Paul Ferguson has three selections from Aintree on Saturday; Tedham at 1.45, Topofthegame at 2.50 and Dallas des Pictons at 4.40.
It’s been a while since we have seen TEDHAM (1:45) but the form of that Wincanton success has worked out well since and he can go well in the opening Merseyrail Handicap Hurdle, at Aintree on Friday.
Jonjo O’Neill’s lightly-raced novice looks the ideal type for this race and will appreciate the likely strong pace. He had shaped with promise against some decent novices over shorter, before running out a taking winner on his handicap debut over 2m5½f. Given how he travels, the slightly shorter trip here isn’t a concern and a big run looks on the cards.
In the same race, I have plenty of respect for both Brio Conti and Carnardier towards the head of the weights, with both running really big races in the Coral Cup. The latter will appreciate better ground, so the drier the better for his chance, and both also look ideal types for this race.
TOPOFTHEGAME (2:50) won a strong renewal of the RSA Chase last time and can complete the Cheltenham-Aintree double, in this afternoon’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase.
Paul Nicholls’ giant chestnut has improved with each run and although Lostintranslation is a horse who I like a lot and one who promises to be well-suited by the course, ready preference is for the market leader, who has the proven stamina in the book.
The Sefton Novices’ Hurdle looks a good race this year, with Ballymore runner-up Champ setting a really good standard. He will love the flat track, but he can be keen in his races and will need to relax, if he is to get the trip. If he stays, he should be capable of regaining the winning thread, but he is taken on with DALLAS DES PICTONS (4:40) who finished runner-up in the Martin Pipe last time.
He goes back up in distance, having earlier won a Leopardstown handicap over 3m and although he steps up in class here, he looked a potential graded class novice last time and conditions look in his favour. He should be backed each-way, as should Tedham.
Friday’s selections:
1:45 Aintree – Tedham; 4/1 Paddy Power
2:50 Aintree – Topofthegame; 4/5 William Hill
4:40 Aintree – Dallas des Pictons; 9/2 Coral
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