There’s no less than nine meetings this afternoon on an action-packed Easter Monday with seven fixtures in Britain and two across the Irish Sea. Fairyhouse is the pick of the action with Tony McCoy bidding to claim a second Irish Grand National success with the 19-time Champion Jockey riding Cantlow for trainer Paul Webber. He runs bidding to better his 8th place finish when chasing home Shutthefrontdoor, the 6/1 favourite (EW ¼ 1-2-3-4-5-6) with BetVictor for Saturday’s Crabbies Grand National at Aintree, last term and if a fascinating contender for the shrewdest of connections.
Cantlow is a stone better off at the weights this term and sports a first-time tongue-tie, part of a three-strong team for Champion Owner JP McManus alongside Tom Mullins’ Alderwood and Philip Hobbs’ If In Doubt. The latter bids to concede weight all round, however preference lay with Los Amigos (5.00) for Jim Dreaper and Andrew Lynch. The selection returned from an absence of almost eleven months to beat Lion Na Bearnai at the track in January and should be stripped fitter for the outing. The 8-y-o sports first-time head-gear is relatively unexposed and, providing he sees out the marathon 3m 5f trip, is a confident selection to reward each-way support.
Thousand Stars bounced back to form landing the G2 Hurdle over two and a half miles last term and he will be fancied to supplement that success under Ruby Walsh however Noble Endeavour (3.20) can score for Gordon Elliot and Robbie Colgan. The selection was nailed late on by Killultagh Vic in the Marin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival, with the pair pulling clear. The well-bred son of Flemensfirth should appreciate the forecast testing conditions and can get the better of Tony Martin’s Dedigout, who should similarly appreciate the heavy going and has Paul Carberry in the plate for the first time.
She may not be a ‘working man’s price’ however Vroum Vroum Mag (5.35) is unopposable bidding to maintain her 100% record for Willie Mullins in the Mares Chase over two and a half miles. The mare is four from four since joining the Champion Trainer from France and should maintain her unbeaten record under Ruby Walsh.
Elsewhere, King Massini (3.40) was unfortunate to bump into one last time out at Taunton and should be able to make amends under regular partner Adam Wedge at Fakenham. Evan Williams’ 8-y-o was well-supported in the market prior to pulling clear with the progressive Shy John and should remain competitive from an unrevised mark.
Dan Skelton‘s mare Gaye Memories (4.15) struggled on her sole run over the winter on ground softer than ideal, however back on her preferred conditions she can claim a third career success under Bridget Andrews. The selection is just 3lb higher than when scoring last spring at Uttoxeter and she can claim further success with Andrews’ 5lb claim compensating for her rise at the weights.
The Skelton yard have an army of runners this afternoon including Mister Grez (12.30) in the opener at Chepstow, who should be able to defy a double-penalty under man of the moment Sean Bowen. The 5lb conditional enjoyed yet another stellar weekend guiding Virak to success at Haydock and the teenager, son of trainer Peter, looks to have a very promising future. Mister Grez likewise, who has been well-placed to score four times already this term and likely to make it five with the minimum of fuss.
Sean rides Just a Par for boss Paul Nicholls in the feature 3m Handicap Chase however Gevrey Chambertin (2.40) has an unblemished record in the grade and can score for David Pipe and Tom Scudamore. The 7-y-o undoubtedly has his quirks and won on his chase debut at Bangor despite throwing his toys out of the pram in the back straight. The form of his Newbury success, when beating a well-backed Kaki De La Pree, earlier this season is strong and he remains potentially well-handicapped on his fixed brush hurdle success at Haydock.
Viva Steve (2.55) can shed the maiden tag over fences at the belated sixth time of asking in a fascinating Novices’ Handicap Chase at Huntingdon. Mick Channon’s son of Flemensfirth was unfortunate to bump into one twice earlier in the campaign when chasing home Cloudy Bob and Shantou Magic in a brace of efforts at Market-Rasen but remains well-handicapped and can go one better under Brian Hughes.
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