Tanya Stevenson
Tanya's Blog, April 9
And so it continues, the punting nightmare that is….it started so well with the victory of Big Buck’s yesterday and then one result after another. Here’s hoping I can dig out some winners today. In the spirit of selecting the most improbable winner I start with Washington Irving, being a horse who is a quality performer on the flat, Aintree should suit him and he can ran a big race at around 20-1 in Aintree’s 2pm.
I love Knockara Beau, he has done connections proud all year, yet I feel this race could be one too many. Pricewise, I have flagged up Lenabane and his price disappeared long ago. My selection is Burton Port, he ran superb in the RSA Chase and this race is ideal for him as he needs a strong pace.
The John Smith’s Melling Chase will have many of you focused on Kalahari King and Forpadydeplaster both placed in the Champion Chase. However, who could begrudge Monet’s Garden one last hurrah at the course he loves most. If he has a danger it may well be Jack The Giant with Nicky Henderson’s horses running so well.
Back over the National fences for the Topham Chase, best horse in the contest is top weight Scotsirish but his burden could well stop him. Frankie Figg ran well enough before falling in the Sefton. Offshore Account was a good fourth in the William Hill Trophy and this is over a trip better for him than the National which he didn’t appear to stay last year.
TANYA’S POINTERS
The last nine winners of Aintree’s 2.00 finished no worse than third on their previous start
Phillip Hobbs has won Aintree’s 2.00 three times with his last six runners
Favourites are 1 from 10 in Aintree’s 2.00
No horse beaten in the previous Melling Chase has won it a year later
Six of the last ten favourites have won the Melling Chase
Alan King has won the last two Melling Chases
Horses aged 11+ have an awful record in the Topham Chase
Five of the last six winners had jumped the Aintree fences
Paul Nicholls last 8 runners have been beaten in the Topham Chase
Favourites are 1 from 10 in the Topham Chase
Monet’s Garden is three from five at Aintree
Nicky Henderson has had nine winners from his last 20 runners
