Aintree Tips: Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

The Turners Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham was pound-for-pound the best of its kind throughout the entire four days, and of the three who reoppose from that soundly run affair a month ago, COLONEL HARRY (best price 12-1) is expected to take the biggest step forward and prove the joker in the pack. 

Usually a prominent racer, the decision to hold him up out the back door was always unlikely to work on a track (New Course) that plays into the hands of those up with the speed and so it proved, as Jamie Snowden’s inmate never had a sniff of causing a shock.

He did, however, fare best of those held up off the pace that is just one of the reasons why he might be capable of a more positive result over today’s more conventional circuit. 

A Grade 2 winner on soft ground, tomorrow’s even more testing conditions will suit and providing Gavin Sheehan is more live to the dangers this time around, his mount could easily be the one to chase home most likely winner, Grey Dawning. 

COLONEL HARRY – ½ point win @ 12-1 without Grey Dawning

Unlike some of the Grade 1’s from Cheltenham, the form of the Triumph Hurdle often stands the test at this meeting a month on and with that in mind, KARGESE (best price 3-1) and NURBURGRING (best price 10-1) rate solid alternatives to what appears a shaky favourite on paper. 

The former fared best of the pair by some way and for large portions of what turned out to be a strongly run juvenile contest, she looked like she was going to walk away with the prize.

However, a mistake at the last cost her valuable momentum and old rival Majborough was in no mood to refuse the offer presented to him and in the end, Willie Mullins’ filly had to settle for an honourable second. 

Given the way she travels, today’s flatter track should, in theory, suit better, and she can follow hot on the heels of Apple’s Jade and Zenta, two recent winners from the fairer sex housed at Closutton. 

KARGESE – 1-point win @ 3-1

The latter, in contrast to Kargese, was ridden in an unusual way to say the least, J J Slevin, seemingly taking the view a pace collapse was likely to be the order of the day. 

As things panned out, his tactics to have nothing to do with the early speed backfired in a major way and even though the son of Zoffany did well to salvage something from the wreckage, the dye was cast a long way from home from a win perspective.

In the hope Danny Mullins is instructed to have his mount closer to the gallop, Joseph O’Brien’s gelding is fancied to outrun his odds. 

NURBURGRING – ½ point win @ 10-1

Losing stable star Gesskille was a bitter pill to swallow for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero but the ill-fated seven-year-old was proof if ever needed that the Cheshire-based outfit are more than capable of preparing a horse for the big Aintree fences and the legacy can continue with GABORIOT (best price 11-1) in this one-lap event around the famous course. 

Really good in so many aspects when returning to these ranks at Catterick last time out, he looked like a horse who was simply different gear to his rivals and providing he takes to the fences at the first time of asking, his ability to stay further should stand him in good stead in the final half a mile. 

GABORIOT – 1-point each-way @ 11-1

History dictates it remains extremely difficult to back up a good run in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham, so Its On The Line and Time Leader may be unable to justify their positions in the markets and another who, like the main selection, could take advantage is BENNYS KING (best price 15-2).

Runner-up in this race last season, Dan Skelton’s inmate arrives here having dished out a thrashing to several high-profile performers in this sphere and with a run style that often gets rewarded around the one lap of the Aintree course, he could play a pivotal role from the front. 

BENNYS KING – 1-point each-way @ 15-2

SANS BRUIT (best price 9-1) remains one of the biggest unknown quantities in this field and a chance is taken Paul Nicholls’ inmate can finally live up to the expectation levels since leaving his previous French base. 

Good enough not only to contest but to run well in last season’s French Champion Hurdle behind the likes of Thelme and Klassical Dream, big things were anticipated from the six-year-old on moving to a yard renown for their skills with our Gallic cousins but on the evidence of his first two starts on these shores, his performances fell well short of the mark. 

Back over fences at Chepstow last time he did, however, show a good deal more promise and even though he didn’t win, his effort in chasing home the previous course winner, Prince Quali, was a creditable one. 

The feature of his effort at the Welsh venue was how well he jumped and travelled throughout a strongly run affair and with today’s sharper track likely to play more into his strengths, he makes plenty of appeal at his current odds. 

SANS BRUIT – 1-point each-way @ 9-1

The point-to-point fought out by HONKY TONK HIGHWAY (best price 5-1) and DIVA LUNA (best price 15-2) could well turn out to be the key event in this concluding mares’ contest and the pair are taken against the field. 

The former came out on top of a protracted dual against her old rival at Tattersalls Farm back in October and she was well supported to make a winning rules debut at Sandown for new connections. Despite coming off the bridle and looking in trouble half a mile from home, she ultimately stayed on best of all to walk away with the prize and it was simply a question of her superior stamina gaining the day. 

Said to only come here if conditions were suitable after the race, the rain which has fallen in recent days will be a welcome relief for connections and if this race turns into a slog down the home straight, she will be equipped to cope better than most. 

HONKY TONK HIGHWAY – 1-point win @ 5-1

The latter also made a sparkling rules debut at a similar level at Market Rasen and she too, has had this race as her ultimate target ever since. 

Although she was made to work hard for victory at the Lincolnshire venue, the fact she still came out on top despite racing on the slowest part of the track (inside) says a lot for her class and hailing from a yard who have done well in this division this season, Ben Pauling mare looks booked to go well. 

DIVA LUNA – 1-point win @ 15-2