Our writer casts his eye over the action at Aintree on Day 2 of the Grand National meeting, with a Lucky 15 across Friday afternoon.
A Lucky 15 bet involves 15 bets across four different selections. Your bets are: 4 single bets, 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 four-fold accumulator.
Here is our suggested Lucky 15 bet for Aintree today:
SELECTION 1 – IMPOSE TOI (2.20pm William Hill Handicap Hurdle)
The William Hill Handicap Hurdle on Ladies Day at Aintree Racecourse, looks like the ideal race for Impose Toi to kick on from his excellent Coral Cup second in.
This unexposed seven-year-old isn’t overly burdened off a handicap mark of 145 and has the class to carry it. He impressed when winning at Newbury in November when the front pair came well clear from the third and the rest of the field was well strung out in behind.
He was then entered for the Coral Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, and Nicky Henderson’s plan for him almost came off.
Travelling strongly when held up in the midfield, he made headway at the fourth from home and was soon in touch with leaders, challenging them two out. He led narrowly on the turn to the last, but was headed on the run-in by a fast finishing Jimmy Du Seuil for Willie Mullins.
This 2m4f trip at Aintree looks ideal, and he’ll be smuggled into it before being played late. The Merseyside track is a much fairer and forgiving course down the home straight than Cheltenham, and it’s flatness will facilitate his final gallop to the winning line.
SELECTION 2 – DIVA LUNA (2.55pm Top Novices’ Hurdle)
In what could turn out to be a red letter day for trainer Ben Pauling, his Diva Luna is taken to land the spoils in this Grade 1 hurdle.
A daughter of Diamond Boy, Diva Luna was a Grade 2 bumper winner last term and most recently ran in the Grade 2 Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (The Dawn Run) after winning one of her three starts over obstacles this term.
The six-year-old was prominent must of the way, led two out, was headed approaching the last and weakened gradually on the run-in.
Aintree’s flat track will suit her much better and this time she won’t have a tough incline to deal with in the closing stages.
SELECTION 3 – JAMES DU BERLAIS (4.05pm Topham Handicap Chase)
Last year, Janes Du Berlais appeared to have the Topham wrapped up coming around the Elbow, but he was reeled in late by Arizona Cardinal. The nine-year-old is one of the classier chasers in the field and can make amends.
The Munir and Souede-owned nine-year-old is only 1lb higher in the ratings this year and shaped well at Leopardstown last time, so it’s easy to see why he has been one of the ante-post market leaders for some time.
SELECTION 4 – MISTER MEGGIT (4.40pm Sefton Novices’ Hurdle)
It’s the Hemmings family colours that catch the eye aboard Mister Meggit in this 3m½f hurdle on Friday afternoon.
The seven-year-old comfortably won a novice hurdle here in November and can seamlessly progress up to Grade 1 level.
Trainer Jonjo O’Neill had flagged up the Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury as the next target for the impressive Aintree winner, but he didn’t make that engagement and thus reappears on Merseyside.
Hemmings Racing still enjoy having a winner or two in the Northwest, and the seven-year-old will be a popular pick amongst those betting on horse racing today.
SUGGESTED E/W LUCKY 15:
2.20 Aintree – Impose Toi
2.55 Aintree – Diva Luna
4.05 Aintree – James Du Berlais
4.40 Aintree – Mister Meggit
*Check out our latest Grand National betting here*
