Inspiral_Carpet Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 Well, the mini Cheltenham has arrived. Smaller fields and not as competitive but still some very classy horses running. Take the opening race for example - what a start to the meeting! 2.00 Long Distance Hurdle The main contenders from the Champion Hurdle are back. Will Black Jack stand up this time? Can old Inglis Drever still pull some more out of the bag? Will Mighty Man find Aintree more to his liking that Cheltenham and reverse the form with ID? I think yes, and I stand by my Mighty Man! 2.35 Betfair Bowl Again, a mini-Cheltenham re-run this time of The Gold Cup but without Kauto Star. That surely opens the door for Exotic Dancer. 3.10 Anniversary Hurdle Katchit was a good winner at Cheltenham and while he is no real price, he's my selection here. 3.45 Foxhunters Chase Our first look at the big Grand National fences. Therefore, while over a much shorter distance, that says "lottery" to me and so definitely no bet - especially with amateurs on board. I've always liked Gangsters R Us though and hope it runs well. Let's just hope all the horses survive. 4.20 Red Rum Chase The biggest surprise for me at Cheltenham was seeing Andreas "get brave" and actually win a race. I reckon that is about as good as it gets for this dodge-pot. Marshall Hall has got some good form though and I take it to win at a bigger price. 4.55 Mersey Hurdle Not got a clue. Liberate ran well at Cheltenham but this looks a good competitive race with some useful types like Wins Now, Tidal Bay and Bedlam Boy. I like Russian Composers though so Khachaturian is my e/w "guess". This should improve over time and is likely to be 50/1 plus. 5.30 John Smith Handicap Hurdle A very trappy handicap to conclude. I liked the way Burnoakboy won the Coral Cup at Cheltenham and he justifies favouritism for me. A good start to Aintree and the horses I really fancy are short prices so I probably will just enjoy watching rather than having a bet. May have a couple of quid on Mighty Man (nap) though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimiT Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 (edited) I do enjoy the Aintree festival. The opener is a real cracker. At the price, I can't back BJK. Granted he won here in a novice hurdle last year and should be the freshest after his fall at Cheltenham, but he still has too much to prove. For me this race is between World Hurlde Champion, Inglis Drever and Aintree specialist, Mighty Man. I'm backing Inglis Drever. The course and conditions are ideal for Mighty Man but I can't desert a horse who proved how much of a fighter he is at Cheltenham and at 5/2 he's well worth backing. The second race is a belter too. Exotic Dancer is the obvious choice after he stalked Kauto Star all the way, impressively at Cheltenham. His price is too short though. State of Play to me didn't look to be in the same class and I'm assuming his short price is down to his previous Aintree form. To me, he's best fresh and he certainly won't be too fresh here. That leaves the enigma that is Our Vic. A stunning recovery to finish second in the Ryanair was quite eye catching. Then again, he trailed badly behind an old favourite in Grey Abbey two years ago here in the Betfair Chase. Based upon that superb second, I'm going to be on Our Vic. Madness? Probably. 3.10 Katchit was impressive at Cheltenham also, had a couple of these behind them and should win this here. Foxhunters, no selection. Like Inspiral, I can't back Andreas in the 4.20. Let's people down far too often. I quite like Hasty Prince who was second behind Andreas at the festival. I'd take Liberate to win the 4.55. Not a great price but in decent form and should handle the ground. The last race, I'm not too sure on so shan't post a selection. All in all a packed day's action. Pity I'll be working but should be able to get the BBC's coverage through the internet to keep a sneaky eye on events. If it's half as profitable as Cheltenham was, it should be a cracker. Swift edit to correct spelling mistakes. Edited April 11, 2007 by JimiT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hometownclub Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 My thoughts for Day 1 of the Aintree Grand National meeting are:- I cant possibly dessert Black Jack Ketcham having backed him at Cheltenham, I'll be backing him here to recoup losses. The ground is perfect and I take him to win and in doing so proving how unlucky he was at Cheltenham. The betfair bowl looks tricky to me but I'll take a chance with State of Play who will love the ground and this flat track. I love to watch the races over the National fences, they are such a great spectacle and in the Foxhunters a confident vote goes to Scots Grey the old boy won well at Newbury last time and will be alright on the ground, he is also a sound jumper and has a very good / capable jockey in Mr Ross Burton (Horsemanship counts for a lot in these amateur riders races as you will see). Those are my fancies for Day 1, I shan't be playing in the handicaps today (filed under too difficult). Happy punting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspiral_Carpet Posted April 12, 2007 Author Share Posted April 12, 2007 Well I've won my first "bet" of the day! I wrote down yesterday that Jimi would select Inglis Drever and that Htc would stick with BJK and I'm pleased to be proved right! To be honest, that was probably a 1/10 shot as I think we were all going to stay faithful to our Champion Hurdle selections. May the best man win again today! All I need now is for Stevie_J to pick some long outsider to complete my treble! Good luck guys and anyone else considering a bet today. I'm just going to be watching and enjoying what should be a great day's racing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie_J Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 No money to bet, and it's probably a good job. 2.00 - Tough one, any of the three favourites. I'll go for Mighty Man though. 