- This topic has 28 replies, 21 voices, and was last updated 3 years ago by
.
- Posts
Entries……..
https://www.racingpost.com/racecards/32/aintree/2023-04-14/834693/
Long term fancies for this were Batcio and Gesskile. Both ran well over the course in the last twelve months, and can’t think of any reason to be negative about them. Gesskile, even allowing for his rise in the weights, I think is still ahead of the handicapper, and I reckon Batcio will be spot on after his prep today at Clonmel
It’s a race that Mullins, Bowen, and Henderson do very well in, and there’s a few entered from them.
Mullins has entered Burrows Saint here, who was fourth in The National two years back. There was the opinion that he didn’t quite see it out, and though he went back for more last year (fell Chair), I’d love to see him given a crack at this. He’d be my pick of the Mullins crew, but he’s obviously very very risky Antepost. Would also be quite interested in Haut En Couleurs, but his versatility ensures that he’ll have plenty of other options. Ciel De Niege just jumps right out.
I’d struggle to split the Bowen entries just now, and I’d have to wait until Final Decs, while if Henderson can get Caribean Boy back to his best, then he’s interesting of a much reduced mark (pulled up in this off 10lbs higher 2021)
Battleoverdoyen is a horse I’ve been following for a couple of years, and after a predictable flop in The Grand Annual (previous run also poor), I’m a lot more interested in him here. He’s still got a few decent runs to his name in the last twelve months, and having finished tenth in this last year, he’s got to be of interest here. I’d be confident of a decent Antepost price, and he’s high on the shortlist. Stablemate Gevrey certainly advertised his claims last week, but the one that is giving me a headache is Escaria Ten. Has done nothing really in last twelve months, but over this trip, regardless of his Cheltenham flop, I’d give him a second look. He’s still hard to be confident about though.
Percussion hasn’t quite hit the heights of his two runs at Aintree earlier in the season, but I’d be confident he’ll have a return to form here.
Jonjo has landed this before, and I could make a case for his Morning Spirit, while there has to be a good chance that Riders On The Storm is well handicapped, and his Old Roan Chase win would give him a squeak here.
As expected, a good few from across The Irish Sea, and the Crawford yard has three entered, Now Where Or When, Gold Cup Bailly, and Saint D’Oroux. I’d give the three of them a chance here, but I’d not be in a rush to bet any of them Antepost.
Absolutely no rush for a bet here, but I know that once a market is formed, I will bet one of them. A lot will depend on prices.
I think Gesskile and Batcio would remain at head of my shortlist, while Battleoverdoyen could be a very appealing outsider for me, and I’ll have to hold fire with my Mullins fancies, Ciel De Niege, and Burrows Saint.
Shortlist…
Batcio
Battleoverdoyen
Burrows Saint
Ciel De Niege
GesskileEdit – Not the most encouraging run from Batcio there, and enough for me to side with Gesskile as the early pick. Battleoverdoyen will be EW pick on the day, and I’ll certainly add another on the day. Not ruling out Batcio after that run, but at this stage, more inclined to think it’ll be one of the Mullins runners.
Gesskile 16’s EW
Edit Final Decs
Burrows Saint always likely to be added by me too Jack, and the 14’s looks too big. He’s added from the original shortlist, along with Battleoverdoyen as planned too. Batcio the real headache for me, but I’ve got to be be a bit concerned with that last run. I’d have to cover him in running if it looked likely
Battleoverdoyen 50’s EW 7pl
Burrows Saint 14’s
Gesskile 16’s EWI’m a win only punter and Gesskille’s narrow defeats in the Grand Sefton and the Becher cost me dear.
That was off 133 and 137 and it’s 140 here.
He’s a young progressive horse, the Doncaster lapse doesn’t bother me, and I’d be surprised if he’s much bigger than the 16/1 William Hill have opened him up at.
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
https://mobile.twitter.com/Ian_Davies_
https://www.facebook.com/ThePointtoPointNHandFlatracingpunter/
It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"I’m interested in Hardline, over a shorter trip and better ground than his last few runs, but I reckon I can sit tight for a while, he’s never been one of the cool kids. Reckon Gordy might give Aintree a good go this year as the Irish NH trainers’ championship is a lost cause this season.
Clondaw Castle has been a National hope of mine for a couple years, so I’d be very interested to see him line up here, for all he’s now 11 and possibly up against it considering he’ll be opposing younger, less exposed types. To that end he ran a great race first time out and is down to a very winnable mark.
Francky Du Berlais has been running much better than his form figures suggest. Connections will be holding out for a National spot, but I’d be very interested in seeing him here.
It’s hard to ignore Percussion’s runs over these fences in the Autumn/Winter. Might need a bit of luck to get in.
Riders Onthe Storm is back to his Old Roan winning mark and really owes me nothing, however I’d be a little worried about his run in this last season where he never really took to it. Still, won’t leave him should he line up.
First play Battleoverdoyen , Cheltenham was awful but if he takes to the fences 2m 5 should be perfect , there’s been bits of form this season showing he,s well handicapped
Pick 3 on Saturday champion 2025/2026
Greenasgraas I thought that Hard-line was interesting too. I’ll definitely bet him if he’s a runner
My first bet though is El Barra at 16-1
Gesskille 10-1 ew. Backed him the last twice over the course fences so will have another go with him. There is one I’m very keen on but he may not get in so will wait.
Not an ante-post race for me right now, but the trio I’m currently interested in are Ciel De Niege, El Barra, and Now Where Or When
Have half of these within 8lbs on figures, so really does look a throw them up and see how they fall race.
166 Final Orders
165 Battleoverdoyen
165 Top Ville Ben
164 Fantastic Lady
163 Numitor
163 Cooper’s Cross
162 Al Dancer
162 Killer KaneTentative two selections:
Final Orders, generally progressive, has won over further and keeping on at end when fifth over 2m at Cheltenham.
Top Ville Ben pulled up but ran well for a long way in Corach Rambler’s race at Cheltenham and ran a stormer before that at Leopardstown.None of my original selections go, so it’s back to the drawing boards.
Top Ville Ben will be of interest if the ground does read soft. This may be a day-of job.
If my ante-post bet Gesskille doesn’t win I will actually cry.
Done my dough on him at the usual win only both his previous runs over these fences.
Never wanted to see a Mike “Get in!” so much ever.
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
https://mobile.twitter.com/Ian_Davies_
https://www.facebook.com/ThePointtoPointNHandFlatracingpunter/
It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"I’ll follow WPM in this given his recent success 311 and chance Burrows Saint.
Don’t particularly like the frustrating Haut En Couleurs. Burrows unseated last year in the National but ran/jumped well the year before. Can see them racing him handy as he stays so well. 14/1 is nice.
Can see the Gesskille appeal but i’d pass him by.
Gin On Lime could outrun her 33/1 in places- likes to race prominent and can jump very well.
I’ll be doing both of them.
Twitter: Jackh1092
Hindsight is 20/20 so make the most of it!Still think Haut En Colours can be a Grade 1 horse and based on that he could defy top weight. Also got to give Burrows Saint a chance after his great run in the big one two years ago.
Haut En Coulours 16/1
Burrows Saint 12/1My two are Haut En Couleurs and Gesskille.
I can see Haut En Couleurs going really well if he takes to it.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.