Neil Morrice outlines his best bets and tips for Friday’s British meeting at Aintree on 08/04/2022.
AINTREE – 08/04/2022
20 Years Together, Alder Hey & Aintree Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
No19 SPEECH BUBBLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Noel Williams – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
SPEECH BUBBLE is redirected to this viciously competitive opener from the mares’ Final at Newbury where connections considered the drying ground to be unsuitable for their charge. Underfoot conditions should be perfect for the seven-year-old here, however, and she has a big chance to demonstrate what an impossible task she faced against Love Envoi on her latest start at Sandown. This strong traveller is almost certain to get the fast early pace required, although two others worthy of support are Cobblers Dream and Mackenburg. Cobblers Dream ran a stormer to finish runner-up in the County Hurdle, and will be suited by this flatter track, while Mackenburg must not be underestimated as he switches to hurdles from fences.
Race 2 Betway Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 08/04/2022
No2 AUCUNRISQUE (Each Way)
Trainer: Chris Gordon – Jockey: Tom Cannon
Jonbon sets a high bar for the others to aim at as he bids to boost the value of the Supreme Hurdle, in which he finished an honourable second to stablemate Constitution Hill. He’s a more settled individual than was the case when he first entered the fray, but could be worth taking on with AUCUNRISQUE, who in three straight successes has impressed me as a greatly improved performer. He was particularly dominant when taking out a Grade 2 at Kempton last time, and with a bit more progression can lay it down to the favourite. Eyed finished fourth to Constitution Hill on Rules debut at Sandown, and at a massive price might not be disgraced.
Race 3 Betway Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 08/04/2022
No2 BRAVEMANSGAME
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
If L’Homme Presse’s unbeaten sequence over fences is to be halted, BRAVEMANSGAME is the horse to achieve it, granted he arrives here fresh from a late scratch from his race at the Cheltenham Festival. Last season’s Doom Bar Sefton Novices’ Hurdle winner is himself unbeaten in four outings over fences, and can by completing a nap hand of triumphs enhance his reputation as a Gold Cup prospect for next season.
Race 4 Marsh Chase (Grade 1) 08/04/2022
No9 SAINT CALVADOS (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
This equivalent of the Ryanair Chase is a fascinating puzzle to have to try to solve, and one in which it’s hard to run your pen through the names of any of the contenders. The horse carded as the rank outsider, Editeur Du Gite, could easily defy those odds and take home a cheque, while Fakir D’Oudaries enters calculations on the back of a convincing triumph in a Grade 1 at Ascot. SAINT CALVADOS was pulled up in that contest but came back with a genuine excuse. He also skipped the Cheltenham Festival because of going issues, and in the likelihood of a strongly run race can come from off the pace to get into the money.
Race 5 Randox Topham Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 08/04/2022
No15 MISTER COFFEY
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Henderson gives some match practice over the famous fences to MISTER COFFEY, the horse he believes could next year provide him with victory in the one race that has eluded him, the Grand National. Mister Coffey is not a straightforward horse to ride, and broke a fence in a novice chase at Sandown before running a cracker to chase home Chambard in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
A strong traveller with an immense amount of natural ability, he could make short work of these if taking to the fences and the occasion. Killer Clown is one rival that can enter calculations, having won two from three since being equipped with a tongue strap. There’s confidence behind him, and that also applies to Senior Citizen, who looks to have been trained with this one target in mind and is a good jumper. A roughie worth inclusion in exotics is Spiritofthegames, who didn’t go unbacked for the Skeltons when third to Coole Cody in the Plate at the Festival.
Race 6 Cavani Menswear Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 08/04/2022
No3 BOWTOGREATNESS (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kielan Woods
If there’s a joker in this pack, BOWTOGREATNESS could be the one. Having fallen on debut over jumps at Ffos Las, he’s looked a total natural in subsequent triumphs at that course and Leicester, and could have a lot more to offer. Skytastic defends a four race unbeaten record consisting of two bumpers and a couple of novice hurdles. He’s very highly regarded by his trainer, and should also get into the shake-up. Gelino Bello jumps and travels well, and after a confidence boosting win at Newbury enters the argument as an additional player.
Race 7 Park Palace Ponies Handicap Hurdle 08/04/2022
No6 GIPSY DE CHOISEL (Each Way)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Mr Ben Bromley
If there’s a plot in the getting out of jail nightcap it could well be GIPSY DE CHOISEL, who has always been well thought of at Seven Barrows and makes a belated return to action. While not exactly thrown in, he could have improved for his lengthy absence and looks worth chancing to take away a cheque of some sort.
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