The Grand National meeting is famed for its upsets and its drama, which is ideal for our value man Matty Sutcliffe, who has picked out five interests on day one at Aintree.
1:45 Aintree – EBC Group Manifesto Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) – Impaire Et Passe 11/4 2pt WIN
It’s often proved to take on Cheltenham winning form in this contest and while impressive Arkle winner Jango Baie will improve for this step up to 2m4f, I’m keen to be on the side of IMPAIRE ET PASSE. While he somewhat underperformed at Leopardstown, that took his course record there to 233 and he was scarcely put into the contest, whereas his record outside of the track reads 1111121111, including a game success in the 2m4f Aintree Hurdle here last season. He has an unblemished 111 record in the month of April, and Willie Mullins won this with Il Etait Temps last season, who had also contested the G1 Faugheen Novice’ Chase earlier in the season albeit failed to win, unlike Impaire Et Passe. The son of Diamond Boy is 2/2 from similar breaks, and the first time cheek-pieces can eke out further aid in the jumping department.
2:20 Aintree – Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo) – Wendrock 10/1 1pt WIN
WENDROCK was poorly positioned throughout in the Fred Winter last month, having travelled in rear for the most part, though he wasn’t badly hampered by a faller when making a move down the wide outside having eventually travelled into it smoothly and his chances were immediately ruined. However, he was a huge eye-catcher once switched to the inside and storming home late on, clocking the quickest second final furlong before getting the last hurdle wrong.
He posted the second highest RPR’s in the contest off top-weight, and he looks overpriced with the winner Puturhandstogether who had the perfect trip throughout carrying 6lbs less for a seven lengths deficit.
Though his jumping still leaves something to be desired, Gordon Elliott dead-heated in this contest (albeit demoted 2nd for interference) with Pied Piper in 2022 and his record in non-handicap hurdles here read 20-5-11 (25%W/55%P), returning £17.70 to a £1 stake.
2:55 Aintree – Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph Bowl Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) – Ahoy Señor 6/1 2pt EW 3 places
AHOY SENOR looks a stellar each-way bet to nothing in here. We all know by now that his jumping is his fatal flaw, but Aintree is his hubris with his record reading 113223. He was a bet for the column in this race last season when just touched off by Gold Cup second Gerri Colombe (rated 12lbs inferior at the time), having put in a jumping exhibition throughout.
He was also second to Shishkin in this contest in 2023 after falling at the 17th (fell 15th this year) in the Gold Cup beaten half a length having jumped typically woeful throughout, but both Gerri Colombe and Shishkin are streets above anything in here (rated 175/170 at the time), and while I’m entirely trusting he doesn’t throw in a stinker, Ahoy Señor looks primed to go one better than the last two renewals with the second run after a wind op typically having a positive impact.
4:05 Aintree – Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase (Class 2) (6yo+) – Joker De Mai 14/1 1pt EW 5 places
Six-year-old JOKER DE MAI has a lot more upsides than the majority of these and while we have to consider the Maxwell factor, his record over fences reads 21131, including experience over similar fences in France.
His first hunter chase saw him beaten eight lengths by Angels Dawn giving her over a stone, and he was only three lengths behind Take All giving him 7lbs who subsequently beat Famous Clermont with ease, who’s in here as short as 9/2. He’s over priced in that respect, and he was mightily impressive down in trip at Leicester bolting up by 21 lengths.
The step back up in trip with a good gallop to aim at should suit, and Maxwell has a 25% strike rate in non-handicap chases within the last five seasons.
4:40 Aintree – Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) – Sans Bruit 13/2 1pt WIN
SANS BRUIT was a cosy winner in this for the column last season and while the omission of the hood is a negative, he looks to have been plotted all season for this contest again. He began the season well with a keen-front running performance in the Haldon Gold Cup, backing his RPR of 141 produced when winning the Red Rum last season. The winner was third in a G1 next time out, the second has since climbed 19lbs with form figures of 1217 since including two G2 victories and the third has form figures of 22402 since.
He again backed up the 141 RPR in the 52k Hurst Park Chase at Ascot when setting the race up for the closers with the second winning next time out, and while his form has tailed off since, he at least ran creditably without much intent when held up at Windsor, finishing eight lengths behind the second who was just touched off in the Grand Annual last time out.
He has to prove his welfare, but the inkling is that this race has been the plan and he’s back down to the same mark. His record in April reads 1211213, so it’s plausible to suggest he’ll peak now back here.
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