Aidan O’Hara’s Betting Tips For Aintree Festival Day 1

Tip 1: Boothill - ½ point EW

Best odds of 50/1 at bet365, 888sport while publishing.

Brookie 1-point EW 

Best odds of 28/1 available at bet365 while publishing.

I’m going for a couple of big priced ones here in what looks an open race, and possibly not as good as the Grand Annual in Cheltenham

I start with Boothill, he ran well for us in Cheltenham when he got behind early and ran on well to be 8th in the end. It won’t take much improvement for him to get involved here with another drop in handicap mark, after that relatively eye-catching run. He is down 18lbs in 18 months and although he clearly needed it, I think were at the point of form and mark that he must be backed at a big price. The stable are well able to target a handicap.

In addition, Brookie clearly stands out after a very good run here last year in the grade 1 Magull. He also ran well at Punchestown, and this time of the year looks to suit him. The way he finished last year on the long straight , really augurs well for a good run here. He’s a big price because he ran in the Champion Case at Cheltenham, but got behind early, and unsurprisingly was never in it. I think that run can be ignored and it also got him another 3 lbs back. Any kind of bounce back here at all and he will be right in the mix, as one of the likely winners.  

Tip 2: Java Point - 1 Point EW (5 places)

Best odds of 66/1 at SpreadEx, BetVictor while publishing.

Gaboriot - ½ Point Win

Best odds of 22/1 at bet365 while publishing.

This looks a good race, and over the years I’ve generally gone with something at a huge price. This year's main dart is Java Point. He jumps well, and travels strongly in his races, which is usually what you want around here. I think this race could really suit him. He has also been in good form this year in some decent hunter chases. His last run was an improvement on good ground in what looked a good race.

Although he stayed further in handicaps, he often didn’t quite get it done in the end, and I think this trip may suit him.

It’s hard not to have a small win bet on Gaboriot at about 20/1. He was my pick for this earlier this week at bigger prices, but I must have a small win bet just in case, after my last-minute switch to Java Point . This horse has run well in the last 2 running’s of the Grand Sefton here over course and distance, and if we just ignore everything else he looks sure to get back to form around here, in a weaker race. The price is still worth a small win bet.

Tip 3: Pic Dorhy - 1 Point win

Best odds of 16/1 at Betfred while publishing.

I can see negatives with every horse in this race. I think Impaire Et Passe running at Cheltenham is a negative, as in Jango Baie running in a very tough Gold Cup. Spillane’s Tower would probably prefer softer ground but is probably still value at 9/2.

All that said I’m going to have a small bet on PIC DORHY. On his day he is top class and having had a break since an excellent race against Jonbon in February, he arrives here with a real chance, even as an 11yo.

His record after a break is very good really, and he is the type that if he gets going jumping early, we will get a good run for our money. Really, he is an Ascot specialist but I honestly think this track could well suit him, with others with questions to answer. 16/1 is big enough to have a bet the way the race looks.

Tip 4: Indian River - ½ Point EW

Best odds of 50/1 available at bet365 while publishing.

This looks a nice race, but as usual in this meeting I must look outside the standard, as in the past this has had some mad results.

If there is a horse in here that can break into race from the outsiders here it looks to me to be INDIAN RIVER. He was unbeaten going into Cheltenham but got a very poor passage being blocked a few times in the last 3 furlongs. Additionally, he would need to brush up on his jumping. If he can improve, I think he can still be there with a chance 2 out. From there I’m happy to be on at 50/1 plus.

Compared to a few at bigger prices, he is still unexposed after that run and has looked a bit green so should have more improvement in him.

Your Next Aintree Read

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Liam Firkin's Day 1 Aintree Tips

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Road to Cheltenham's Day 1 Aintree Tips

Ginger Joe's Tips for Day 1 Aintree Festival

Steve Ryder's Free Tips for Aintree Festival Day 1

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