Aintree betting tips: Jane Mangan’s Friday fancies for Day 2 of the Grand National Festival

Racing TV's Jane Mangan gives us her fabulous Friday flutters Day 2 in Merseyside.

By / Horse Racing Tips / 1 year ago

Jane Mangan’s Aintree Tips:

13:45 – Gerri Colombe
14:20 – Buddy One (each-way)
14:55 – Inthepocket
15:30 – Fakir DOudairies
16:05 – Ashtown Lad
16:40 – Iroko
17:15 – Nibiru

13:45 – Gerri Colombe

This looks an ideal opportunity for GERRI COLOMBE to gain compensation for narrowly missing out on glory at Cheltenham in the Brown Advisory Novice Chase. The more rain the better his chances but regardless, I think he’s the only genuine Grade 1 horse in this race. Galia des Liteaux and Bronn both ran well behind him last month but it’s difficult to see them reversing the form with Gordon Elliott’s rising star.

14:20 – Buddy One (each-way)

An ultra-competitive handicap and one where those who were slightly unlucky at Cheltenham may have their chance to right their wrongs. My each-way selection is Paul Gilligan’s BUDDY ONE (up 4lbs) who may have won the Martin Pipe Conditional riders event but for hanging left under pressure. I would expect a more patient ride this time and hopefully he can go close again for the father and son team.

More patient tactics may also see Camprond (up 5lbs) back to winning ways considering he was only caught late on in the Coral Cup. Aidan Coleman will know he was unlucky last time and that he could still be on a favourable mark for this event.

14:55 – Inthepocket

I have been a fan of INTHEPOCKET since his maiden win at Wexford and he’s done nothing but confirm that promise ever since. His best trip could yet prove further than two miles but he didn’t disgrace himself in the Supreme when fourth to Marine Nationale and was impeded by the winner when second at the Dublin Racing Festival. This isn’t nearly as strong as the Supreme and I suspect better ground will help his chances which should make him very difficult to beat. One worth watching at bigger odds is No Looking Back for Oliver McKiernan who has some smart form as possesses a good turn of foot.

15:30 – Fakir DOudairies

French Dynamite was a late non-runner at Fairyhouse last week due to rain sodden ground with connections deciding Aintree might prove a better option in terms of ground and opportunity. I expect him to run a career best here after a solid run in defeat in the Ryanair Chase but he’s well held on recent form by Joseph O’Brien’s FAKIR DOUDAIRIES. This bonny French bred is bidding for a hat-trick of wins in this race and despite disappointing at Ascot last time, this guy comes alive at Aintree. Last year he comprehensively beat Hitman and I expect him to confirm that form. It may well be an Irish 1-2 with the aforementioned pair selected to fight out the finish.

16:05 – Ashtown Lad

ASHTOWN LAD looked a natural over the evergreens last December when he beat Gesskille in the Becher Chase for Dan and Harry Skelton. Since then, he has been campaigned over hurdles with this race in mind. The handicapper handed him a 6lb rise which seems fair and he must have a serious chance of snaring another major prize here. Each way you say? One at much bigger odds that might be worth a nibble is Ted Walsh’s Batcio who runs off a 7lb lower mark than when second in the race last season.

16:40 – Iroko

Stepping up an extra 4 furlongs could make IROKO very difficult to beat in this 3 mile test. Stay Away Fay was very good in the Albert Bartlett but the Martin Pipe winner was just getting the hang of things when powering home in the handicap having looked beaten 2 furlongs from home. Now with the assistance of Mark Walsh, Iroko can take that crucial step into Grade 1 company in the best possible fashion.

17:15 – Nibiru

We kept the most difficult puzzle until last! Tony Martin has his horses in fantastic form this season and fresh from bagging the Pertemps at Cheltenham, he can win another big prize here courtesy of NIBIRU who was a good second to Gaelic Warrior at the Dublin Racing Festival last time. He comes here fresh having skipped unsuitably soft ground at Cheltenham and as usual for the trainer, expect this horse to be flashing home late.

Jane Mangan’s Aintree Tips:

13:45 – Gerri Colombe
14:20 – Buddy One (each-way)
14:55 – Inthepocket
15:30 – Fakir DOudairies
16:05 – Ashtown Lad
16:40 – Iroko
17:15 – Nibiru

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