Aintree Day 2 Betting Tips & Predictions for Friday 4th April
Aintree’s Grand National rolls into day 2 and once again we have Ciaran Murphy to run through the card and pick out his best Ladies Day betting tips for Friday 4th April.
The action gets underway at 1.45pm on Friday and there are seven races to work through.
Aintree Day 2 Tips
- 1.45pm – Caldwell Potter (4/1)
- 2.20pm – Steeel Ally (12/1)
- 2.55pm – Romeo Coolio (5/4)
- 3.30pm – Jonbon (no bet)
- 4.05pm – Bad (12/1) & The King Of Prs (25/1)
- 4.40pm – Califet En Vol (4/1)
- 5.15pm – Celtic Dino (7/1)
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CLAIM!
1.45pm
The day begins with a novice chase over 3m. The market is headed by Ben Paulings Handstands, whose form when beating Jango Baie was boosted in the Arkle. However, I think he would prefer a softer surface. Dancing City won at this meeting last year, but he was a huge disappointment at the Festival and a closer look back through his form shows he maybe hasn’t beaten too many quality rivals. The path from the Novice Handicap Chase at Cheltenham to graded contests is a well-worn one and I think CALDWELL POTTER (4/1) can repeat the trick here. He jumped for fun in the Festival race and has plenty of back class in his hurdles form. He might not get as easy a lead here but his jumping might just make him hard to pass.
2.20pm
An interesting handicap hurdle over 2m 4f here with 2 well-fancied but ultimately disappointing horses from the Cheltenham Festival heading the market. I fancied Be Aware in that Coral Cup but he didn’t seem to stay (although the flatter track here will help). As for the talking horse Kopek Du Mee, if you back him here, it is on reputation and talk alone as he was abysmal in the Martin Pipe. STEEL ALLY (12/1) for the in-form duo of Sam Thomas and Dylan Johnston is the selection to take them on with. His narrow defeat of Nemean Lion last time out reads well, and the trainer has become an expert at targeting valuable handicaps. If this is the plan (and early betting moves would suggest that it could be), then 12/1 is a very fair price.
2.55pm
A race that sums up the lack of depth in the 2m novice hurdle division. ROMEO COOLIO (5/4) is a short price favourite despite having a relatively hard race in the Supreme and probably ultimately wanting a step up in trip. However, that being said, I don’t see what beats him. He is 8 pounds clear of the next 2 in the market on ratings and even further ahead of the rest. In what is more of an indictment on the rest of the field than a vote of confidence in the fav, I think he just wins here.
3.30pm
A disappointing turnout for the 2m 4f Melling chase with defending champion Jonbon facing just 3 rivals. He holds Protektorat on that run, and while the price differential is on the high side, the Skelton runner is arguably not in the same form as last year. Matata is probably not good enough, and that leaves El Fabiolo. Before Cheltenham last year, I thought he could do all, bar walk on water, but I have been hugely disappointed by his runs since. He was easily dismissed by Jonbon at Sandown last year. But defeat at the hands of Senecia last time out was certainly a low point. It would take a huge leap of faith to think that he can win here, but he is in the right stable for that to happen. If he gets out to a silly price (6/1+) I’ll take a chance that Willie can work his magic but at current prices JONBON is a token selection. Although at odds on, I certainly won’t be steaming in.
4.05pm
One of the most exciting races of the year, the Topham Handicap Chase is a mad dash of 2m 5f over one circuit of the national fences. As you would expect, plenty come here with chance,s including last year’s runner-up James Du Berlais. Interestingly, Paul Townend jumps ship to owner mate Blue Lord, who certainly has claims based on some of his grade 1 form. In a race of this nature, I will unashamedly take 2 against the field. BAD (12/1) has been a transformed horse in his last 3 starts. He has always been a talented animal, but his will to win has been questioned. The application of blinkers has turned him inside out, and although racing off a career high mark, he undoubtedly has the ability. If the National fences spark further improvement (he isn’t big, but neither are the fences these days), then he should be there or thereabouts in the finish.
And the man of the hour Gavin Cromwell and Conor Stone Walsh (still claiming 3) should never be discounted. THE KING OF PRS (25/1) disappointed last time out in the Grand Annual but before that had been progressing nicely in Ireland, doing a lot of his best work at the line over 2m. He shapes as though a step up in trip will unlock further improvement if handling the quicker ground.
4.40pm
Another Grade 1 in name only, but then again, having been won by Gelino Bello and Apple Away in 2 of the last 3 years, this race has hardly been a launchpad to stardom. It’s unlikely there is a future star in this renewal, but perhaps the best will be CALIFET EN VOL (4/1). He has been beaten by just one horse over obstacles, and that is The New Lion. That doesn’t read like bad form now. A point to point runner up, the step up to 3m shouldn’t be an issue and he may out class his rivals here.
5.15pm
The card finishes with another competitive handicap hurdle, this time over 2m. Afadil has been there or thereabouts in 2m handicap hurdles on his last 3 efforts and is 6 pounds lower than when 3rd in this race last year. He certainly has a good chance. But it is Thomas and Johnston again here for me with CELTIC DINO (7/1) making his handicap bow. He has been running well in graded novice hurdles and off 132, if handling the bigger field here is sure to go close.
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