Horse Racing tips: Matt Chapman’s best bets for Day 2 at Aintree

13:45 Solwara One

SOLWARA ONE has improved all season and could be worth an each-way play. He’s still lightly-raced and has yet to be out of the first two since finishing runner-up to Like A Honey Bee in a Wetherby bumper a little more than a year ago. This will tell us how good he really is.

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14:20 Third Time Lucki

ITV’s coverage of Day 2 of the Grand National meeting starts with this Grade 1 novice hurdle over an extended 2m. This does not look a strong renewal, and for that reason I’m hoping THIRD TIME LUCKI can reverse County Hurdle form with Belfast Banter. My hope was only beaten just over three lengths that day and is a stone better off for Harry and Dan Skelton.

14:50 The Big Breakaway

Another Grade 1 affair here in a novice chase over 3m 1f. Chantry House did this column a favour at Cheltenham, but he wasn’t impressive for me. I’ll give THE BIG BREAKAWAY another chance each-way on better ground.

My hope was a distant third behind Monkfish at the Festival, but in the race he showed some improvement on the way round. He stays well and should give Harry Cobden a decent spin for Colin Tizzard.

15:25 Politologue

We’re in Grade 1 company again in the Marsh Chase over 2m 4f and the race lacks real star quality despite its competitive nature. POLITOLOGUE missed Cheltenham with some blood in his nose, but that might be a blessing in disguise as far as this race is concerned.

He should be fresh for Harry Cobden and Paul Nicholls and this is his perfect track and trip. He’s won this race before although was stuffed by Min in 2019.

16:05 Morning Vicar

Some Grade 3 company here with the Topham Handicap Chase over the National fences and 2m 5f. MORNING VICAR might say a prayer or two before this! The Nicky Henderson runner didn’t get home at Cheltenham last time and prior to that might have found the ground too soft at Sandown. This is his trip and going, and if he copes with the fences he might be well handicapped for James Bowen.

16:40 Alaphilippe

Now the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle over an extended 3m. I tipped up ALAPHILIPPE at Cheltenham and he looked hopeless all the way round – or nearly all the way. He jumped badly behind Vanillier in the Albert Bartlett until eventually plodding on into a fair fifth. If he builds on that he would have decent each-way claims at good odds for Fergal O’Brien and Paddy Brennan.

17:15 The Grey Falco

THE GREY FALCO bumped into the Skelton’s Calico at Ludlow who was won another couple of races since. He could be well handicapped on that form and can hit the places in this Conditional Jockeys’ race. Carries a featherweight with Bryan Carver taking another handy 3lbs off.

So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?