Thursday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Although Zenta (best priced at 11/8) is facing fresh rivals who skipped the Cheltenham festival, I feel she sets the standard and should prove hard to beat if replicating her performance in the Triumph Hurdle. The Willie Mullins trained filly won a listed hurdle on her hurdling debut in France before making a winning debut for Willie Mullins at Fairyhouse in a Grade 3 juvenile hurdle on her first start in the colours of JP McManus.

Zenta was then pitched into the Triumph Hurdle on her next start where she travelled extremely well into the race before weakening up the Cheltenham hill into 3rd. Although the form was slightly let down by the fourth Gust Of Wind at Fairyhouse, I believe that this flatter track at Aintree will suit her better and she should get back to winning ways in this race.

This still looks a good renewal of the Aintree Bowl despite the late withdrawal of Bravemansgame but preference goes to his old rival Ahoy Senor (best priced at 11/4). The Lucinda Russell trained eight-year-old won the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle in 2021 beating Bravemansgame by seven lengths before following up that victory in the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase last year where he had Fury Road, L’Homme Presse and Bravemansgame all behind when he won easily by five lengths.

Ahoy Senor ran well back at this track when 3rd in the Many Clouds Chase in December despite jumping poorly throughout that contest. He won the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase in January and had a few of the market principles under pressure when falling at the 17th fence in the Gold Cup. Apparently he has got over that fall well and he has schooled well under the deputising Brian Hughes since and I am hoping he can record his third win at this meeting.

This looks a really competitive renewal of the Foxhunters’ Chase this year but preference goes to last year’s winner Latenightpass (best priced at 5/1) who comes into the race off the back of a similar preparation to last year. The Tom Ellis trained ten-year-old finished 2nd in this race in 2021 behind Cousin Pascal but that year it was following a 4th placed finish at the Cheltenham festival. His preparation for the race last year was in PTPs where he beat Cat Tiger by 1 ¼ lengths under regular rider Gina Andrews and his only defeat since came on his reappearance when he was only beaten a head by the high class and race-fit Shantou Flyer who subsequently finished 3rd at the Cheltenham Festival.

Latenightpass has won his next two PTPs albeit only by a neck last time but that should put him spot on for defending his crown and I expect him to be involved in the finish once again with up to six places on offer.