2-1 2.35 - State of Play, 7-2 3.10 - Grand Bleu, 9-1 e/w 3.45 - Pak Jack, 14-1 e/w 4.20 - Marshall Hall, 8-1 and Magic Sky, 20-1 e/w 4.55 - Wins Now, 4-1 and Carlitos, 12-1 e/w 5.30 - Just for Jeff, Special Envoy, 20-1 e/w and Absolut Power, 40-1 e/w Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimiT Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 (edited) Pretty useful link for anyone who's interested. Edited April 12, 2007 by Inspiral_Carpet Link Removal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspiral_Carpet Posted April 12, 2007 Author Share Posted April 12, 2007 Pretty useful link for anyone who's interested. Jimi - Useful link indeed but not sure it should be posted as it is something that has to be paid for. Just to be safe, I have taken it down in case of later problems. You can get the free truncated cards via Betfair but the full versions are still subscription. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimiT Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 Jimi - Useful link indeed but not sure it should be posted as it is something that has to be paid for. Just to be safe, I have taken it down in case of later problems. You can get the free truncated cards via Betfair but the full versions are still subscription. Cheers No probs, Jeff. Sorry, didn't think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimiT Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 Mighty Man cruises it, well done Jeff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspiral_Carpet Posted April 12, 2007 Author Share Posted April 12, 2007 Mighty Man cruises it, well done Jeff! ......and Stevie_J! Good performance that and I think it really is a case of it loving the track. Excellent ride though and the tactics were spot-on. Felt sorry for ID as they went no pace and that didn't make it a true stamina test. I think BJK has proved it is a bridle horse and a non-stayer but that said, the winner was different class today. Glad BJK got round today though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie_J Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 State of Play coughs and splutters to the end after going hell for leather early on. Exotic Dancer does the business again. Nice one, Jeff. :thumb08: Did you stick any money on it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspiral_Carpet Posted April 12, 2007 Author Share Posted April 12, 2007 State of Play coughs and splutters to the end after going hell for leather early on. Exotic Dancer does the business again. Nice one, Jeff. :thumb08: Did you stick any money on it? No mate. If Katchit waltzes in now (like I am sure it will) then I'll be reaching for the medicine cabinet! Tbh, I just enjoy watching decent quality racing. When horses are short prices (less than 2/1) then I never like backing them as you generally will end up down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie_J Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 If Katchit waltzes in now... And that's exactly what he does. 3/3 Jeff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspiral_Carpet Posted April 12, 2007 Author Share Posted April 12, 2007 And that's exactly what he does. 3/3 Jeff. 13.37/1 treble. Nice to think I would have backed it. But I know I wouldn't as it would have meant breaking too many of my betting rules. Number one being "only bet with money you can afford to lose". I can't justify it at the moment so it is a watching brief only. Onto the Foxhunter's. Shouldn't that be renamed now it is illegal? Is that a clear indication that Gangsters R Us is a certainty? Next year, expect to see The Quorn Drag-Hunt Vegetarian Chase! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie_J Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 Thought Pak Jack had done it there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimiT Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 Thought Pak Jack had done it there. Great call from Hometown Club on Scots Grey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspiral_Carpet Posted April 12, 2007 Author Share Posted April 12, 2007 Great call from Hometown Club on Scots Grey. Agreed Jimi. Well done Htc. Will the collective OWTB Brains Trust get through the Card? btw Jimi. The Timeform top-rated has won the last 3 races. The first was won by the second-rated. Not sure if you pay for the service but that is pretty good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie_J Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 Will the collective OWTB Brains Trust get through the Card? Nope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspiral_Carpet Posted April 12, 2007 Author Share Posted April 12, 2007 Will the collective OWTB Brains Trust get through the Card? Ooh. Unlucky team. Out in the fifth with our main selection coming second. Winner was joint second-rated by Timeform. Top-rated was Andreas who we couldn't have and was well-beaten when falling. Incidentally, as they are doing pretty well here, it is worth mentioning that Timeform have Laouen well clear in the last race (5.20). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimiT Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 Ooh. Unlucky team. Out in the fifth with our main selection coming second. Winner was joint second-rated by Timeform. Top-rated was Andreas who we couldn't have and was well-beaten when falling. Incidentally, as they are doing pretty well here, it is worth mentioning that Timeform have Laouen well clear in the last race (5.20). Don't pay for Timeform, don't subscibe to any services, just had that link sent to me. Laouen does look ok in the last. Liberate drifting in the next though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAV Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 Only a small time better,but my 10p each way lucky fifteen netted me 3 winners and more than doubled my stake,on to day 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie_J Posted April 13, 2007 Share Posted April 13, 2007 By the way, did any one see Special Envoy, in the last? I'd have been gutted if I'd had a flutter! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspiral_Carpet Posted April 13, 2007 Author Share Posted April 13, 2007 By the way, did any one see Special Envoy, in the last? I'd have been gutted if I'd had a flutter! Not a great moment that's for sure for anyone who had backed it. Must have been 15 lengths clear at the last where it subsequently fell in instalments. I had a look on Betfair and it was layed at 1.01 for several grand. That's basically someone backing it to lose at 99/1! Fingers well and truly burned although some would have been extremely happy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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