Neil Morrice outlines his best bets and tips for Saturday’s British meetings at Aintree, Bang-Or-Dee, Thirsk, Newcastle and Wolverhampton on 09/04/2022.
BANGOR-ON-DEE – 09/04/2022
Race 3 No1 METHODTOTHEMADNESS (Nap)
Trainer: Lucinda Russell – Jockey: P Wadge
After a number of near misses this season, METHODTOTHEMADNESS can take advantage of what looks a good winning opportunity. The mare has a welter burden eased by the 10lb claim of her conditional rider, giving her very solid claims.
THIRSK – 09/04/2022
Race 4 No4 RHYTHM MASTER (Nap)
Trainer: James Horton – Jockey: PJ McDonald
Smart two-year-old RHYTHM MASTER is a fascinating proposition on debut for his trainer. All but two of his career outings have happened in Pattern company, and this reversion to a conditions race can be seen as a class drop. He’s not the most straightforward of horses, but if on his A-game will be hard to beat.
NEWCASTLE – 09/04/2022
Race 3 No1 EDMOND DANTES (Nap)
Trainer: Ruth Jefferson – Jockey: Callum Bewley
As a horse that cruises into contention but doesn’t always find as much as it looks like he will, EDMOND DANTE needs to be ridden with a kid glove. If his pilot waits to deliver his challenge until late in the game the gelding can avenge last week’s defeat at Market Rasen.
WOLVERHAMPTON – 09/04/2022
Race 5 No5 GEARING’S POINT (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Darragh Keenan
GEARING’S POINT couldn’t cut the mustard on handicap debut at Doncaster but is not without ability. Back on an all-weather surface, she can trouble the judge at a working man’s price.
AINTREE GRAND NATIONAL MEETING – 09/04/2022
Race 1 EFT Construction Handicap Hurdle
No1 BEAUPORT (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jordan Nailor
BEAUPORT has taken a hike in the ratings on the back of his game success in a valuable race at Uttoxeter. However, he has the size and scope to carry a welter burden and is arguably unlucky not to have obliged on more than that one occasion this season. Winter Fog has work to do with Third Wind on the basis of their efforts in the Pertemps Final, but that form is very solid, and if repeated should see them in the money.
Race 2 Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
No2 COLONEL MUSTARD (Nap)
Trainer: Mrs Fowler – Jockey: Conor Orr
COLONEL MUSTARD travelled beautifully on the way to a creditable third placing behind State Man in the County Hurdle. Back into novice company and now fitted with a first time hood, he can take home a sizeable cheque and is narrowly preferred to Good Risk At All, who to the annoyance of connections failed by one to make the cut in the Coral Cup. Good Risk At All would have started favourite for that Cheltenham contest, and like Colonel Mustard is a novice that has valuable experience from the handicap sphere. One for whom market support could prove significant is Walking On Air, who wasn’t quite ready to run at Cheltenham but carries a tall home reputation to post.
Race 3 Poundland Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
No2 EDWARDSTONE
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Tom Cannon
This should be a straightforward assignment for the Arkle Trophy hero EDWARDSTONE. A four and a quarter lengths delivery in that Festival showpiece climaxed an impressive sequence of victories by the eight-year-old, who after unluckily being brought down on seasonal reappearance at Warwick has looked bombproof.
Race 4 JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1)
No8 THYME HILL
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Tom O’Brien
Stayers’ Hurdle principals Flooring Porter and THYME HILL lock horns in a rematch that can see the tables turned. Thyme Hill has two and threequarter lengths to find, but granted his liking for this course could easily do so. He was a game winner of the corresponding race 12 months ago and took a long time to reach top gear at Cheltenham. He’s had a light campaign, and can find the extra required.
Race 5 Betway Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
No9 OSCAR ELITE (Each Way)
Trainer: Colin Tizzard – Jockey: Harry Cobden
OSCAR ELITE put in a seasonal best when third to Corach Rambler in the Ultima at Cheltenham and is unlucky still to be seeking a first success over fences. The former smart novice hurdler hails from a stable that’s having a good meeting with its chasers, and if getting the rub of the green in this big field can earn again. Shan Blue would have trotted up but for falling in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, and though underwhelming in the Ryanair Chase could prove dangerous back in a handicap. Tea Clipper and Adrimel are others to include in exotic permutations.
Race 6 Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
No20 KILDISART (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: James Bowen
DELTA WORK is arguably the best horse in the race and needs respecting after his defeat of stablemate Tiger Roll in the Cross-Country Chase at Cheltenham. The nine-year-old should love the challenge in front of him, with those close to the Gordon Elliott stable insistent that he’s the best of the trainer’s seven runners.
Along with Lostintranslation, FIDDLERONTHEROOF is ColinTizzard’s final Grand National runner and there’s every chance this consistent performer will be involved at the business end. The Ladbrokes Trophy runner-up jumps well and has every chance of getting the trip.
KILDISART is one that could have got under the radar, and after an eye taking return from a mid season break at Newbury, gives the impression he could have a fair bit more to offer. He’s a classy individual and trainer Ben Pauling puts cheek pieces back on.
DISCORAMA has had two wind ops since his last success for which you have to go back to December 2017, but even though his racecourse appearances are few and far between these days he has plenty of ability, and ran well to finish seventh to Minella Times in the 2021 National.
The bookies will suffer if grey mare SNOW LEOPARDESS repeats her memorable Becher Chase success over this much longer distance. She jumped with alacrity to get home by an inch in a desperate finish, and has scored impressively at Exeter on a subsequent outing to remain unbeaten this season.
Race 7 Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open NH Flat Race (Grade 2)
No8 HENRI THE SECOND
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
There are few better looking horses in the bumper division than HENRI THE SECOND, who on both outings under Rules has impressed with his attitude and ability to get the job done. He downed a well regarded foe when beating Authorised Speed in Listed company at Ascot and should make a good fist of preserving his unbeaten record.
Bet on Horse Racing at www.hollywoodbets.co.uk or www.hollywoodbets.ie
