Hot on the heels of Cheltenham’s Showcase meeting we have Aintree’s Jewson Halloween Family Day, where the Old Roan chase takes centre stage with My Drogo and Hitman going to head in a mouthwatering clash and highly billed names like Inthewaterside, Kitty’s Light, Pembroke and more also in action across the space of the seven race card.
GG writer Dan Corbally is on hand to guide us through his selections for all seven races on the competitive card. See who’s he’s siding with and back his selections with Copybet, who are offering new customers £40 in FREE BETS when they place a £10 bet!
12.50pm – Jewson Click And Collect Conditional Jockey’s Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
A very tricky 0-130 heat to solve, with a few of them with questions to answer. Top-weight, Giovanni Change, is rated close to his peak ability but did hit form in the Spring/Summer, taking out a flat race before landing a similar event to today at Market Rasen over hurdles, he was pulled up last time out and although dropped 2lbs for that he probably needs some further respite for win purposes. Secret Trix was another who landed a sequence over the summer improving 21lbs since late May, landing a hat-trick of wins and a second in the process, it’s hard to know where exactly his ceiling is but the suspicion is the handicapper is getting to grips. MYLESFROMWICKLOW has become the proverbial inevitable bridesmaid, finishing runner-up on four straight occasions, but he did land a three mile point prior to those efforts under rules, leaving the distinct impression this first attempt at three miles for his current handler could hold the key under Tristan Durrell. With the likelihood of improvement to come he looks a solid proposition.
1.25pm – Jewson Vieux Lion Rouge Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Class 2)
A few more angles in this one, as you’d expect with a veterans’ chase we have plenty of form to go on. Landofsmiles has really made hay while the sun shined during the summer, with the ten-year-old taking his form to a new level; landing three wins and going up by a stone in the process, however he was pulled up on his toughest assignment yet and could be vulnerable here. Another who should prove vulnerable, even if allowing for the introduction to Veteran Chases, is Duc De Beauchene. He looks weighted to the hilt after a productive spring in lower grade races. Wishing And Hoping acts well around here and rolled back the years in January when landing another veteran’s chase at a whopping 50/1. He was a game second last year under a customary aggressive front-running, and although respected he could prove vulnerable. It can often pay to stick with the younger horses in these races and as a result we land on CAP DU NORD, he’s back down to his last successful mark of 127, off which he bolted up in the Swinley Grade 3 Handicap Chase at Ascot and he also receives the helping hand of an additional 7lbs off via Ellis Collier’s claim. Old favourites Boldmere, who invariably runs well in these contests and Top Ville Ben, are respected on their seasonal debut.
2.00pm – Jewson Fast Set Finish Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2)
The pick of the races on the card and a race worthy of the feature tag. The heart is somewhat ruling the head with this selection but it’s impossible to getaway from MY DROGO, even though he has a long absence to overcome. He’s always been held in the highest regard by connections and was a Grade 1 winning novice hurdler and has already shown he has the potential for better over fences. Hitman also returns from a break, he was narrowly denied in this race last year and finished third in last season’s Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham. He deserve the utmost respect while race-fit rivals Tommy’s Oscar and Al Dancer aren’t there to make up the numbers either, both bring a high-level of form and ability to the table.
2.35pm – Jewson Birkenhead, Price Street Maiden Hurdle (Class 3)
Considerably less form to focus on in this event but eagle-eyed Paul Nicholls followers (or those with a GG tracker) will have been waiting for the promising INTHEWATERSIDE‘S return to action, he’s making his hurdles debut here. He created quite an impression in both bumpers and the feeling is he’ll be even better now tackling timber. He looks the pick of these while Simple Getaway could be an interesting project having won his point, he could prove above average but can benefit from this initial experience under rules. Jagwar catches the eye, with a rare ride for the stable for Jonjo O’Neill Jr., connections will be hoping he could be the next Iroko.
10 To Follow – Dave Young (Cheltmental) Horses To Follow For The 23/24 Jumps Season
The 2023/24 Jumps Season is underway and we’ve got all our team to give their ’10 to follow’ for the NH season. Dave Young (Cheltmental) is the next to give his selections, which include six selections from the big Irish yards, as well as a Nicky Henderson mare he has high hopes for. LUCCIA (Nicky…
Mon 23 Oct 20233.20pm – Jewson Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)
A cracking race, even if it looks a very tricky one to solve. Kitty’s Light returns to action having landed a notable hat-trick in staying chases towards the end of last season, including the Scottish Grand National and Eider chase, he’s best seen to best effect in that discipline so can probably be left alone on seasonal debut over this insufficient trip. Santos Blue is another who notched up a treble last season, admittedly at a lower level over hurdles, before signing off a game third at Cheltenham’s April meeting over three miles. Fergal O’Brien’s new recruit Crambo was highly tried last season, twice running at Grade 1 level and landing a competitive Grade 3 Handicap in the EBF final at Sandown, while under the care of Paul Nicholls. SONIGINO is still in the care of the Ditcheat based trainer and looked all over the winner in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow on seasonal debut, but didn’t find as much as expected having travelled like a dream. That can be forgiven as it was his first run of the season and some of the trainer’s representatives have needed a run. If he can step forward from that effort he should be bang there at the finish again in this contest.
UPDATE: SONIGINO (NON RUNNER) – Replacement CRAMBO
3.55pm – Jewson St Helens Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Class 3)
PEMBROKE (NAP) is a horse on my ten to follow this season, and as his top weight suggests, he looks a cut above in this contest. He went off favourite for last season’s County Hurdle after heavy support, having previously won a couple of novice contests before placing at Grade 2 level. He was more than satisfactory on chasing/seasonal debut, when second to Chasing Fire, having made a mistake two from home. He should prove hard to beat with that run under his belt. Master Chewy looks best of the rest having run to a fair level over hurdles without winning with his yard going well. Venetia Williams’ Martator is one to keep an eye on now switched to fences. He was disappointing over hurdles since switched to the UK but he had a high level of form in France, including a couple of placings at Grade 1 level and won a Listed Handicap.
4.30pm – Jewson Southport, Bispham Road EBF Mares’ Open National Hunt Flat Race (Class 4)
Not a lot to go on for the bumper, as can be expected at this time of year. Sweet Honey B, Lady Jago & Lady In The Park all won a point-to-point before their switch to rules, while Betty’s Tiara justified warm support in game fashion at Stratford in August. She carries a penalty here, so will need to do even better today. French Highlands comes from a family that Lucinda Russell knows well, being a half-sister to useful stayer Haute Estime, but may do better once tackling obstacles. The unraced COCO BRAVE takes the vote, she hails from the Anthony Honeyball yard who excel in this sphere and comes from a family with plenty of bumper winners Pat’s Oscar & Kilkishen. She has other useful horses in the family like Louis’ Vac Pouch & Hiddenvalley Lake and has the services of Sam Twiston-Davies in the saddle.
Through-The-Card Tips
12.50 Aintree – Mylesfromwicklow
1.25 Aintree – Cap Du Nord
2.00 Aintree – My Drogo
2.35 Aintree – Inthewaterside
3.10 Aintree – Crambo (Sonigino N/R)
3.45 Aintree – Pembroke
4.20 Aintree – Coco Brave
10 To Follow – Andrew Mount’s Horses To Follow For The 23/24 Jumps Season
The 2023/24 Jumps Season is underway and we’ve got all our team to give their ’10 to follow’ for the NH season. GG’s chief tipster Andrew Mount is the next to give his selections, which include two runners from champion trainer Paul Nicholls yard, as well as last season’s Irish Grand National winner. BYKER (Charles…
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