Horse Racing Tips: Our Cheat Sheet for Aintree Festival Day Two

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14 April 2023

Horse Racing Tips: Our Cheat Sheet for Aintree Festival Day Two

After a cracking opening day of the Aintree Grand National Festival, we’re back for more on Friday – and we’re just one day away from the big one taking place on Saturday at 5:15pm.

There are four Grade 1 races on Friday with the Marsh Chase at 3:30pm taking centre stage as the feature race.

And just in case you’re not sure who’s destined for the Winners Enclosure at Aintree this week, we’ve rounded up the shrewdest set of form-readers that ever laid eyes on a racecourse. Ruby Walsh, Mick Fitzgerald, Jane Mangan, Matt Chapman and Rory Delargy are on hand to guide us through every race.

So, why not scroll down for our handy interactive cheat sheet, or tap here to download a hi-res copy if you want to make a banner out of it or something mad like that.

Ruby Walsh

Gerri Colombe has had four runs this season, whereas BRONN has only had three, so Willie Mullins’ runner could be the fresher horse. He can turn the form around on the former after losing to him twice.

Mick Fitzgerald

GERRI COLOMBE was really unlucky at Cheltenham. This could turn into a bit of a slog and that will suit him down to the ground.

Jane Mangan

This looks an ideal opportunity for GERRI COLOMBE to gain compensation for narrowly missing out on glory at Cheltenham. The more rain the better his chances but regardless, I think he’s the only genuine Grade 1 horse in this race.

Matt Chapman

Very hard to oppose GERRI COLOMBE who I felt should have won the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham but was touched off by The Real Whacker. Davy Russell takes over here and this could be a huge win for him.

Rory Delargy

GERRI COLOMBE and Bronn look the two to focus on. The former looks a really solid bet and he almost won at Cheltenham last month. This track will suit him better as it’s not as sharp as people think.

Ruby Walsh

I’ve landed on SONIGINO for Paul Nicholls with Harry Cobden on board. He hasn’t ran since he won at Huntingdon in February and he’s too big of a price not to back.

Mick Fitzgerald

CAMPROND was among the unluckiest losers at Cheltenham and he should get compensation at a track he has run well at in the past.

MARTELLO SKY is a very good each-way alternative.

Jane Mangan

My each-way selection is BUDDY ONE who may have won the Martin Pipe but for hanging left under pressure. I would expect a more patient ride this time.

CAMPROND back to winning ways considering he was only caught late on in the Coral Cup.

Matt Chapman

DARGIANNINI (each way) is improving fast for Harry Derham and stays this trip well. He looked good at Newbury last time and at Uttoxeter the time before and while up to a mark of 138 now could still be ahead of the handicapper.

Rory Delargy

If it gets very soft, I’m going to have a small play on JASON THE MILITANT (each way). He was out of his depth in the Champion Hurdle but it wasn’t that long ago he was showing solid form.

Ruby Walsh

FOUND A FIFTY ran a cracker at Naas in February when beaten by Corbetts Cross and he bolted up ahead of Parmenion at Fairyhouse before that.

Mick Fitzgerald

I have been impressed with ALTOBELLI, although jumping has been his Achilles heel and any rain that comes will help. Luccia was ultimately disappointing at Cheltenham, but I’ll have the former each way.

Jane Mangan

I have been a fan of INTHEPOCKET since his maiden win at Wexford and he’s done nothing but confirm that promise ever since.

One worth watching at bigger odds is NO LOOKING BACK for Oliver McKiernan who has some smart form as possesses a good turn of foot.

Matt Chapman

TAHMURAS (each way) was terrible at Cheltenham but I’m happy to give him another chance here. The Tolworth hero looked useful at Sandown and Paul Nicholls would not have him out again if he wasn’t ready.

Rory Delargy

I like FOUND A FIFTY for Gordon Elliott with Davy Russell on board. He did well to beat Parmenion and he ran well behind Corbetts Cross. He will improve for that and the fact he missed Cheltenham is a bonus.

