David Jennings' Aintree tips on Friday: 'What's not to like?'

Deputy Irish editor and Upping The Ante star David Jennings takes you through the Aintree festival card on Friday, headlined by the Melling Chase (3.30).

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Aintree tips: Friday's card

1.45 Aintree
Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial  Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1), 3m1f

DJ's tip: Inothewayurthinkin

What the hell? 13-8 for the Kim Muir? Are you having a laugh? The only ones laughing were those who backed Inothewayurthinkin into that obscene price, though, as he sauntered by the whole field on the final circuit and won by eight widening lengths. He looked like a Grade 1 horse there and he might prove it here.

Inothewayurthinkin13:45 Aintree

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Jky: Mark Walsh Tnr: Gavin Cromwell

2.20 Aintree
William Hill Handicap Hurdle, 2m4f

DJ's tip: Springwell Bay

Lugging around 12st in a 22-runner handicap at Aintree, against umpteen exposed novices, is an unenviable task for Springwell Bay but he might just be up to it. I've long been of the opinion that he is not too far off Grade 1 level so a mark of 145 might underestimate him. The trp is ideal too.

Springwell Bay14:20 Aintree

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Jky: Jonjo O'Neill Jr Tnr: Jonjo O'Neill

2.55 Aintree
TrustATrader Top Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1), 2m½f

DJ's tip: Firefox

Firefox can extinguish everything here. He was my big takeaway from the festival. He hadn't raced since early January, was ridden too patiently and went into the back of the back-pedalling Tellherthename, but still somehow finished third. I was about to start looking for him behind the TV, but he didn't half relish the hill. I fancy him to make all.

Firefox14:55 Aintree

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Jky: Jack Kennedy Tnr: Gordon Elliott

3.30 Aintree
My Pension Expert Melling Chase (Grade 1), 2m4f

DJ's tip: Jonbon

Do you not think Jonbon has been crying out for this trip? I do. He's been doing plenty right over 2m, but he might do even more right over 2m4f. He's already the best horse in the race on ratings and there could be more to come over this new distance. If he jumps, he wins. That's the way I read it.

Jonbon15:30 Aintree

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Jky: Nico de Boinville Tnr: Nicky Henderson

4.05 Aintree
Randox Supports Race Against Dementia Topham Handicap Chase, 2m5f

DJ's tip: Your Darling

Your Darling is the most beautiful jumper of a fence when he's on song, and he tends to be at concert pitch when he's had a nice big break between shows. He hasn't been seen since November and has evidently been laid out for the Topham. Good work, Ben.

Your Darling16:05 Aintree

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Jky: Kielan Woods Tnr: Ben Pauling

4.40 Aintree
Cavani Sartorial Menswear Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1), 3m½f 

DJ's tip: Shanagh Bob

He's a bit awkward and still looks to be learning, but Shanagh Bob strikes me as the type of horse who will keep on improving with every race he runs. He didn't do any streetfighting at Cheltenham last month and we all saw how good that did Sir Gino on Thursday.

Shanagh Bob16:40 Aintree

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Jky: Nico de Boinville Tnr: Nicky Henderson

5.15 Aintree
Alder Hey Handicap Hurdle, 2m½f

DJ's tip: Go Dante

There is no better feeling than finding a juicy-priced winner of a handicap at these festivals, but I'm going to be boring and stick to the obvious here. Go Dante has an awful lot going for him. What's not to like? He's 11-2. That'll do me.

Go Dante17:15 Aintree

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Jky: Dylan Johnston (5lb)Tnr: Olly Murphy

Day two highlights

The big race

The National fences command plenty of attention on day two when the Topham is run. It is not quite the 34 runners of the Grand National on Saturday, but ten fewer contenders will approach the start line in a first opportunity of the meeting for the professional riders to ride the famous course. It is a devilishly difficult puzzle to solve, with last year's first and second, Bill Baxter and Fantastic Lady, among those lining up. Harry Redknapp's Shakem Up'Arry could be popular after his Plate win at the Cheltenham Festival, while the title-chasing stables of Paul Nicholls, Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins are all involved. 

The big horse

Jonbon is the latest of Nicky Henderson's stars on the comeback trail after missing the Cheltenham Festival. He takes an additional step into the unknown as he steps up to two and a half miles in the Melling Chase, but if he handles the new territory he should be the one to beat in spite of classy opposition.

The big story

Most of the Grade 1s can be characterised by an intriguing question – has the Cheltenham Festival left a mark? Festival handicap winners Inothewayurthinkin and Chianti Classico must face relatively fresh rivals in Broadway Boy and Heart Wood, the Supreme and Mares' Novices' Hurdle form comes under the microscope in the Top Novices' Hurdle, while the first three home in the Ryanair line up against a fresh Jonbon and Pic D'Orhy in the Melling. Even the Sefton will likely be decided by how much the Albert Bartlett took out of the main players.

Read these next:

Confirmed runners and riders for the 2024 Grand National 

2024 Grand National tips and predictions: why this horse can win at Aintree 

Paul Kealy's Aintree racing tips: Friday's play of the day  

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