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Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Grand National tips: Experts' best bets and 11 horses to watch today at Aintree today
The Grand National Festival continues with day two at Aintree set to provide more thrills and spills with some high class racing. Officials have compensated for the dry conditions by watering the ground to ensure the going is good to soft but yesterday proved that this is still going to be a quick course to cover. Jonbon headlines the day in the Melling Chase but all eyes are on the showpiece event this Saturday with the Grand National field now confirmed. Last year's winner I Am Maximus is back and among the main contenders, while Iroko, Stumptown, Hewick, Intense Raffles and Vanillier are also heavily fancied by tipsters and experts. I Am Maximus is attempting to create history as the first runner carrying top weight to win since three-time winner Red Rum in the 1970s, while only Tiger Roll has defended the title, in 2019, since then. . 1.45pm Handstands – 2 point win @ 2/1 (William Hill) The Changing Man – 1/2 point each-way @ 12/1 (William Hill) The decision to sidestep Cheltenham and head straight here can play dividends for Handstands who should relish the step back up to three miles. The six-year-old's form was given a tidy boost when Jango Baie, gamely beaten by the selection at Sandown in February, went on to win the Arkle Chase at the Festival and he is reported in good shape ahead of this assignment. The Changing Man doesn't win very often, but he has acquitted himself well in some tough handicaps this year and any price of 10/1 or above with preferred betting sites looks a fair each-way play with decent ground sure to suit. 2.20pm Be Aware – 1pt ew @ 7/1 (bet365) – 6 places Helnwein – 1/2pt ew @ 14/1 (bet365) – 6 places Be Aware didn't seem to quite see out the trip of the Coral Cup on a stiff track and may prove more at home on the flatter surrounds of Aintree. Dan Skelton's grey son of Martaline had previously finished placed in two of the season's hottest handicap and represents a team which have won two of the last three renewals of this race. If you go back far enough, Helnwein beat Be Aware on the final day of last season at Sandown so could be overpriced on Grand National betting sites. Backers need to take on trust his ability to see out the trip, but it looks a risk worth taking at the price. 2.55pm Romeo Coolio – 2pt win @ 5/4 (William Hill) The Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle looked a race to follow, and it will be disappointing if third-home Romeo Coolio can't uphold the form here. This speed track may not play to his strengths quite as much as Cheltenham, but hopefully he can be ridden close to the pace and kick at the opportune moment under Sam Ewing. Tripoli Flyer is very much respected, but he appears to show plenty of disdain for his hurdles and can't afford to do that in Grade 1 company. 3.30pm Jonbon to beat Protektorat – 1pt forecast Events didn't go to plan at Cheltenham for Jonbon who was just one of a number of short-priced horses at the Festival to forfeit their chance with a modest round of jumping. Hopefully, he can put things right here and reprise his victory in last year's renewal. Protektorat was two-and-a-half lengths in arrears 12 months ago and could be the one to follow the selection home again following a commendable effort in the Ryanair Chase. 4.05pm James Du Berlais - 1pt ew @ 8/1 (William Hill) – 6 places Ginnys Destiny - 1/2pt ew @ 16/1 (bet365) – 6 places James Du Berlais jumped the final fence in this event last year pretty much on the bridle, so it was a surprise he didn't get the job done. His entire season looks as though it has been geared around going one better and his supporters will be hoping for a similar round of jumping and perhaps a slightly more patient ride from J J Slevin who takes over from Paul Townend. Backing Ginny's Destiny requires an act of faith but, in the hope that the first-time tongue tie and cheekpiece combination works the oracle, he might be worth a small each-way bet on horse racing betting sites off an enticing mark. 4.40pm Califet En Vol - 1pt ew @ 4/1 (Betfred) – 4 places Twenty of the last 24 winners of this race had won at least twice over hurdles, while 18 of the last 19 were aged six or seven. Three of the last 10 were also trained by Nicky Henderson so Califet En Vol makes plenty of appeal, especially as 14 of this century's winners had also skipped Cheltenham like he did. The selection's form behind Cheltenham festival scorer The New Lion looks the pick on offer here and he also fits the profile of six of the last eight winners who were ex-pointers. 5.15pm Celtic Dino - 1pt ew @ 13/2 (Skybet) – 6 places Slugger – 1/2pt ew @ 33/1 (bet365) – 5 places The ground is quite an important component to Celtic Dino but there should be no concerns on that score here and he represents one of the stronger views of day two. A sound surface saw the selection post excellent times at both Wincanton and Ascot before the turn of the year, while he still ran commendably in Grade 1 company at this venue on Boxing Day. A recent effort behind Tripoli Flyer at Kempton was also a creditable effort under conditions which didn't play to his strengths, and he looks handicapped to make his mark here. Slugger is one of three Harry Derham entries to hold live chances, and he narrowly gains the nod as an each-way dart courtesy of his fine effort in a strongly run Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso last time.
