Selections for Friday 12th of April 2024
2.20 Aintree
1 point each way Jango Baie (10/1 Skybet, 7 places or else 12/1 Bet365, 6 places)
Jango Baie won a Grade 1 here over 2 miles on soft ground after Christmas and shouldn’t mind the extra 4 furlongs this time. He finished second on his last two outings carrying a 5 lbs penalty for that graded win. The handicapper has given him an opening mark of 139 and this lightly raced five year old could have more improvement. He will be suited by soft ground and has a solid each way shout.
1 point each way Sonigino (28/1 Paddy power, 6 places or else 28/1 Betfair, 5 places)
Sonigino has halved in price and is now generally 14/1. Sonigino has a good record at this track and is well suited to the underfoot conditions. He was a good third in this race last year on good to soft ground after finding trouble in running. That was off a mark of 133. He is on a mark of 141 today but the talented Freddie Gingell claims 5 lbs off. His other run here in December was on heavy ground and he won by 6 lengths. He should run his race at a big price.
4.05 Aintree
1 point each way Fantastic Lady (16/1 Bet365, 6 places or else 14/1 Generally, 6 places)
Fantastic Lady was second in this race last year to the re-opposing Bill Baxter. The pair were 12 lengths clear of the third Killer Kane. Both are just a couple of pounds higher this year and if the ground had been good she would have gone for the National tomorrow. I like the fact that she handles the track and enjoys jumping these fences. That experience should stand to her here and although she might prefer better ground she should run a nice race.
1 point each way Grandads Cottage (33/1 Bet365, 6 places or else 25/1 Generally, 6 places)
Grandads Cottage runs here off a lovely low weight of 10-2. He is now 3-6 over rules fences. The application of a tongue-tie has helped him and it has been retained since. He will relish this trip and ground and is a very good jumper. If he takes to these unique fences he could outrun his odds. Sean Bowen is onboard which is another plus.
4.40 Aintree
1 point each way Croke Park (9/1 Coral/ Ladbrokes, 3 places)
Croke Park didn’t make it to Cheltenham after suffering a stone bruise and his substitute Stellar Story went on to win the Albert Bartlett. Missing Cheltenham can only aid his chances here as that race can take a lot out of young horses. He had won both his starts over hurdles before flopping in the Lawlor’s of Naas. His trainer Gordon Elliott is confident he just underperformed for whatever reason on that occasion and he is back as good as ever now. He will like the ground and trip and the fact that he comes here fresh makes him a bet.
5.15 Aintree
1 point each way Densworth (15/2 Skybet, 6 places or else 8/1 Generally, 5 places)
Ben Pauling had some shocking news yesterday when owners the Megsons removed their horses from his yard. Hopefully Densworth can give him a change of fortune here. He pulled up in this race last year after never travelling and needed a wind surgery operation. He came back this year and won at Doncaster over 2 miles on heavy ground. He beat his stablemate Getaway Drumlee by 16 lengths on that occasion and the latter has franked the form since by winning at Fontwell. Beau Morgan is a good 5 lbs claimer and he should enjoy conditions better than most.
1 point each way Afadil (12/1 Bet365/ Coral/ Ladbrokes, 5 places)
Afadil ran a very encouraging race at Cheltenham in the County Hurdle finishing fifth under a more forceful ride by 5 lbs claimer Freddie Gingell. The handicapper has left him on the same mark and a return to a sharper track should suit this horse. Soft ground won’t be an issue and he should run a solid race.
**Date & Time of next Selections Friday 12th of April at 9pm..