Horse Racing Tips: Paddy Pundits’ Epic Cheat Sheet for Day 2 at Aintree on Friday

I loved the way Chianti Classico finished up the hill at Cheltenham and I can see him doing the same again.

IROKO was never placed to challenge in the Turners at Cheltenham but with that race under his belt after a long lay off he might be able to pick up Chianti Classico.

IROKO takes on two handicap winners from Cheltenham but has always struck me as the graded type.

INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN recorded a first success over fences in fine style when landing the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival, relishing the step up in trip, and he can continue his progression to follow up returned to Grade 1 company.

Heart Wood was seriously impressive at  Leopardstown and Henry de Bromhead does particularly well at Aintree with his runners.

A former Grade 1 winner at this course Jango Baie (each-way) has a big chance in this handicap. Willie Mullins’ Ocastle Des Mottes could be dangerous off his mark tooo.

MAKING HEADWAY looks like a horse crying out for further and gets a longer trip here again for the Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero team. Let’s hope it’s a big day for them.

OCASTLE DES MOTTES was too keen at Cheltenham and a change of tactics might work.

An ultra-competitive handicap. MAKING HEADWAY is one who should have more to offer now stepping up to 2½m so he’s the suggestion on the back of his good run in the Imperial Cup.

Ocastle Des Mottes has two solid runs in competitive handicaps and can make it third time lucky now.

Dysart Enos looked so go when winning the bumper here last season. She gets 7lbs from the boys and had already beaten Cheltenham winner Golden Ace well before missing the Festival through injury.

PERSONAL AMBITION has little chance with a rating of 131 as he’s likely to be the outsider of the field. However, he goes in deep ground and will probably run from the front so he’s not one to totally dismiss.

FIREFOX. Unlucky not to be involved at Cheltenham and can turn the tables with Mystical Power.

A son of the illustrious mare Annie Power, MYSTICAL POWER has quickly reached a smart level over hurdles, enhancing his form further when runner-up in last month’s Supreme at the Cheltenham Festival, and he looks to hold sound claims of resuming winning ways with the prospect of more to come on the back of just 4 career starts.

Mistergif will appreciate this flatter track after not getting up the hill at Cheltenham. He is overpriced.

Jonbon loves this track and won here last year but if the Henderson team aren’t firing I’ll side with Protektorat.

PROTEKTORAT was huge for this column at Cheltenham and I see no reason why he won’t go in again. He should get a lovely lead from Pic D’Orhy.

JONBON. The best horse.

The 1-2-3 from this year’s Ryanair again do battle but it’s a notable absentee from the Cheltenham Festival JONBON who’s selected to regain the winning thread having been undone by a rare jumping blip in the rearranged Clarence House on Trials Day in January. Confidence would only heighten should the yard’s handful of runners go well on Thursday.

Jonbon is the best horse in the race and this is his ideal trip. He will return to form.

Classic Getaway (each-way) carries top weight but looks up to it. The track and trip should suit and he has a big chance.

LIFE IN THE PARK (each-way) has to be proven over these fences but provided he doesn’t hate the place he has serious claims. This slightly longer trip is ideal and he has loads of form in big field handicap.

JAMES DU BERLAIS might have too much weight to win but his style of racing is made for this. You should get a run for your money.

Plenty are in with a shout. SHAKEM UP’ARRY impressed when landing the Plate at last month’s Festival and with his jumping an asset he can complete a hat-trick in this prestigious event.

James Du Berlais is the ideal type for this with rapid jumping and a high cruising speed.

The Jukebox Man was just chinned at Cheltenham but will love the heavy ground. Shanagh Bob should out-run his odds.

I’ve always loved SHANAGH BOB and while there is a risk with any Nicky Henderson horse this week I’ll keep the faith.

READING TOMMY WRONG can’t be as bad as his Cheltenham run and will hopefully bounce back.

READIN TOMMY WRONG arrived as a warm order to land the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham and, while he produced a tame display, he’s worth a chance to set the record straight at the possible expense of The Jukebox Man, who was runner-up in that race.

Reading Tommy Wrong had an off day at Cheltenham and can redeem himself here. He has a touch of speed other stayers won’t.

Go Dante has been ultra-consistent all season and was a good winner at Sandown last time. There’s still mileage in his handicap mark.

GO DANTE  has still got some wiggle room on his handicap mark after landing the Imperial Cup at Sandown last time.  He was raised 5lb for that win but it is negated a little by conditional Dylan Johnston taking off 5lb.

ZEEBAND, a decent each-way price.

It wouldn’t be any great surprise were the Irish raiders to dominate with ZEEBAND spearheading the half-a-dozen challengers from across the pond. He has got his act together over hurdles in recent weeks and there could be even more to come from him given his exploits on the Flat a few years ago.

Zeeband is improving rapidly and the Paul Gilligan stable is having a great season. He can put a cherry on top of it for them.