Aintree Day 1: Tips for Every Race in the ITV7 Today

The Grade 1 Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Race 1) has attracted a quality field of five, and while I like the chances of Kalif Du Berlais, for this competition's purposes, Nicky Henderson’s SIR GINO is handed the vote. 

He has been extremely impressive in winning both of his starts in Britain, and although he was forced to skip Cheltenham when the stable was under the weather, he remains an exciting prospect. He could be difficult to beat. 

The Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle (Race 3) should be a battle between Impaire Et Passe and BOB OLINGER, with preference for the latter. 

Henry de Bromhead’s nine-year-old has a terrific record when the ground is heavy in the description, and he only found State Man too good in the Irish Champion Hurdle last time out. 

This is his best distance, and this race has been the plan since his last start, in which he had his big rival Impaire Et Passe in behind. 

This course should really suit his strong-travelling style of racing, and the remainder are not in the same league as these two. Rachael Blackmore’s mount can gain another win at the highest level. 

Next up, we head to Southwell for the Liz And Izzy's HOAP Podcast Handicap (Race 4), and I like the chances of PATH TO DUBAI. James Tate’s charge impressively landed the spoils on his debut at this course and was unlucky not to retain his unbeaten record last time out. 

He hit the line very strongly once he got himself into top gear and came within a short-head of success under his penalty. Based on that evidence alone, he should be suited to the step-up in trip, and an opening handicap debut mark of 77 should be within his compass. 

This year’s Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase (Race 5) is one of the strongest-looking renewals of recent times. 

However, TIME LEADER made some late progress to take fifth in this race last year and then racked up a sequence of wins prior to an excellent third at the Cheltenham Festival last month. 

He looked like the winner for much of the race, so this drop in distance will suit, and I’m quite optimistic about his credentials in this race. Excellent claims.

The next race at Southwell that is part of the ITV7 is the Download The PlanetSportBet App Handicap (Race 6). 

ANOTHER INVESTMENT just loves the all-weather, and he’s gone close on two stronger races than this the last two times at Newcastle. 

He remains 7Ib higher than his last winning mark, but has more to come on this surface and should be in contention. Rossa Ryan is booked to ride. 

The final race on today’s ITV7 is the Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Race 7), and this is a good opportunity for SAINT ROI to stamp his class on his rivals. 

This nine-year-old has been highly tried throughout his career, and this Grade 1-winning chaser is 2Ib lower than when sixth in the Grand Annual last month.

If he encountered a clear run and didn’t make a mistake late on, he might have been in the first three. His second in a Grade 1 race at this meeting last year reads well, so he must merit consideration in a winnable race.