Friday’s racing focuses once more on Aintree as day two of the Grand National meeting provides yet another superb card.
Matty Sutcliffe has four tips for Friday’s racing, all of which run at the Merseyside track.
Aintree Racing Tips (Friday 10 April)
Day two at Aintree features the Grade 1 Melling Chase and the Topham Handicap Chase over the Grand National fences. Matty has four selections in all to follow.
1:45 Aintree – William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Fingle Bridge 33/1 1pt EW 6 places
If Fingle Bridge can bounce back from a disappointing display on heavy going in the Imperial Cup last time out, then he looks a knocking bet for this contest. He returned from a 714 day layoff last season when comfortably landing a Uttoxeter Maiden Hurdle, and he backed that up when beating Wellington Arch, who went on to land this race last season.
He then won a Listed race at Exeter, beating the then 134 rated Regent’s Stroll by two lengths who franked that to be beaten half a length in Grade One company at this meeting. In third there was Julius Des Pictons, who won the Grade One Sefton Novices’ Hurdle here next time out and in fourth was Alexei, now rated 158.
He wasn’t seen until going chasing this season and he made a strong debut in that sphere when a ten length second to Lulamba giving him 7lbs, finishing ahead of the dual subsequent Grade 2 winner Salver.
He caught the eye strongly at Ayr when not given an overly strong ride in the finish, and may have won that if not getting the last all wrong, and the winner has followed up in the Jack Richards since.
He lost little in defeat back over hurdles (career best RPR) when second at Warwick giving the winner 16lbs, and he pulled 24 lengths clear of the third there. On all of his best form, he has the potential to be much better than a 137 horse and if rediscovering his earlier hurdling promise then he can bounce back to form here.
2:20 Aintree – William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) – Doyen Quest 16/1 0.5pt EW 3 places
This looks a weak enough renewal of this Grade 1 which may enable Doyen Quest to put up a bold showing, particularly if persevering with his aggressive tactics.
He has form figures of 142122 over fences including two credible seconds to Salver the last twice, who ran incredibly well in the circumstances in the Brown Advisory last time out and I’m surprised there’s as much of a gap between the pair in the market.
He comfortably beat Quebecois ten lengths earlier on in the season who was agonisingly just touched off in the Ultima last time out, and that form isn’t a mile away from what may be required to win this.
A dry forecast is in his favour, and if he was to come up short through a slight lack of class, it’s tough to envisage him out of the placings as a consolation.
3:30 Aintree – JCB Melling Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) – Gidleigh Park 8/1 1pt WIN
Some faith is required with Gidleigh Park who’s pulled up on two of his last five starts, but the three efforts in between read strongly and are more than worthy of him running a big race here.
He beat the subsequent Grade One winner Caldwell Potter in Grade 2 company at Windsor, before an excellent second over course and distance in the Manifesto here last season, finishing ahead of Jango Baie.
Jango Baie reversed the form with him at Ascot on seasonal debut, but it was still a strong performance from Gidleigh Park given the winners exploits since. I don’t think he particularly wants to lead, and the prospect of a strong pace from both JPR One and Saint Segal suggests he’ll get the toe into the contest he needs to be seen to best effect.
4:05 Aintree – Randox Topham Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) – Madara 9/2 1pt WIN
I thought it was a serious performance from Madara in the Plate Handicap at Cheltenham last month who was backed like defeat was out of the question and duly obliged. He travelled with ease throughout under Harry Skelton and it was incredibly impressive with how he bolted up after the last.
A 10lbs rise is more than fair, but he looked like a potentially graded animal here and it may not be enough to stop him. His neck second over the Auteuil fences bode well for this test, and if able to reproduce that latest performance then I’d struggle to see him beat.
Matty Sutcliffe’s Best Bets
1:45 Aintree – William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Fingle Bridge 33/1 1pt EW 6 places
2:20 Aintree – William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) – Doyen Quest 16/1 0.5pt EW 3 places
3:30 Aintree – JCB Melling Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) – Gidleigh Park 8/1 1pt WIN
4:05 Aintree – Randox Topham Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) – Madara 9/2 1pt WIN
Matty Sutcliffe’s Top Tips – Friday 10 April
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets for the racing at Aintree on Friday 10 April.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 11.48am on Thursday 9 April.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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