The Independent
04-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Grand National tips: Experts' best bets and 11 horses to watch today at Aintree today
The Grand National Festival continues with day two at Aintree set to provide more thrills and spills with some high class racing. Officials have compensated for the dry conditions by watering the ground to ensure the going is good to soft but yesterday proved that this is still going to be a quick course to cover. Jonbon headlines the day in the Melling Chase but all eyes are on the showpiece event this Saturday with the Grand National field now confirmed. Last year's winner I Am Maximus is back and among the main contenders, while Iroko, Stumptown, Hewick, Intense Raffles and Vanillier are also heavily fancied by tipsters and experts. I Am Maximus is attempting to create history as the first runner carrying top weight to win since three-time winner Red Rum in the 1970s, while only Tiger Roll has defended the title, in 2019, since then. Day 1: Friday 4 April 1.45pm Handstands – 2 point win @ 2/1 (William Hill) The Changing Man – 1/2 point each-way @ 12/1 (William Hill) The decision to sidestep Cheltenham and head straight here can play dividends for Handstands who should relish the step back up to three miles. The six-year-old's form was given a tidy boost when Jango Baie, gamely beaten by the selection at Sandown in February, went on to win the Arkle Chase at the Festival and he is reported in good shape ahead of this assignment. The Changing Man doesn't win very often, but he has acquitted himself well in some tough handicaps this year and any price of 10/1 or above with preferred betting sites looks a fair each-way play with decent ground sure to suit. 2.20pm Be Aware – 1pt ew @ 7/1 (bet365) – 6 places Helnwein – 1/2pt ew @ 14/1 (bet365) – 6 places Be Aware didn't seem to quite see out the trip of the Coral Cup on a stiff track and may prove more at home on the flatter surrounds of Aintree. Dan Skelton's grey son of Martaline had previously finished placed in two of the season's hottest handicap and represents a team which have won two of the last three renewals of this race. If you go back far enough, Helnwein beat Be Aware on the final day of last season at Sandown so could be overpriced on Grand National betting sites. Backers need to take on trust his ability to see out the trip, but it looks a risk worth taking at the price. 2.55pm Romeo Coolio – 2pt win @ 5/4 (William Hill) The Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle looked a race to follow, and it will be disappointing if third-home Romeo Coolio can't uphold the form here. This speed track may not play to his strengths quite as much as Cheltenham, but hopefully he can be ridden close to the pace and kick at the opportune moment under Sam Ewing. Tripoli Flyer is very much respected, but he appears to show plenty of disdain for his hurdles and can't afford to do that in Grade 1 company. 3.30pm Jonbon to beat Protektorat – 1pt forecast Events didn't go to plan at Cheltenham for Jonbon who was just one of a number of short-priced horses at the Festival to forfeit their chance with a modest round of jumping. Hopefully, he can put things right here and reprise his victory in last year's renewal. Protektorat was two-and-a-half lengths in arrears 12 months ago and could be the one to follow the selection home again following a commendable effort in the Ryanair Chase. 4.05pm James Du Berlais - 1pt ew @ 8/1 (William Hill) – 6 places Ginnys Destiny - 1/2pt ew @ 16/1 (bet365) – 6 places James Du Berlais jumped the final fence in this event last year pretty much on the bridle, so it was a surprise he didn't get the job done. His entire season looks as though it has been geared around going one better and his supporters will be hoping for a similar round of jumping and perhaps a slightly more patient ride from J J Slevin who takes over from Paul Townend. Backing Ginny's Destiny requires an act of faith but, in the hope that the first-time tongue tie and cheekpiece combination works the oracle, he might be worth a small each-way bet on horse racing betting sites off an enticing mark. 4.40pm Califet En Vol - 1pt ew @ 4/1 (Betfred) – 4 places Twenty of the last 24 winners of this race had won at least twice over hurdles, while 18 of the last 19 were aged six or seven. Three of the last 10 were also trained by Nicky Henderson so Califet En Vol makes plenty of appeal, especially as 14 of this century's winners had also skipped Cheltenham like he did. The selection's form behind Cheltenham festival scorer The New Lion looks the pick on offer here and he also fits the profile of six of the last eight winners who were ex-pointers. 5.15pm Celtic Dino - 1pt ew @ 13/2 (Skybet) – 6 places Slugger – 1/2pt ew @ 33/1 (bet365) – 5 places The ground is quite an important component to Celtic Dino but there should be no concerns on that score here and he represents one of the stronger views of day two. A sound surface saw the selection post excellent times at both Wincanton and Ascot before the turn of the year, while he still ran commendably in Grade 1 company at this venue on Boxing Day. A recent effort behind Tripoli Flyer at Kempton was also a creditable effort under conditions which didn't play to his strengths, and he looks handicapped to make his mark here. Slugger is one of three Harry Derham entries to hold live chances, and he narrowly gains the nod as an each-way dart courtesy of his fine effort in a strongly run Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso last time.
