Racing - Aintree 13th April

Tough first day. Aintree marks the end of my betting year and end of the jumps season. I usually get a last minute boost from the meeting - and I could do without the opposite happening this year!

Aintree 2:00
Aces Four 3/1
Ungaro 4/1
Turko 6/1
Killaghy Castle 7/1
Faasel 9/1
Boychuck 20/1
Dom Dorgeval 20/1

As with yesterday I have two here who let me down at the festival. Ungaro didn't seem to take to the track - or more accurately was ridden as though they believed that would be the case beforehand and were protecting him. This should be much more his cup of tea and I don't need much encouragement to get involved again. The track should also help Turko but I can't summon up quite as much enthusiasm.

Ungaro 5pts win at 11/2+



Aintree 2:35
Wichita Lineman Evens
Massinis Maguire 4/1
Silverburn 11/2
Imperial Commander 20/1
Wee Forbees 20/1

The form for this race looks very solid and I'd see them finishing in this order. If only life was that simple!


Aintree 3:10
Well chief Evens
Taranis 4/1
Monets Garden 11/2
Hi Cloy 12/1

Taranis did us a huge favour when winning at the festival and forming part of a big treble. However, he does look up against it here - the allowances in the Ryanair definitely helped. I expect I'll have a modest bet on him nearer the time, and on Hi Cloy who was the cornerstone of a successful Aintree last year.


Aintree 3:45
Irish Raptor 12/1
Brooklyn Breeze 12/1
Briery Fox 12/1
Umbrella Man 12/1
Le Volfoni 20/1
On The Net 20/1
Milan Deux Mille 20/1
Lord of Illusion 20/1
Turthen 20/1
Iron Man 33/1
Latimers Place 33/1
Hakim 33/1
Patman Du Charmil 33/1
Risk Accessor 33/1
Lost Time 33/1

Wide open. Umbrella Man is a fragile beast and may have been amiss last time. Nothing wrong the time before that though and at the prices has to be a small bet. I can see Risk Acessor placing off bottomweight and Lord of Illusion and Milan Deux Mille also take the eye but only at fair prices.

Umbrella Man 3pts win at 25/1+


Aintree 4:20
De Soto 7/2
Osana 7/2
Ouninpohja 4/1
Tyson 9/1
Enforce 20/1

I've priced Osana on the basis I really thought he'd go close in the Supreme Novices if given the chance, and I thought he ran a cracker in the County to stay on off a throat-cutting pace that played into the hands of the likes of Ouninpohja. The latter will no doubt come to win the race but probably find yet another way of losing!

Osana 3pts win at 4/1


Aintree 4:55
CopsaleLad 13/2
Reveillez 9/1
Undeniable 10/1
Lankawi 10/1
New Alco 11/1
Lacdoudal 11/1
Green Belt Flyer 11/1
Limerick Boy 20/1
Pole Star 20/1
Lou Du Moulin Mas 20/1

Some exposed rogues here. New Alco was one of my festival losers - I had a nice four figure sum running onto him at Cheltenham and he couldn't even place! He does look exposed and Aintree on quicker ground unlikely to suit as well as his favourite track, but as you'll have guessed I will keep him on-side, especially in the get rich quick trebles. However, two lurkers at the bottom of the weights here look worth a normal bet. Undeniable still looks well-treated and Lankawi may have more improvement in him, not something you can say about many of these.

Undeniable 3pts win at 14/1+
Lankawi 3pts win at 14/1+