Latest news with #MondoMan
Telegraph
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Grand National Festival Day 1 tips: Thursday April 3
The 2025 Grand National Festival at Aintree gets under way on Thursday with a seven-race card that comprises four Grade 1 contests, a Premier Handicap, a National Hunt Flat race plus a hunter chase in which the runners tackle the formidable fences that will be used in Saturday's big race. Our expert has cast his eye over the first day's runners and riders and provided five selections for readers to consider. Betting on Aintree? Take a look at these Grand National betting offers and the Grand National runners and riders guide that has everything you need to know, including an expert rating for each horse in the big race. Grand National Day 1 tips – Aintree, Thursday April 3 1.45 – Rubaud @ 12/1 with Sky Bet 2.20 – Mambonumberfive @ 10/1 with Sky Bet 3.30 – Constitution Hill @ 8/11 with Sky Bet 4.40 – Sans Bruit @ 6/1 with Sky Bet 4.40 – Calico @ 12/1 with Sky Bet Odds provided by Sky Bet and correct at the time of writing. If you already have a Sky Bet account and are looking for a new bookmaker to use for this week's racing, check out our list of the best free bets. 1.45 Aintree – ECB Group Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1, 2m 4f) The three horses at the head of the market – Impaire Et Passe, Jango Baie and Croke Park – should draw most of the focus in this race, which means bettors should get a healthy price on RUBAUD. Two years ago this month, the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding won the Scottish Champion Hurdle on good going at Ayr. Bottomless ground at Sandown in December forced the postponement of his chasing debut until later that month, when he was a faller in good-to-soft conditions at Kempton. However, at Warwick in February he pushed the talented L'Eau du Sud all the way to the line in an impressive performance over two miles. That run suggested a step up in trip would be beneficial – and so it proved as he won over an extended version 2m 4f at Kempton a fortnight later.. With the benefit of experience and more springlike conditions that should suit him, there is certainly value in backing Rubaud. 2.20 Aintree – Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m 1f) We are overlooking Cheltenham form here and opting for MAMBONUMBERFIVE, who impressed when beating four rivals to land a Grade 2 hurdle at Kempton in February. Second and third that day were St Pancras, who won on both starts either side of that run, and Mondo Man, the most notable scalp of all. A very classy performer on the Flat, Mondo Man pushed the impressive Lulamba all the way on his hurdles debut, so the Kempton form can be upgraded. Ben Pauling swerved Cheltenham with this juvenile so he will be fresh today against rivals who are returning to action quite quickly. 3.30 Aintree – William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m 4f) This is going to be a short preview, with CONSTITUTION HILL expected to make amends for his fall in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and confirm his form from earlier in the season with the Mares' Hurdle winner Lossiemouth, despite the extra four furlongs in trip. The eight-year-old is the best horse in the race and Nico de Boinville will be in no mood for further mistakes, so expect a statement-making ride. And look out for boosts on the day as you might be able to get evens or better on Nicky Henderson's star performer. 4.40 Aintree – Red Rum Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap, 2m) Last year's winner SANS BRUIT runs the same mark as 12 months ago, having failed to progress throughout the season. That said, he hasn't run without promise and a return to this venue could definitely prove a successful move on what could be a good day for trainer Paul Nicholls. CALICO looks very overpriced at 16/1 and can't be dismissed for the valuable handicap specialists Harry and Dan Skelton. He runs off just 2lb higher than his win in October at Cheltenham and similar conditions today should help him to go close, especially if there is market confidence. Expert's tipping record
The Guardian
21-02-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Collectors Item can prove value bet for punters in gruelling Eider Chase
At four miles, one furlong and 55 yards, the Eider Chase at Newcastle is barely a furlong shorter than the Grand National and with the ground soft in places and some rain in the forecast, it may well demand as much staying power from its winner as the Aintree showpiece in April. As a result, it will require a slight leap of faith for punters to back either O'Connell or Collectors Item, the early favourites after a full field of 18 was declared on Thursday, as both will be racing beyond three-and-a-half miles for the first time. It is fair to stay that both horses shape as though marathon trips will be their forte, however, but O'Connell, who is going for a fourth straight handicap success, is now 22lb higher than for the first of those wins. Collectors Item (2.10) too is edging up the weights after a productive season to date but a 4lb rise for a strong-staying win at Wincanton last time is all but offset by Jack Hogan's 3lb claim. Kempton 1.50 Rubaud was somewhat flattered by his proximity to the Arkle-bound L'Eau Du Sud in the Kingmaker at Warwick but that was still a step forward after a fall on his chasing debut and this is a track where he generally runs well. Kempton 2.25 Having entered both Lulamba and Palladium for the last major trial for the Triumph Hurdle, Nicky Henderson decided to keep both of his leading four-year-olds at home but the form of Lulamba's British debut at Ascot in January should still get a boost via Mondo Man. Gary and Josh Moore's gelding was classy on the Flat, with a fifth place in the French Derby on his cv, and was within four lengths of Lulamba last time despite racing freely for much of the way. Southwell 2.40 Last year's winner, Diligent Harry, looked like he needed the run on his return from nearly 200 days off at Lingfield last time and he could well find the improvement required to turn the tables on Marshman, who was four lengths in front of him there. Kempton 3.00 A switch to front-running tactics saw an abrupt improvement in form by Andashan over course and distance earlier this month. This is a significant step up in the class but the bare form of his 18-length win was backed up by a strong time that suggests he is worth his place in Grade Two company. Kempton 1.15 Saint Anapolino 1.50 Rubaud 2.25 Mondo Man 3.00 Andashan 3.35 Lowry's Bar (nap) 4.10 Keep Running 4.45 One Knight Chepstow 1.25 Kapal Layar 2.00 Royal Jewel 2.32 Ikarak 3.07 Prince Quali 3.44 Sao Carlos 4.17 C'Est Different 4.52 Just Golden Newcastle 1.35 Drusilla 2.10 Collectors Item (nb) 2.45 He's Bresilian 3.20 J'Etoile 3.55 Big Boy Bobby 4.30 Caldwell 5.05 Treasured Company Southwell 2.40 Diligent Harry 3.15 Royal Champion 3.50 Glen Buck 4.25 Abruzzo Mia 5.00 Where's Freddy 5.30 Legendary Day 6.00 General Admission 6.30 Midnight's Dream 7.00 Shahbaz Chelmsford 5.15 Scattering Light 5.45 Enpassant 6.15 Combustion 6.45 Brunel Charm 7.15 El Bufalo 7.45 Elterwater 8.15 Ballybaymoonshiner Southwell 3.15 Royal Champion has had a globe-trotting career in six seasons on the track, having spent four years with Roger Varian in Newmarket before a switch to race in Australia where he was placed at Group Two level. He is now back in the UK with Kevin Ryan and looked as good as ever when landing a Listed event at Lingfield on the last day of 2024. Kempton 3.35 A bad mistake three out put paid to the winning chance of Lowry's Bar in a Grade Two novice chase at Windsor in January but he still kept on well to get within three lengths of a useful winner in Jingko Blue, has progressed smoothly in four starts over fences and remains unexposed at this three-mile trip.
