Nick Luck
Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Aintree Grand National Festival Day One best bets
William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews the first day of the Aintree Grand National Festival.
WINSTON JUNIOR is the narrow pick in the Anniversary Hurdle (1.45), which kicks off Aintree’s Grand National Festival. Faye Bramley’s gelding was clearly campaigned with the Fred Winter in mind, and was a little unfortunate to run into an outrageously well-treated winner. My contention is that form is comparable to the Triumph Hurdle and, now he’s shown hand, you’ll see further progress, particularly with Harry Cobden back aboard.
KOKTAIL DIVIN can give Lulamba something to think about in the Manifesto (2.20). Although the favourite is a real talent, I didn’t love his jumping effort at Cheltenham, and can see him being undone again if there’s a real swinging gallop on early. The selection, by contrast, looks to be crying out to come back to their trip after gliding round in the Brown before fading. He’s smart, and doesn’t have nearly as much to find as ratings suggest.
PIC D’ORHY might look like a wild swipe in the Bowl, but don’t underestimate him (2.55). He loves it round here, is fresh, has pace, and is well worth another try at a relatively easy three miles. It’s not impossible he gets a softish time of it on the lead here, and I can’t help remembering that Jango Baie didn’t exactly love it round here last year and had a hard race at Cheltenham.
BARTON SNOW might be a very tough nut to crack in the Foxhunters’ (3.30). He was ridiculously good at Cheltenham over a distance that was really too far for him. He’ll love this drop back in trip, and could just win this by quite a long way.
ALEXEI looks the overpriced one in the Aintree Hurdle (4.05). The also-rans from the Champion Hurdle don’t have an awful lot between them, but this one travelled so well that it’s hard not to think he can’t progress from that first experience in a grown-up race. The question is whether he wants to step up in trip, but this will still present a relative test of pace given drying conditions.
JASKO DES DAMES is an each way play in the Red Rum (4.40). His trainer has a good record in this race, and this one looked to be crying out for a less demanding test when a fading fifth in the Grand Annual. There was way too much pace in that race, setting up for closers, but it shouldn’t be too much of a problem being on the sharp end here.
BURDS OF A FEATHER might be worth chancing in the bumper (5.15). She clearly has a screw loose judged on her antics so far, but she has a monstrous level of ability. If they can get her to the start, they might just get her to the winners’ enclosure.
