular on the back of finishing third in the Triumph Hurdle, but there are plenty of others in here with chances. Nusret would have been my main selection, but I am just a bit nervous with the amount of rain that is falling at the track – the more that does, the lesser his chance, for all I think that a flat track and this scenario will really suit him. I am going to give a small each-way nod to the Ben Brookhouse trained SARSONS RISK.
He is largely untested with cut in the ground but has looked a smart prospect in his brief career over Hurdles. He waltzed home on debut at Doncaster, and then was still travelling well at the head of affairs when crashing out three flights from home in the Adonis Hurdle. He can get involved at a decent price in this encounter.
Aintree Bowl Steeplechase – 14:55 BST
We have six declared for the Aintree Bowl, and this looks an absolute belter. A case can be made for every individual. Bravemansgame and Conflated bring the Gold Cup form to the table, and the former would have outstanding claims if the exertions at Prestbury Park haven’t taken their toll. A Plus Tard was just starting to creep into things and show much more of his old spark until getting badly hampered and then pulled up in the same race. Shishkin is one of the stars of the jumping game and he could easily thrive stepping up to this trip for the first time under rules.
Nicky Henderson’s charge has become a bit hard to predict though, and like a few others, had a hard race at the Festival. He made a jolting blunder at a crucial time and did well to stay on for second. My main fancy is AHOY SENOR, who has won at this meeting for the last two years, including when thumping Bravemansgame over Hurdles in 2021.
Lucinda Russell’s representative seems to come alive in the spring and I think a bold bid can be expected. At huge odds, I wouldn’t put anyone off GA LAW, who I think can thrive stepping up to 3m1f for the first time for the Jamie Snowden team who have had a wonderful season.
Aintree Hurdle – 15:30 BST
CONSTITUTION HILL should get the job done with the minimum of fuss but he won’t be a betting proposition here at such prohibitive odds. It’s going to be a case of what next? He could win umpteen Champion Hurdles, but it isn’t hard to envisage him over fences next season.
Open Hunters’ Steeplechase – 16:05 BST
The Hunters’ Chase scene wouldn’t be one I keep a close eye on, so I am happy to sit this one out!
THE LAST DAY won this race 12 months ago, and from just a 2lb higher mark, a repeat could easily be on the cards. He loves the venue and has an unblemished record over C&D. The more the rain the merrier for him, and I think he can go well for each-way backers representing the Evan Williams and Adam Wedge combination.
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Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat – 17:15 BST
This could be a bit of a lottery – so my views would be tentative. SHE’S A FINE WINE created an excellent impression when bolting up at Southwell last time out, and does bring the ‘could be anything’ factor to the table.
Don’t forget Ed will be giving previews and best bets for Friday and then Grand National day too, so don’t forget to check them out!
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