Inglis Drever will be all the rage to follow up his record-breaking Festival win in the opening John Smith’s Liverpool Hurdle (due off 2.00pm), but punters should bear in mind that he attempted to complete the same double last season only to finish a well-beaten third to Mighty Man. Considering the way he comes up the Cheltenham hill, and the fact that he’s without a win now in his last three Aintree starts, it’s probably safe to say that he’s not so effective around here and this looks a no-bet affair to me. Fortunately, there are some cracking bets elsewhere on the card.
The John Smith’s Anniversary Novices’ Hurdle (3.10pm) features a mouth-watering clash between Triumph Hurdle winner Celestial Halo and Supreme Novices’ second BINOCULAR. The last two Triumph winners have followed up in this event, but Celestial Halo is essentially a stayer and might not be so at home on this speed-favouring track, and I take Binocular, who was a listed winner on the flat, to edge it.
There are several usual suspects in the Fox Hunter’s Chase (3.45pm) with past winners Katarino (2005 and 2006) and Scots Grey (2007) likely to be in contention again, but I prefer the chance of BUCKBY LANE, who had some good form in his handicapping days for Paul Webber. This season, he’s maintained his form in point-to-points very well and beat Cheltenham Fox Hunter winner Amicelli in a men’s open last time out. He’s forecast to go off around 10/1 and looks a decent each way bet at that price.
The best bet on the card, however, is LENNON in the Red Rum Handicap Chase (4.20pm) over 2m. Twice a winner over course and distance as a novice, he looks to have been trained with this race in mind and has everything in his favour. But save some readies for ELUSIVE DREAM in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (4.55pm)as he will find the track and going ideal and the fact that he swerved Cheltenham is another positive. David Pipe’s I’M SO LUCKY is a tentative selection for the finale, the John Smith’s Handicap hurdle (5.30pm), after running well on his two previous starts with the promise of more to come.
Ross has previewed the Totesport Bowl Chase (2.35pm) elsewhere on this website.
Recommended Bets*:
Binocular 2pts win
Buckby Lane 1pt each way
Lennon 3pts win
Elusive Dream 1pt win
I’m So Lucky 1pt win
*All at best morning-line price – bet365 and Stan James offer a best odds price guarantee.