I think it will take a blast from the past to stop PROTEKTORAT winning the Betway Bowl this afternoon. Dan Skelton‘s charge was the best of the British in the Gold Cup and I think he might fare better here at a course which he has enjoyed so much success already. A lot of these are on the downgrade and arguably he is the only one with scope to improve so I do fancy him to do the business today.
The Foxhunters Chase is an open race and I fancy two in the race. PONT AVEN will be suited to the drop in trip after fading turning in at Cheltenham. A high class handicapper for Willie Mullins just last year has age on his side and could be dangerous if getting into a rhythm. My other selection has a good record around Aintree but unseated his rider at the first in this last year and that’s DASHING PERK. Dr Richard Newland’s horse looks primed for a bold showing and if granted a bit of luck I think he will go well at a fancy price.
It was hard not to be impressed with FRERO BANBOU’s effort in the Grand Annual last time out. Detached heading out into the back he crept his way into the race and if he didn’t walk through the last it would have been interesting to see how close he would have finished to the winner. That wasn’t his first eye catching run this season and I think compensation may await here.
The bumper doesn’t look a vintage renewal and although I have plenty of respect for the favourite Rosy Redrum, at that price I can watch her win. I’m more interested in ILOVETHENIGHTLIFE who shaped well on debut at Ascot only to be caught out by inexperience and heavy ground. If she can travel like that here I don’t think she’s a 100/1 shot.
Another I like is RIVER OF JOY who is out of a previous winner of this race. Peter Bowen trained her to victory and has since enjoyed more success in this race so I think it’s quite telling he puts her in this race as he isn’t a trainer naturally associated with classy bumper horses. She stayed on powerfully at Chepstow and if able to put that experience to good use I think she is a big player here.
Aintree 2.55 – Protektorat
Aintree 4.05 – Pont Aven / Dashing Perk
Aintree 4.40 – Frero Banbou
Aintree 5.15 – Ilovethenightlife / River Of Joy
