historic races at Aintree today

today´s one day fixture at Aintree sees two historic handicaps on the card, and the Becher Chase at 15.50 CET over 3 1/4 miles of the Grand National course is often a useful pointer to the National itself. Experience of the track is always a huge advantage here, and it is likely that Mr.Pointment (Paul Nicholls/ Sam Thomas) will start favourite to repeat his 2007 victory. Nicholls also saddles top-weight Gungadu (Christian Williams), who is also in with a chance, while Irish Raptor (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan) should also go well. There are 5 Irish-trained runners in the field of 16, all of them presumably toying with the idea of a prep race for the National, and Black Appalachi (Dessie Hughes/ Denis O´Regan) could be the best of them. The Grand Sefton Chase at 14.40 over 2 miles 5 furlongs is also a hot handicap, andf the presence of Turpin Green (Nicky Richards/ Davy Condon) - third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2007 - in the field means that several are running o ut of the handicap. Gwanako (Nicholls/ Thomas) was a CD winer here at the National meeting and should go close again, despite a hefty rise in the weights, and this also applies to The Hollow Bottom (Twiston-Davies/ Brennan), winner of his last 2 races, both here, while Irish raider Ponmeoath (Eric McNamara/ Barry Geraghty) also looks dangerous. Geraghty´s new partnership with trainer Nicky Henderson is aready paying huge dividends and the pair can strike again with German-bred Fairyland in the opening maiden hurdle at 13.30. This 5yo mare was listed class in Germany and has finished runner-up in both her British starts.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Fairyland - Honest John - Caravel
2.Race: Glingerbank - Quarry Town - Andrew Nick
3.Race: Gwanako - Regal Heights - Bill`S Echo
4.Race: King Caine - Auroras Encore - Premier Dane
5.Race: Mr Pointment - Gungadu - Irish Raptor
6.Race: Major Miller - Petrus De Sormain - Ormus