Sandown 1.45pm – Henry VIII Novices’ Chase
This is a cracking Novice chase over two miles with heavyweights Brian Power, Finians Oscar and North Hill Harvey all coming up against each other. Brian Power is the favourite in the betting, but in my opinion Finians Oscar should be. He’s currently 15/8 and that’s a cracking bet for me.
He was only beaten by a head at Punchestown by Bacardys and he was caught on the line there, otherwise he’d be unbeaten. It’s surprising they’re dropping him to two miles, but he won the Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle here last year and I reckon he’ll add another Grade One win this weekend.
Sandown 2.20pm – Jumeirah Hotels Handicap Hurdle
Crossed My Mind of Arthur Moore is a very lightly raced horse, with this being just his sixth run ever. He was a little unlucky in the run when he finished sixth at the Punchestown Festival, but he travelled really well that day.
He made his reappearance at Down Royal, where he was a decent third. Moore sends Crossed My Mind across to Sandown, where he looks really well handicapped and I expect him to hit the frame.
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Aintree 1.30pm – Becher Handicap Chase
This is a bit of an each way punter’s race. Blaklion looks difficult enough to beat, considering he was probably a shade unfortunate not to win the Grand National last year. Westerner Point gets in at 10st 1lb and 2009 was the last time a horse carried more than 11st to claim victory in this race.
Westerner Point gets in off a low weight and has won five of his last nine chase runs, but has seemed to improve over hurdles when he stepped up to three miles. He absolutely relishes the heavy ground and looks a value each way alternative.
Aintree 3.10pm – Grand Sefton Handicap Chase
Gas Line Boy looked certain to win last time out at Aintree, when he fell three from home. He was six lengths clear at the time and hadn’t even been asked a question by his jockey Robbie Dunne.
The winner of the race that day The Romford Pele has come out and won again, franking the form. Gas Line Boy handles heavy ground, he obviously enjoys the track and he looks a fantastic bet at 11/4.
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