The Haldon Gold Cup moves from Exeter to Aintree, and it’s live on the tele.
FRIDAY’S AINTREE TIPS
- 12:40 Watery Borren
- 13:15 Below The Radar
- 13:50 Lyssenko
- 14:25 Royal Infantry
- 15:00 Mirabad
- 15:35 Montregard
- 16:05 Quaviste
-View our latest Horse Racing markets
12:40 2m1f (2m209y) Novices’ Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race) (Class 3) (4yo+)
WATERY BORREN ran out a comfortable winner on hurdling debut at Carlisle last month, beating an odds-on favourite from the Dan Skelton stable. Sent off at odds of 17/2, I would think that Watery Borren surprised connections, and I think this could be a stepping stone to targeting some of the bigger festivals later in the year.
Selection: Watery Borren
13:15 3m1f (3m210y) (Mildmay) Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3) (4yo+)
A faller last December on his chasing debut, BELOW THE RADAR is taken to open up his account over fences at the second attempt. The selection hasn’t finished out of the first three in four runs since that fall, and it’s hoped that he has matured and learned from that mishap last December.
Selection: Below The Radar
13:50 2m1f (2m209y) Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-140)
Unbeaten in three starts over hurdles in France, LYSSENKO is taken to make a winning UK and stable debut for the Skelton team. He was a comfortable winner of a conditions hurdle in Pau when last seen, and could be an exciting recruit to the hurdling ranks this season.
Selection: Lyssenko
14:25 3m1f (3m210y) (Mildmay) ‘Future Stars’ Silver Bowl ‘Chasing Excellence’ Novices’ Chase (Part Of CE Initiative) (GBB) (Class 2) (4yo+)
ROYAL INFANTRY made all to run out a comfortable winner of a three-runner beginners’ chase at Hexham when last seen, and I think he can follow up here, in what was his preferred option, as he was also entered in the Grade 2 Rising Stars Chase on Saturday.
Selection: Royal Infantry
15:00 2m (1m7f176y) (Mildmay) Haldon Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 2) (Limited Handicap Chase) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)
MIRABAD ran out a good winner of a Grade 1 novices’ chase at Aintree last April, and I think with the benefit of a recent run over hurdles, I think he is difficult to oppose here. JPR One rates the main danger, but I think Mirabad will take the beating.
Selection: Mirabad
15:35 3m1f (3m210y) (Mildmay) Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)
MONTREGARD was last seen finishing second, 4l behind the winner Barry Lyndon, in a listed chase at the Punchestown Festival in May. Before that, he won a decent handicap chase at Ascot in February. He won first time out last season and is taken to repeat that feat here.
Selection: Montregard
15:35 3m1f (3m210y) (Mildmay) Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)
QUAVISTE put in a gallant effort to finish fourth in the Morebattle at Kelso, when last seen back in February. He showed promise on his previous outing, finishing fifth is a decent handicap hurdle at Kempton last January. Quaviste takes a drop in grade here, and I think has been found a good starting point for the season.
Selection: Quaviste
AINTREE TIPS
- 12:40 Watery Borren
- 13:15 Below The Radar
- 13:50 Lyssenko
- 14:25 Royal Infantry
- 15:00 Mirabad
- 15:35 Montregard
- 16:05 Quaviste