The Independent
10-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Cheltenham Placepot Tips For Day One of The Festival
Day one of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival opens with a cracking renewal of the Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle (1.20pm) and all eyes will be on Kopek Des Bordes and how he copes with the pre-race atmosphere. In fairness to the red-hot ante-post favourite on betting sites, his excitable nature didn't seem to have too much impact on his level of performance at the Dublin Racing Festival last time and the one notable aspect of that display was the improvement in his jumping from his previous debut outing over hurdles. Romeo Coolio is also worth including in the perm as he is a solid galloper with a touch of star quality who boasts good experience of the Festival courtesy of his second in last year's bumper. Majborough is the second of three well-backed Willie Mullins favourites on the card and another which could hold all the aces in the Arkle (2.00pm). He has looked tremendously impressive in both starts over fences to date and was a good winner of the Triumph Hurdle last March. Super-sub Jango Baie is no Sir Gino – sadly sidelined and missing from the line up for his trainer – but he boasts winning form round Cheltenham and should finish off the race strongly. He could also get placed and offers some insurance if the favourite underperforms. The Ultima Chase (2.40pm) is a tough heat for placepot players to negotiate, but the younger less-exposed horses have a good record in recent renewals, so Broadway Boy and The Changing Man make plenty of appeal, while Henry's Friend is also improving at the right time. Lossiemouth dominates the market on horse racing betting sites in the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (3.20pm) and should make a bold bid to defend her crown if her fall at Leopardstown last time hasn't dented her confidence. The drying ground should play to the strengths of Take No Chances and she could outrun her odds with her form behind Wodhooh and Joyeuse here in December giving her a frame chance. It is hard to envisage a scenario where both Constitution Hill and Brighterdaysahead are unplaced in an intriguing Unibet Champion Hurdle (4.00pm) so both make the perm, even if it is tempting to banker one of them. The final leg looks another tricky event for backers with 22 juveniles vying for four places in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (4.40pm). At least Stencil and Total Look have experience of the track and look to have the confirmations and ability to cope with one of the most well-contested handicaps of the week. The duo both make the cut along with recent Southwell scorer Liam Swagger, who appreciated having the cheekpieces refitted on the level last time and looks overpriced for a team that is excellent with their juveniles. Cheltenham Placepot perm 1.20 5 Kopek Des Bordes 6 Romeo Coolio 2.00 1 Jango Baie 3 Majborough 2.40 3 Broadway Boy 8 Henry's Friend 13 The Changing Man 3.20 9 Lossiemouth 11 Take No Chances 4.00 2 Constitution Hill 6 Brighterdaysahead 4.40 4 Stencil 5 Total Look 13 Liam Swagger 2x2x3x2x2x3 = 144 lines Please gamble responsibly Bettors should always follow responsible gambling practices. Even the most knowledgeable punter can lose a bet, so always stick to a budget and never chase your losses. When using gambling sites be aware that sports betting can be addictive so please take steps to remain in control of your time and budget. The same applies whether you're using new betting sites, slot sites, casino sites, casino apps, or any other gambling medium. It's particularly important not to get carried if you receive a casino bonus or any free bets, which are available in abundance before and during the Cheltenham Festival, but must be approached with caution. You can stay in control by making use of the responsible gambling tools offered, such as deposit limits, loss limits, self-exclusion and time-outs. You may also want to visit the following free organisations to discuss any issues with gambling you might be having:
