UK Horse Racing Tips: Aintree

Runner-up at Warwick in March, ROAD TO WEMBLEY confirmed the promise of that hurdling debut when scoring at Southwell. The son of Postponed landed the odds with the minimum of fuss and a 7lb penalty may not be enough to halt his good progress. Maskarvel's second at Huntingdon looks better in hindsight as the winner has gone in again since, while Into Battle beat a subsequent winner when runner-up at Kempton and is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Road To Wembley 2nd Maskarvel 3rd Into Battle

Masked Dance won this in 2024 and went close again in last year's renewal. However, she looks high enough in the weights at present and MERMAIDS CAVE makes more appeal. James Owen's mare resumed winning ways with a resounding success at Huntingdon last week and she's 2lb well-in, despite her penalty. Magical Maggie drops back in distance with a shout and is preferred to the returning My Chiquita.
Prediction : 1st Mermaids Cave 2nd Masked Dance 3rd Magical Maggie

GENOIS has hit a rich vein of form. He's won two of his last four starts and, given he finished full of running when second in a higher grade chase at Haydock last time, the 10-year-old looks worth sticking with. Coastguard Station is only 2lb higher than for last autumn's victory at Market Rasen and showed signs of a resurgence at Hereford recently. Newcastle scorer Parisencore makes more appeal than the other recent winners My Noble Lord and Breizh River.
Prediction : 1st Genois 2nd Coastguard Station 3rd Parisencore

SMOKERINGINTHEDARK won well over an extended 2m4f at Newcastle before posting another solid effort when second over an additional half-mile at Haydock. Those efforts demonstrated zest and versatility and another bold showing seems likely while his yard remains in good form. Brewin'upastorm, Fingal's Hill and Break Point form a strong body of opposition and warrant betting checks. However, the class-dropping Static should be suited by stepping back up in trip and could be the biggest danger.
Prediction : 1st Smokeringinthedark 2nd Static 3rd Brewinupastorm

CALIMYSTIC has been profitable to follow in his completed starts and is an attractive proposition after successive wins over fences at Newbury and Sandown. A 6lb rise for the latter effort pushes the Nicky Henderson-trained seven-year-old into uncharted territory, but the top-weight could be progressive enough to take another step forward. Aboutdamntime and My Bobby Dazzler are noteworthy, although Regarde has some decent form in this discipline and may be the most potent threat.
Prediction : 1st Calimystic 2nd Regarde 3rd Aboutdamntime

JAMADA was a ready winner at Fakenham last month and looks primed for another step forward. A mark of 109 is a realistic starting point for handicaps and the mount of Sean Bowen looks a solid option. The versatile Spartan Times was a surprise winner at Uttoxeter, but went about the task well enough to suggest he can hold his own once again. Land Of Punt, who tries a first-time visor, and A Good Yomp are others with each-way claims.
Prediction : 1st Jamada 2nd Spartan Times 3rd Land Of Punt

Guet Apens failed to justify favouritism when filling the runner-up spot at Kelso last month, but this represents just his second outing in handicap company and he has to be respected. CAELAN only found one too good on his return from a break at Ffos Las and competes off just a 1lb higher rating. With Sean Bowen back in the plate, he looks the one to side with. Of the remainder, Inappropriate makes the most appeal.
Prediction : 1st Caelan 2nd Guet Apens 3rd Inappropriate

Point winner CALL ME KEN made the perfect start under Rules when victorious at Exeter and is likely to have lots of improvement in him. Now representing Jake Coulson, the five-year-old appears to have been found a good opportunity to defy his penalty and remain unbeaten. College Road bolted up between the flags last month and needs to be taken seriously on his first bumper start, while Carrillo is another to keep an eye on.
Prediction : 1st Call Me Ken 2nd College Road 3rd Carrillo