Ruby Walsh

I’m with an outsider in MILLERS BANK at a price. He won here last year in the Manifesto Novices’ Chase and Kielan Woods is back on board for Alex Hales. He’s bordered on being a Grade 1 horse so I’ll back him to kick on in this.

Mick Fitzgerald

HITMAN has run very well at this track in the past, including second in this race last year. Harry Cobden has chosen to ride Pic D’orhy which is a worry but as a jockey you make a choice and sometimes we get it wrong.

Jane Mangan

Joseph O’Brien’s FAKIR D’OUDAIRIES is bidding for a hat-trick of wins in this race and, despite disappointing at Ascot last time, this guy comes alive at Aintree.

Matt Chapman

I’ll risk FUGITIF in the hope he goes on the run from this lot for Sean Bowen and trainer Richard Hobson. Rated 153 he’s in the mix, he stays well and could surprise a few people.

Rory Delargy

I’ve landed on FUGITIF who has always had plenty of ability. He’s strung a few solid attempts together and his form is decent.

Ruby Walsh

I fancy BURROWS SAINT to kick on from his third at Down Royal in March. He’s a wonderful jumper and this should really suit him.

Mick Fitzgerald

IL RIDOTO has a bit of class, but the obvious question mark is having not run over these fences previously. He is a good jumper, though, and I don’t have any concerns on that front. I think his class will see him through.

Jane Mangan

ASHTOWN LAD looked a natural over the evergreens last December when he beat Gesskille in the Becher Chase. Since then, he has been campaigned over hurdles with this race in mind.

One at much bigger odds that might be worth a nibble is BATCIO.

Matt Chapman

BURROWS SAINT (each way) is interesting for Willie Mullins. The old boy was once fourth in a Grand National where the trip just found him out. He ran well behind Longhouse Poet at Down Royal last time

Rory Delargy

I’m going to take a swing at FANTASTIKAS at a huge price. He did well at Wincanton a couple of runs back and he’s got a great chance based on last season’s form.

Ruby Walsh

I’m going for an each-way shout in BLENKINSOP for Henry Daly. I like Stay Away Fay but he’s short at the top of the betting so I’ll side with Blenkinsop. He was impressive at Newbury when last seen.

Mick Fitzgerald

I like BLENKINSOP each way and any rain that falls will help this very strong stayer. His experience and having not been to Cheltenham will help.

Jane Mangan

Stepping up an extra 4 furlongs could make IROKO very difficult to beat in this 3 mile test. Now with the assistance of Mark Walsh, Iroko can take that crucial step into Grade 1 company in the best possible fashion.

Matt Chapman

I love GREY DAWNING (each way) who is going to be a lovely chaser one day. Trained by Dan and ridden by Harry Skelton, my hope kept on well over slightly shorter to score in a Grade 2 at Warwick last time.

Rory Delargy

I’m going to go with something safe (I think!) and I’ve landed on MAXIMILIAN. His River Don Novices’ Hurdle form at Doncaster is solid and he didn’t go to Cheltenham as he’s been saved for this.

Ruby Walsh

GAOTH CHUIL will appreciate the rain that is falling and she likes the trip. She should run a big race and Shane O’Callaghan is claiming 7lbs.

Jane Mangan

Tony Martin has his horses in fantastic form this season and fresh from bagging the Pertemps at Cheltenham, he can win another big prize here courtesy of NIBIRU who was a good second to Gaelic Warrior at the DRF last time.

Matt Chapman

GAOTH CHUIL (each way) might still be well handicapped despite being 15lb higher here than when scoring at Leopardstown. His previous ninth at the same track was also a decent effort and I expect a huge run.

Rory Delargy

I really struggled to get a handle on this race and if I had to pick a runner, it’d be HOMME PUBLIC at a price. Toby Wynne is his regular jockey and he’s claiming 5lbs.