Road to Cheltenham had a 6/1 winner on Day 1 of the Aintree Festival. Check out his Day 2 picks here.
William Hill Mildmay Novices' Chase
The ladies will be flocking to Liverpool in their finery on Friday for Day 2 of the Grand National Festival and punters will be looking to back a winner or two ahead of the big race on Saturday.
14:20 Aintree
Some believe that SALVER is a mudlark but he has some solid form on nicer ground and I’m hoping he can secure a Grade 1 after winning two Grade 2 races over fences. Caoilin Quinn gets a real tune out of him and he brings the best level of form to the race.
He’s been busy enough, with five chase starts this season but he seems to be a horse that thrives with racing and I’m not expecting the quick turnaround to be an issue. It’s not the strongest race in the world and hopefully he can get the job done.
Gold Dancer is the best rated horse on paper but I’d be happy enough to take him on in this race. Wendigo probably wants a stiffer test of stamina but the long run-in will help him if he’s in contention turning in. However, Salver is the one to beat for me.
Midnite
Oddschecker Sefton Novices' Hurdle
16:40 Aintree
An intriguing runner for the Joseph O’Brien team, ZEUS POWER steps up to three miles for the first time and he was hugely eye-catching when finishing third to King Rasko Grey in the Turners Novices Hurdle.
He was a massive price that day so you’d imagine that connections weren’t expecting much but he ran a big race and Aintree is a track that is likely to suit. J J Slevin is back in the saddle after his suspension and hopefully he can galvanise his mount to victory.
It’s not the deepest Grade 1 you’ll ever see and it’s worth taking a chance on a runner that has huge upside. Zeus Power ticks that box – it’s just whether he will see out the trip and that’s worth risking at his current price.
Debenhams Handicap Hurdle
17:15 Aintree
A horse with a lofty enough reputation going into the season, it would be fair to suggest that HARRY LOWES hasn’t quite lived up to the hype so far. However, he’s certainly got the talent to win a big race and Friday’s finale at Aintree could be the one.
His form ties in with the likes of Scorpio Rising, Top Jimmy and Lisbane Park and the JP McManus runner could have a fair bit in hand off a mark of 124. He’s not been missed in the market, but he has lots going for him – especially with Tristan Durrell in the saddle.
He beat the well regarded Mighty Park in a point-to-point at Quakerstown and that could turn out to look very strong form in years to come. Dan Skelton is a superb target trainer and Harry Lowes could be one of his best handicap chances of the week.
