Selections for Saturday 9th of November 2024
2.40 Aintree
1 point each way Idalko Bihoue (7/1 Generally, 4 places)
Idalko Bihoue is my idea of the likeliest winner of the Grand Sefton. He is a young up and coming six year old trained by the inform Nigel Twiston-Davies yard. This horse was third in a Grade 1 Challow Hurdle and a handicap mark of 132 looks workable. He was very impressive on his Chasing debut at Cheltenham last season when winning a Novices’ Handicap Chase by 7 lengths over 2m 4f on good ground. He obviously had some issues after that, only racing twice more and disappointing in both starts. He likes good ground and if he takes to these fences could run well.
1 point each way Percussion (15/2 William Hill, 4 places or 7/1 Generally, 4 places)
Percussion is an old reliable around here and enjoys these unique fences. He has been placed on all four starts over these fences, finishing second last year on heavy ground off a mark of 128 and third the year before that off a mark of 133. He can remain competitive off today’s mark of 129. There will probably be a few better handicapped than him but if they go at a strong pace throughout he will be staying on at the end when many will be stopping.
2.55 Wincanton
2 points Win Rubaud (11/10 Bet365/ William Hill)
Rubaud is looking for back to back wins in the Elite Hurdle and I think he is the classiest runner in this field on good ground and should be capable of winning carrying a 6 lbs penalty. He handles tight tracks and good ground better than most and is electric over a hurdle. Paul Nicholls is excited to get him Chasing but wants to try and win this race again before doing so. He did well to win on his seasonal debut and I got the feeling the horse was only 80% fit that day and surprised connections in the way he won. He should be more ready for today and anything over even money looks fair.
3.30 Wincanton
1 point each way Mofasa (5/1 Skybet/ Betfred, 4 places)
The Maclennan family have two fancied runners in the Badger Beer Handicap Chase in the form of Lord Accord and Mofasa. Lord Accord is coming in here race fit and in form while Mofasa goes well fresh and is trained by Paul Nicholls who always has one ready for this race. Mofasa chased home the smart Broadway Boy last season on his seasonal debut before winning at Huntingdon off a mark of 130. His season fell apart after that but he is back down to a mark of 130 again, will handle the ground and goes well fresh.
3.45 Doncaster
1 point each way Chillingham (8/1 Skybet, 7 places or 10/1 Generally, 5 places)
Chillingham has failed to get his head in front so far this season but has been just denied in a couple of races and is remarkably consistent. His latest run at Newbury over 1m 5 ½f was another example as he looked the most likely winner before just getting outstayed by the battle-hardened Not So Sleepy. He was third on soft ground last April at Ripon behind Sea King, just failing by ¾ a length off a mark of 97. Sea King was well fancied in the Melbourne Cup last week finishing fourteenth of twenty three. Chillingham runs off a mark of 96 here, will like the ground and a hard run 1m 4f should be just about perfect.
1 point each way Insanity (10/1 Skybet, 7 places or 12/1 Bet365, 5 places)
I also want the Alan King trained Insanity onside ridden by the in form jockey Rossa Ryan. He is drawn in stall 11, two higher than Chillingham. Insanity is relatively less exposed than Chillingham and is a guaranteed stayer. He has won twice and was a close second since switching from Juvenile Hurdles to the flat this season. His only disappointing run was on his latest start at York when he never looked comfortable and perhaps found the ground too lively. He won on soft ground at Ffos Las as a Novice and it wouldn’t surprise if this easier ground brought about more improvement from him.
**Date & Time of next Selections Thursday 14th of November at 9pm..