1.30 – This year’s opener looks like an open event and almost certainly hinges on Facile Vega and his well being. For me, he is too short at his current price to take a chance on and defy an overwhelming stat that 14 of the last 16 winners have won their last start. Providing not much rain gets into the ground I think MARINE NATIONALE has a fantastic chance having been trained for the race since his win in the Royal Bond. The emphasis on speed will really suit this fellow and if you can catch some 5/1 I think he is solid each way value. If you fancy a punt at a bigger price I think FENNOR CROSS could be set for a big run. He has two course and distance wins to his name and could represent decent value.
2.10 – This looks like a two horse race between El Fabiolo and JONBON and I prefer the latter. He has looked like the more natural chaser of the two at this stage and I know you could argue El Fabiolo has good reason to reverse the Aintree form from last season but I think there is stronger reason to believe that Jonbon should beat him further. Jonbon had a hard race at Cheltenham last season before going to Aintree whereas El Fabiolo came there fresh and still couldn’t get past. I think Jonbon’s jumping will give him the upper hand here and I think he is the one to be on.
2.50 – I’m not sure if this is the strongest renewal of the Ultima and it does look wide open. I quite like last year’s winner Corach Rambler but he does have to improve again and is probably getting tuned up for Aintree so narrow preference is for INTO OVERDRIVE who has been a revelation this season. Mark Walford’s charge has the best form in the book arguably having finished second to L’Homme Presse and then going on to win the Rowland Meyrick at Christmas. If you listen to some of the shrewd judges they fancy this lad strongly and I do too but I do have one slight concern over the ground. If it got very testing I would worry but as long as it’s half decent I think he has a huge chance.
3.30 – No bet. Just enjoy CONSTITUTION HILL.
4.10 – One of the most open Mares Hurdles I have seen in a long time and it could really go to anyone. Marie’s Rock is a worthy favourite and Honeysuckle is obviously the class horse of the race but I quite like two unexposed mares. BRANDY LOVE blitzed a good field at Fairyhouse last year and put in an encouraging display on her return last time out. I drew a lot of positives from that and think that will put her spot on for this race which I imagine has been her target for a long time. Again if the ground came up testing I would probably switch allegiances to the horse she beat at Fairyhouse last year, LOVE ENVOI. She has done nothing wrong in all starts to date and looks to have that touch of class. She should appreciate softer ground and would be a big winner for the Harry Fry yard.
4.50 – I think TEKAO could be the way to go here. Willie Mullins horse has looked pretty smart so far this season but hasn’t quite lived up to top Irish juveniles so runs here in a handicap. He certainly looks like a graded horse however and I will be amazed if he isn’t better than a mark of 135. If JP or Willie have a good day I can see him going off really short. A value play could be ROMANCERO LE DUN for the Jane Williams yard who has a decent record in the race. He was a gutsy winner at Ludlow last time and connections have put him away for this since perhaps suggesting they think his mark is a lenient one. As I write this I can see some 40/1 6 places which looks plenty good enough to me.
5.30 – The last race of the day could all be about GAILLARD DU MESNIL who looks to be the best of these by some distance. His form is the best in the book and I would be surprised if anything gets past him here. I quietly fancy him for the Grand National this year so if he is to go close in that he should be winning this.
