There’s a quality National Hunt card at Aintree on Sunday 26th October, as it’s Old Roan Chase day at the Merseyside venue. We focus our Sunday GG Lucky 15 on the action in the north west and pick out our best four bets on the afternoon…
1.15 Aintree – TOM DONIPHON (1pt win – 11/4 William Hill)
A real model of consistency last season over hurdles, TOM DONIPHON will look to make a winning start over fences on Sunday in the 1.15pm at Aintree for Philip Hobbs & Johnson White. A winner of two Taunton races before finishing second at Sandown on his last outing, the six-year-old will line up off an opening chase mark of 121 for this event, and he could continue his progression this season and kick off with a win. He was second in a point at the start of his career, so he has some experience over fences, and in this trappy contest he could prove to be well weighted to run a big race.
1.50 Aintree – LE MILOS (1pt win – 3/1 generally)
A winner of the 2022 Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase, LE MILOS may not be the force of old that can compete in top level staying handicap chase, but Dan Skelton’s veteran should prove to be too good for his rivals in the 1.50pm contest. He showed when claiming an emphatic five-and-a-half length victory at Fakenham back in May that he still possesses some notable ability over fences, and while he’s been given a 3lbs rise for that victory, a mark of 143 looks within his capabilities. He will have to give weight away to his rivals here, but he’s one of the more consistent performers lining up and he can land the money.
2.55 Aintree – BOOMBAWN (1pt win – 4/1 William Hill)
If Ahoy Senor was at his best then he’d cruise to victory in the Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase at 2.55pm, but the Lucinda Russell-trained multiple Graded winner has struggled in recent times to produce his best, so is worth taking on with BOOMBAWN, who lines up for Dan and Harry Skelton. A very good fourth behind Impaire Et Passe in the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree back in April, he was then unable to finish any better than fifth in the Oaksey Chase at Sandown. Now returning after a break, he will look to continue to blossom out of the novice sphere and in receipt of 9lbs from Ahoy Senor he can duly cement his place as a Graded chaser to watch this year and is the selection.
3.30 Aintree – ACE OF SPADES (1pt win – 7/2 generally)
A dual winner at Cheltenham and Kelso last season, ACE OF SPADES ended his campaign with a very likeable second placed finish at Ayr in April. That came over three miles and he drops back in trip for this contest which could prove ideal, as he looks to taste victory in the 3.30pm event over 2m 4f. He was only given a 2lbs rise by the handicapper for that run in Scotland, so he still looks capable of improving on his current 127 mark, and he can make it a superb day for the Skelton team on Merseyside with victory here.
GG Racing Lucky 15 Tips For Sunday 26th October