Horse Racing Tips: Paddy Power’s ULTIMATE Aintree Cheat Sheet for Thursday

SAINT ROI was my each-way pick in the Arkle at Cheltenham. He wasn’t in a heated battle as he finished third and that could help him for this run. He’s also getting the step up in trip he needs.

I am a little concerned that BANBRIGE may be very ground dependent, however, I’m happy to take a chance as it will be the first race on the ground this week. If the ground comes up very soft after lots of rain he will be in trouble, though.

BANBRIDGE skipped Cheltenham due to soft ground. Coming here fresh and up 4 furlongs in trip, I think he can track the favourite and pounce late to deny Stage Star the Cheltenham/Aintree double.

STAGE STAR has every chance of an uncontested lead here for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden and if he’s in the same form as at Cheltenham he should take all the stopping.

BANBRIDGE didn’t run at Cheltenham and I’m mostly against backing horses that ran at the Festival and are now turning up at Aintree. I thought Stage Star was flattered during his win there.

I’m not going to go against ZENTA. She improved a lot from her Fairyhouse win in February to finish third in Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Zenta travelled very well in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham finishing a good third. It could depend on the ground, the softer it is, the shorter the price ZENTA should be.

A few years have passed since Apple’s Jade got beat in the Triumph Hurdle only to demolish her rivals at Aintree. I’m not putting ZENTA in her league but I’m hopeful that she too can step forward at the Liverpool track.

PERSEUS WAY disappointed me at Cheltenham but I’ll give him another chance here at double digit odds. My hope might well have beaten Nusret at Kempton if he had not made a mistake at the last in the Adonis.

Zenta stands out, however, she’s a short price. SCRIPTWRITER deserves a mention. He’s got the ability to go well and he can bounce back with Harry Cobden on board.

Bravemansgame and Shishkin gave a lot at Cheltenham and this could come too soon for them. A Plus Tard looked good in the Gold Cup but Henry de Bromhead only has one winner in his last 20. I’ve landed on AHOY SENOR, who has had success at Aintree.

You could tell from very early on in the Ryanair that Shishkin was not happy but I feel the horse I saw schooling in person on Thursday is the real one. Ahoy Senor loves this track and has to be respected. I am sticking with SHISHKIN but Ahoy Senor is a danger.

The late absence of Bravemansgame has thrown a late spanner in the bowl! Such a small field and a lack of competition for the lead could prove the perfect ingredients for AHOY SENOR to bring his best to a track he relishes.

Even if Shishkin brings his best A game he faces a serious test from BRAVEMANSGAME for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. The Gold Cup runner-up and King George hero has done little wrong all this season and I suspect this trip is better for him than Cheltenham.

We don’t know what to expect from Shishkin. I was with AHOY SENOR in the Gold Cup and he was tanking along before he fell. I’ll stick with him as he’s impressed at Aintree before but it’s a tentative pick.

It’s a question of how many lengths will CONSTITUTION HILL win by? He’s going to bolt up once again so I like him to win by 12 lengths or more.

I want to see CONSTITUTION HILL have his crowning glory. He is a long way clear of all of these, and it should be a celebration.

CONSTITUTION HILL is exceptional and it’s good to see him out again. I stood beside the last hurdle at Cheltenham to see him reach for that final obstacle but it was never in doubt.

Not much to say here. The Champion Hurdle victor CONSTITUTION HILL has at least a stone or more in hand of all his rivals and should dance round for Nico de Boinville and Nicky Henderson. Totally different gravy. Epatante most likely to come second.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see CONSTITUTION HILL bolt up and win by six or seven lengths because Nico has geared him down towards the end. Sharjah could follow him home.

Winged Leader is a very good horse and you could argue that he’s the most likely winner but I’m going with NOT THAT FUISSE as a value pick. He has the pace and 2m5f will suit.

Top jockey and trainer combination gets LATENIGHTPASS the vote having won the race last year.

LATENIGHTPASS has an extraordinary record around this track and at the age of 10, I expect him to enhance that record further under regular pilot Gina Andrews. Second in 2021 and a good winner last year. He’s difficult to beat.

FAMOUS CLERMONT didn’t quite stay at Cheltenham in the equivalent race over regulation fences but still ran a cracker in sixth place behind Premier Magic. I suspect this trip will be ideal.

Winged Leader should go well but I’m going with SIR JACK YEATES at a price. He loves jumping the national fences and he’s interesting for Fergal O’Brien. His run style will suit the track and he comes alive at Aintree.

Dancing On My Own was second in this race last year behind THE LAST DAY but their handicap marks are a joke. They’ve both had two races since and The Last Day is now rated 135 while Dancing On My Own is rated 144.

I think you can forgive any horse a poor run, and the selection here got hampered early in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham. I will be happier to judge THE LAST DAY (each-way) on his win in this race last year.

This has been a happy hunting ground for the Rachael Blackmore/de Bromhead axis in recent years and I’m hoping they return to the winners’ enclosure with last year’s runner-up DANCING ON MY OWN.

There will be a strong gallop here and that should suit THIRD TIME LUCKI (each-way) down to the ground. Finished 4th in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham, and that was a fine effort.

I want to be against Douglas Talking as all of his wins have come in really small fields. I’ve landed on PAY THE PIPER, who is a very versatile runner. I’ve come to the conclusion that he’s a two-miler so this should suit him.

I was immediately drawn to SEEYOUINMYDREAMS for Harry Cobden and Paul Nicholls as I was really taken by her win at Newbury in March.

JOLIE COUER ALLEN got going all too late at Fontainebleau and the winner of the race that day Jesuba was very unlucky to get beaten by July Flower in a group one.

It’s rare I look beyond the Irish in bumpers but I couldn’t help but be impressed by the performance of SEEYOUINMYDREAMS at Newbury. She raced keenly but made all in a common canter which wasn’t a fluke.

In many ways a guessing game, but surely SEEYOUINMYDREAMS will take all the beating for Harry Cobden and Paul Nicholls. Her free running style might be suited to this course.

I’ll go JULY FLOWER as a token selection but I haven’t got major fancies in this. Her sire is Pastorius and I’m interested to see how his sons and daughters get on over a few races.