After a hugely enjoyable first day of The Festival we move on to the second with spirits renewed.
The ground at Prestbury Park, having been heavy following rain, has dried out somewhat and that means that tacky, stamina-sapping conditions will greet the runners and riders when they step out there today.
That’s something we’ve kept in mind while laying out our plays for the afternoon. Skipping around the handicaps for now, we’ve brought you a tip for each of the other races.
1:30 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
Samcro has been the most-hyped horse of the season and Michael O’Leary’s charge could be anything. The Deloitte winner’s talent is undoubted, but it’s difficult to think that his price reflects his chance in today’s opener.
We’re willing to take him on.
Next Destination, fourth in last year’s Champion Bumper, is a fairer price at second favourite and can be backed in opposition. He’s got course form on his side and having won on heavy in Navan in the past, he’ll stay all day here.
He can be backed to make it four from four over hurdles at 4/1 or better.
14:10 RSA Insurance Novices' Chase
We’re firmly on the side of Presenting Percy in this one, more on that here.
15:30 Queen Mother Champion Chase
Last year’s Arkle winner Altior is supremely talented and will form the cornerstone of many Fav-backers multiples this afternoon.
We’re after a bit of value further down the field, though, and Min is the one we want to be with.
He put a disappointing defeat to Simply Ned at Leopardstown two starts back firmly behind him when slapping that rival at the same course last time.
With Special Tiara getting things going at a good gallop, Min can settle and test just how sharp Altior is with just one facile run under his belt after his wind op.
The 4/1 available this morning seems very reasonable indeed.
16:10 Glenfarclas Chase
The McManus colours have dominated this division since its inception and that looks set to continue.
Cause of Causes won this last year and the place just seems to spark him to life. He thrives under the unique conditions and is a worthy market topper.
His year will have revolved around this and we’ll take an interest in this watchable affair at 3/1.
Another that could go well is Kim Bailey’s The Last Samurai goes here on the way to the National and should go well. He’ll stay the trip, crucially, and as he form over the National fences at Aintree, he should go well around Cross-Country course.
A small interest each-way at 6/1 appeals.
17:30 Champion Bumper
The Leopardstown bumper that Blackbow won is comfortably the strongest form of any races run in the division on either side of the Irish sea this campaign.
He lines up as a liekly type but it’s the one that chased him home that day that we want to be with.
Joseph O’Brien’s Rhinestone, another with a strong flat pedigree, gave Blackbow a lead that day and couldn’t quite real him in when he tried.
While he lacked the speed of the market principle that day, he showed an admirable amount of stamina and that will prove vital here.
He'll be ridden to bring out his strengths in the closer today by Barry Geraghty and he can reverse the form with Blackbow; if he does that he’ll be hard stopped.
The 8/1 that’s on offer is a gift and he’s the strongest fancy of the day for us.
