*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
13:45 Elodorado Allen
Eldorado Allen showed signs of life when chasing home Shishkin in the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham – the second time he has seen the rear-view of that potential superstar. Colin Tizzard’s horses haven’t been in the best of form but he has been holding his and deserves to get his head in front. Just the two places on offer in this seven-runner race if you’re going each-way.
14:20 Adagio
ITV coverage of the Grand National meeting gets under way Thursday with this Grade 1 juvenile hurdle over 2m1f. Monmiral is clearly useful but he’ll have to be very good to dispose of ADAGIO for David Pipe and Tom Scudamore. The Triumph Hurdle runner-up has brought a high level of form to the table all season and is super tough to boot. Must have a strong chance.
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14:50 Clan Des Obeaux
Now the Grade 1 Bowl Chase over 3m1f. Having taken on the Paul Nicholls yard in the opener I’m very much with it here. CLAN DES OBEAUX really should have too much speed for Native River and too much stamina for Waiting Patiently. My hope was disappointing although not disgraced in the King George at Christmas and I’m hoping his freshness will make him very hard to beat.
15:25 Buveur D’Air (E/W)
Another Grade 1 in the Aintree Hurdle over 2m4f. This is up for grabs. I’ll take an eachway punt on former class act BUVEUR D’AIR for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville. Of course he flopped on his comeback at Haydock when last seen, but he showed enough during that race to suggest to me there is still some of the old ability still in the engine. He’s won this race before and finished second in the event so the track holds no fears.
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16:05 Billaway
This is the Foxhunters’ over the National fences and 2m5f. Surely BILLAWAY will take all the beating for Willie Mullins and Patrick Mullins. Twice a runner-up in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham, the likely favourite stays well and might still have more to come as he’s relatively lightly raced. Obviously he has to jump round the tricky fences and anything can happen on that score, but with a clear go I’d be disappointed if he got beat.
16:40 On The Slopes (E/W)
Finally a Grade 3 handicap chase over 2m. I’ll have a few quid eachway on ON THE SLOPES here for the top cat Tom Cannon and the mad Chris Gordon. The Grand Annual fourth is very well suited to a big field over the minimum trip and his ability to jump well in those conditions will count for much. He’s not chucked in, but he should give us a run.
17:15 Eileendover
Eileendover has impressed us all with her three victories this year and connections dodged the Cheltenham Champion bumper for a crack at this. She’ll face some pretty tough competition in Dan Skelton’s Elle Est Belle who chased Sir Gerhard and Kilcruit home at Cheltenham but has to concede weight to the four-year-old in this contest. That may just swing it for Pam Sly’s runner.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
Matt’s Thursday tips
13:45 Eldorado Allen
14:20 Adagio
14:50 Clan Des Obeaux
15:25 Buveur D’Air (E/W)
16:05 Billaway
16:40 On The Slopes (E/W)
17:15 Eileendover
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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