Rest of Aintree

The remaining 5 races at Aintree are also highly competitive, and Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh on again hold a strong hand. In th first race, a novice hurdle over 2 miles at 15.00 CET, they are represented by American Trilogy, on of the easiest winners at the recent N.H. festival. That was in a handicap, but he is still the highest rated runner here. However Red Molony (Howard Johnson/ Denis O´Regan) could be a big danger, while German-bred El Dancer (Lucy Wadham/ Dominic Elsworth), though taking a big leap in class, could also prove dangerous.

Herecomsthetruth, who has won his last 4 races, could b anothr Nocholls/ Walsh winner in the novice chas at 15.35; Massinis Maguire (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson) and Irish challenger Siegemaster (Dessie Hughes/ Davy Russell) are the dangers here. The Topham Chase over 2 13/4 miles at 16.45 is th big btiing race of the day but with 30 runners is almost impossible to predict. Consistent Ping Pong Sivola (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman) is the likely favourite, but we expect to see Paul Nicholls play the leading role again. He has 4 runners, of whom Gwanako (Walsh), who won this off a lower rating last year, and Yew Little Pric (Nick Scholfield) could be the best. The 3 mile listed hurdle at 17.55 is another very open handicap with 22 runners, 4 of them trained by David Pipe and two by Nicky Henderson. Mamlook (Tom Scudamore) and Aigle d´Or /Tony McCoy) are possibly their best chances.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: American Trilogy - Somersby - Silk Hall
2. Race: Herecomesthetruth - Massini`S Maguire - Shining Gale
3. Race: Voy Por Ustedes - Nacarat - Tidal Bay
4. Race: Ping Pong Sivola - Gwanako - Mr Pointment
5. Race: Karabak - Pride Of Dulcote - Weapon`S Amnesty
6. Race: Andytown - Aigle D`Or - Kayf Aramis
7. Race: Morning Supreme - Megasue - Kerada

Two Grade One races today at Aintree

The Grand National meeting continues today with another high-class programme featuring two Grade One races. The Melling Chase over 2 1/2 miles at 16.10 CET is the main feature, and if Voy por Ustedes (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) is in the same form as 2008, when he beat Master Minded by 18 lengths, then he should score again.

However his form this season is less inspiring and he jumped badly last time at Cheltenham, so that he can possibly be taken on today with Tidal Bay (Howard Johnson/ Denis O´Regan), who finished very fast at Cheltenham, or Nacarat (Tom George/ Tony McCoy), who missed the N.H. festival but has won his last 2 races very easily, or Briareus (Andrew Balding/ Paddy Brennan), who fell at the last in the Champion Chase. The 3 mile novice hurdle at 17.20 also has several Cheltenham contenders in the line up, notably Weapons Amnesty /Charlie Byrnes/ Davy Russell) and Pride of Dulcote (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh) who fought out one of th best finishes of the meeting, with the Irish horse just prevailing; they meet on the same terms now so there should be little in it again. But Karabak (Alan King/ Tony McCoy) looks a big danger, having also run well at the festival, while Paus and Claus (Emma Lavelle/ Jack Doyle) is another with chances.

Longchamp opens

The French racing season proper starts today with the first fixture of 2009 at Longchamp. Several German-traind runners make their way to the Bois du Boulogne, but they face some strong opposition. Werner Baltromei has 5 runners, with König Bernard (Dominique Boeuf) contesting the opening mile race for 3y0´s at 13.50, Cccacaio (Frederic Spanu) and Farox (Boeuf) both engaged in the 2000 metres race for unraced 3yo´s (together with Horst Steinmetz´ Amazonas (Davy Bonilla) at 14.50, Balboa (Boeuf) goes for the 1400 metres conditions race at 16.20 and Escargot (Boeuf) the 3yo mile handicap at 17.20.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Bachelor Licence - König Bernard - Piste Perdue
2. Race: Le Valentin - History Boy - Varenar
3. Race: Montevees - Suffren - Investissement
4. Race: Dreamt - Marechale - Western Isle
5. Race: Kataragama - Flying Cloud - Ville D`Avray
6. Race: Balboa - Salut L`Africain - Panichop
7. Race: Unidentified Thief - Salsa De La Tour - Sham Risk
8. Race: Reine Des Mers - Muhtablue - Escargot