UK Horse Racing Tips: Aintree

Grey Dawning beat Ginny's Destiny (second) and Colonel Harry (sixth) in the Turners at the Cheltenham Festival last month and he might be worth more than his winning distance of two lengths suggests. He is fancied to confirm his superiority over those rivals, but could find IL ETAIT TEMPS too good. Willie Mullins' six-year-old could only manage third when fancied for the Arkle, but the step back up in distance may help his jumping this time around and it would be no surprise to see him take a step forward.
Prediction : 1st Il Etait Temps 2nd Grey Dawning 3rd Ginnys Destiny

A cloud may still hang over the well-being of the Nicky Henderson stable, but the exciting SIR GINO may be just the tonic to get them back on track. The French import made quite the impression at Cheltenham in January and having missed his intended engagement in the Triumph Hurdle, he arrives here fresh and ready to lay down a marker as the best juvenile hurdler around. A Grade 1 winner at the Dublin Racing Festival, Kargese arguably sets the standard on form following a fine second in the Triumph behind stablemate Majborough. The unbeaten Kalif Du Berlais may well be a chaser in the making, but he got up late to score in the Adonis at Kempton and looks to have a similar profile to Monmiral, who won this for the stable in 2021.
Prediction : 1st Sir Gino 2nd Kargese 3rd Kalif Du Berlais

Having landed the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal in November, Gerri Colombe has had the unenviable task of chasing home Galopin Des Champs on his last two starts, most recently in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. Gordon Elliott's eight-year-old is bound to be popular, but SHISHKIN gets the vote. Things haven't gone entirely to plan this season, but he looked the likely winner when unseating in the King George and then took the Denman Chase at Newbury. There have been shoots of life coming from the Nicky Henderson yard of late and last year's winner, who can emulate Docklands Express, Silviniaco Conti and Clan Des Obeaux in landing back-to-back renewals, might benefit from being fresher than his rivals. Corbetts Cross was a facile winner of the National Hunt Chase and Emmet Mullins' unexposed chaser might yet be capable at this level, while it would be dangerous to rule out Ahoy Senor, who will relish the return to this venue.
Prediction : 1st Shishkin 2nd Gerri Colombe 3rd Corbetts Cross

This looks an ideal test for BOB OLINGER and he should take an awful lot of beating. After appearing past his best for a while, he has bounced back in no uncertain terms this season, backing up a couple of Grade 2 wins with a solid second behind subsequent Champion Hurdle hero State Man at the Dublin Racing Festival. Henry de Bromhead's nine-year-old had today's biggest rival Impaire Et Passe five lengths behind at Leopardstown and he can confirm his superiority en route to recording a fourth top-level success. Impaire Et Passe didn't appear to enjoy more forceful tactics in the Irish Champion so it would be no surprise if Paul Townend elects to take a lead on this occasion, although he could have a target on his back, with Rachael Blackmore likely to sit further behind on the selection. Of those at longer odds, Nemean Lion may go forward and surprise one or two.
Prediction : 1st Bob Olinger 2nd Impaire Et Passe 3rd Nemean Lion

With six of the last 12 winners of this contest running at the Cheltenham Festival beforehand, both Its On The Line (second) and Time Leader (third) warrant respect after their efforts in defeat in the St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup last month. However, 2022 Topham third ANNAMIX might put his experience over the Grand National fences to good use and he edges the vote. Willie Mullins' grey arrives on the back of a 10-length romp at Gowran Park and could give the Irish maestro a first victory in this race as a trainer, having landed it as an amateur jockey back in 1983.
Prediction : 1st Annamix 2nd Its On The Line 3rd Time Leader

Unexpected Party clearly appreciated the step back to 2m when winning the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival last month but even though an 8lb rise doesn't look excessive, he has had a long season and it remains to be seen how much that race has taken out of him. IRISH BLAZE readily accounted for three subsequent winners on just his second start for this stable at Down Royal in January and after finishing a solid third behind two smart rivals at Punchestown subsequently, he represents some value and can outrun his forecast odds with Carl Millar claiming a handy 7lb off his back. The unexposed Sans Bruit finished second on his UK chasing bow at Chepstow and is just one other to consider.
Prediction : 1st Irish Blaze 2nd Unexpected Party 3rd Sans Bruit

BABY KATE is a mare of huge potential and has a live chance of giving Willie Mullins his second winner of this race. Although small in stature, the daughter of Champs Elysees proved she has a big engine when landing a Listed bumper at Cheltenham and, considering her dam also won at that level before going on to Grade 1 success over hurdles, the future is bright for this progressive five-year-old. Honky Tonk Highway also defends an unblemished record and, with the ground in her favour, a big run is expected. Jubilee Alpha and Speculatrix are other promising types to consider.
Prediction : 1st Baby Kate 2nd Honky Tonk Highway 3rd Jubilee Alpha