'I suspect he has had this race in mind for a long time' - why this horse can win at the Aintree festival
Best bets for three days of action at the Grand National meeting
The Grand National is the showpiece event of Aintree's meeting this week, but there are plenty of other handicaps and whole host of Grade 1 events for punters to get stuck into over the three-day festival that kicks off on Thursday. Here, Tom Park picks out a few of his fancies...
Impaire Et Passe
Thursday, 1.45 Aintree: EBC Group Manifesto Novices' Chase
Impaire Et Passe has probably not quite achieved what he promised when waltzing to a six-and-a-half-length victory over Gaelic Warrior in the 2023 Ballymore (now Turners), but he has notched up three Grade 1s since and is high class when at his best.
He certainly wasn't at his best when beaten ten and a half lengths by Ballyburn at Leopardstown last time, but he did win a Grade 1 at Limerick on his run before that, and Willie Mullins decided to skip Cheltenham to keep him fresh for this, which is his perfect trip.
His nose victory over Bob Olinger in the Aintree Hurdle at last year's meeting looks strong, given that rival won the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham, and I think Mullins will have Impaire Et Passe cherry ripe here.
He has Arkle winner Jango Baie in opposition, but Impaire Et Passe is a specialist at this trip and didn't have a hard race at the festival, so I'd rather side with him.
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The Folkes Tiara
Thursday, 4.40 Aintree: Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase
Henry de Bromhead has won two of the last five runnings of this valuable handicap and The Folkes Tiara looks an intriguing contender to add to that haul.
The nine-year-old was beaten a short head in the Racing Post Handicap Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas when last seen. At the time, that was a tough race to judge, as there was thick fog and the first five all finished within a length of each other.
When there's such a bunched finish, it usually suggests the handicapper has a good grip on them all, and the form can often be downgraded. However, this particular race has worked out really well, with the winner An Peann Dearg currently 16lb higher after scoring on his next start. The third, The King Of Prs, is 7lb higher after scoring since, while the fourth, One Last Tango, was beaten a neck next time out.
The Folkes Tiara beat The King Of Prs and American Mike on his previous start at Fairyhouse, and his two runs this season have been the best of his career on Racing Post Ratings. That, along with his trainer's record in the race, makes him a solid bet here.
Heart Wood
Friday, 3.30: My Pension Expert Melling Chase
Jonbon had a hard enough race in the Champion Chase for me to take him on at odds-on here. Heart Wood has been improving with every run, and although he was well beaten by Fact To File, he ran a stormer to be second in the Ryanair.
Gaelic Warrior has had a disappointing season, and ground conditions are surely quicker than ideal for him even over this trip, while his stablemate El Fabiolo also has plenty of questions to answer.
Battle Born Lad
Friday, 4.40: Oddschecker Sefton Novices' Hurdle
I was hugely taken by Battle Born Lad's win in a Grade 2 at Haydock last time, and a repeat of that performance will see him hard to beat here.
That was one of the best performances of a staying British hurdler this season, with the emphasis on stamina really playing to his strengths.
He beat unlucky Albert Bartlett fifth Wendigo on his previous start, and while I'm sure that rival has improved plenty since then, Battle Born Lad clearly has too.
I sense that if he was trained and owned by more established connections, he would be considerably shorter than he is.
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Mr Hope Street
Saturday, 1.20 Aintree: William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle
Mr Hope Street has been on a real trajectory over the past 12 months, improving from a mark of 91 to 127, winning four of his last six starts and finishing second in the others.
He hit the line really hard when winning over 3m½f at Southwell three starts ago – the only time he has run over that trip – and I expect him to improve loads for stepping back up in trip here.
Dan Skelton, who has won this race the last twice and also won it in 2019 with Aux Ptits Soins, is one of the best target trainers in the game and I suspect he's had this in mind for a long time for Mr Hope Street.
Read these next:
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