Aintree Grand National meeting: second day

another excellent card at Aintree, where the Grand National meeting is now beginning to rival the Cheltenham Festival. Indeed many of today´s runners were last seen out at Cheltenham, and the question is always to what extent the Festival form will be upheld weeks later on this very different track. The answer is: not always - as we saw yesterday with Denman.

The opening Grade Two novice hurdle at 15.00 CET looks very open, but we hope to see German-bred Iolith (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) run well; the Monsun gelding looked quite smart when winning his first two races over hurdles, but was unplaced next time in a hot handicap at Taunton. Topolski (David Arbuthnot/ Daryl Jacob) has won both his starts with the minimum of fuss and is clearly going places. while the 4yo´s Brampour (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh) and A Media Luz (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty), both without a chance in the Triumph Hurdle, have chances in this slightly weaker company.

The Grade Two novice chase over an extended 3 miles half an hour later can go to the consistent Wayward Prince (Ian Williams/ Tony McCoy), who holds Master of the Hall (Henderson/ Geraghty) on Cheltenham form. Golan Way (Sheena West/ Leighton Aspell) has smart form but is unproven at this distance, while Irish challenger Quito de le Roque (Colm Murphy/ Davy Russell) probably needs softer going than he will find this afternoon.

The day´s main feature is the Grade One Melling Chase over 2 1/2 miles at 16.05 which has a very strong field. Alberta´s Run (Jonjo O´Neill/ McCoy), who won this last year and is back to his best after taking the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham for the second time, but he has little in hand of Kalahari King (Ferdy Murphy/ Graham Lee) on that form. Somersby (Henrietta Knight/ Robert Thornton) and Masterminded (Nicholls/ Walsh) were both unplaced in the Champion Chase over 2 miles. Somersby is undoubtely better at today´s trip, but Master Minded, who would certainly win this at this best, was beaten in this race 3 years ago on his only attempt at the distance and continues to be an enigma. Tranquil Sea (Edward O´Grady/ Andrew McNamara) is another Irish runner who is good enough on form but probably needs rain to fall (highly unlikely).

Two more 2010 winners line up again today -Always Waining (Peter Bowen/ Tom O´Brien) in the Topham Chase, a handicap over almost 2 3/4 miles at 16.40, and Ringaroses (O´Neill/ McCoy) in the handicap at 17.50. Even if one assumes that they have both been laid out to win again, they both face very stiff tasks in the two toughest races of the day for the punter. For the record our 3 against the field in these very tricky races are Dev, Frankie Figg and Passato at 16.40, and Battlegroup, Kilcrea Kim and Pistolet Noir in the later event.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Sire De Grugy - Topolski - Brampour
2. Race: Wayward Prince - Quito De La Roque - Master Of The Hall
3. Race: Albertas Run - Kalahari King - Master Minded
4. Race: Mon Parrain - Frankie Figg - Fine Parchment
5. Race: Mossley - Back In Focus - Sparky May
6. Race: Kilcrea Kim - Golden Chieftain - Buena Vista
7. Race: Glorious Feeling - Baby Shine - Tante Sissi