Aintree Top Novices' Hurdle Betting Tips

Andy Holding

Jonbon has to be the automatic favourite based on his gallant effort against the mighty Constitution Hill in the Supreme at the Cheltenham Festival, but whether he should be four times the price of stable mate FIRST STREET (best price 4-1), who also carries strong form into this Grade 1, is open to debate.

Since having his wind done, Nicky Henderson’s gelding has improved immeasurably on his early endeavours over hurdles and following a smooth victory at Kempton in January, he went on to run an absolute blinder in the competitive Betfair Hurdle at Newbury a month later.

Clearly well suited by a strongly run handicap environment, the son of Golden Horn threw his cap into the ring once again in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham last time and although he proved no match for the well-backed winner, State Man, his performance in finishing a creditable second easily comes out as a career high.

Moreover, considering he was the only one of the runners who raced around the inside to be involved in the shake-up adds extra credence to his effort (similar story regards Knight Salute in the Triumph) and with today’s flat, sharp, left-handed track set to suit this improving five-year-old down to the ground, he rates a cracking each-way bet at the prices.

Architect Tips

A DIFFERENT KIND (best price 40-1) lost his unbeaten record when third at Cheltenham in a listed event last-time-out but that was still a good effort considering the hurdles were omitted down the home straight and he pretty much set it up for the eventual first and second in the closing stages. He’s entering a new territory here stepping up to the highest level but the drop back to two-miles looks a good move, especially with how much raw pace he’s demonstrated in each of his previous victories. I know it’s going to be difficult to win this but Donald McCain clearly feels as though he’s up to being competitive in some sort of way and therefore could surprise a few with a performance that can hopefully see him exceed market expectations and reward each-way supporters by hitting the frame at massive odds.