Thrusday’s UK racing tips come your way from day 1 of the 2024 Aintree Festival on 11 April 2024.
AINTREE
Race 2 – SIR GINO 10/11
One who Nicky Henderson will be desperate to win is SIR GINO, who runs in the Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle.
He was a red-hot favourite for the Triumph Hurdle last month but was one Henderson felt he just could not risk. Prior to the meeting, however, he had looked a potential superstar.
Sir Gino should get the better of Kargese who holds solid form claims having only found Majborough too good in the Triumph Hurdle last time out.
Kalif Du Berlais had to give weight away when winning the G2 Adonis Juvenile Novices Hurdle at Kempton in February, and could provide a good account as he bids to remain unbeaten.
Race 3 – SHISHKIN 11/4
The Grand National meeting kicks off on Thursday with a mouthwatering battle between SHISHKIN and Gold Cup runner-up Gerri Colombe in the Aintree Bowl.
Shishkin gets the nod to defend the crown he claimed 12 months ago when the Nicky Henderson-trained star edged Ahoy Senor by one and a half lengths, but he will come up against stiff opposition in the seven-runner field over an extended three miles.
Henderson endured a difficult time at Cheltenham last month when an apparent virus hit the Seven Barrows stables on the eve of the meeting, which resulted in Shishkin being declared a non-runner for the blue riband at Prestbury Park.
However, he will be fresh to face Gordon Elliott’s charge when Gerri Colombe bids to claim his second win on Merseyside following last year’s Grade One victory in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase.
Race 4 – LANGER DAN 8/1
LANGER DAN, winner of the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham, returns to action in the William Hill Aintree Hurdle and arrives on the back of a career-best effort..
Dan Skelton’s eight-year-old will be looking for a quickfire double at a track where he has won over course and distance, albeit in a handicap hurdle in 2022, so this represents a stiff rise in grade to the highest level.
Luccia was one of the few Nicky Henderson horses to perform with credit in Gloucestershire last month and is aiming to improve on her third-placed finish in the Champion Hurdle as one of seven challengers to Langer Dan but a chance is taken on the Skelton runner.
Race 5 – SPYGLASS HILL 11/2
SPYGLASS HILL remains very much unexposed in this sphere having made a successful Hunters Chase debut at Haydock, so it’s worth considering in the Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase.
Its On The Line went down fighting in the St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month. Maintains claims dropping back in distance.
Third home that day Time Leader is consistent in contests of this nature and must enter calculations.
Annamix won a Hunters Chase event impressively at Gowran Park last-time-out and could be in the mix.
Race 6 – UNEXPECTED PARRY 6/1
Dropping back to this trip worked out for UNEXPECTED PARRY in the Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
The nine-year-old is trained by Dan Skelton and might well come out on top again in the Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase.
Path D’Oroux is a Gavin Cromwell runner yet to win in eight outings over fences. Holds some solid placed form and could be suited by the testing conditions.
Saint Roi did well finishing sixth in the noted event and cannot be discounted though heavy ground might not prove ideal.
Maintaining a progressive record of three from four with fences last-time-out Class 2 Doncaster winner Homme Public also needs to be included on the shortlist.
