Saturday
HARBOUR LAKE certainly deserves to get his head in front in a race like the 1.30 at Aintree tomorrow, I just hope he’s fit enough to do so as it looks like a great opportunity.
Alan King‘s hurdler finished placed in a couple of competitive 3m handicaps at the back end of last season, the form of which is working out well, and he remains on a handy looking mark of 129.
The form in the book suggests he is the best of these at the present moment so hopefully King has him tuned up as his current price of 9/2 looks more than fair.
Smaller field
The Grand Sefton is a smaller field than usual but it certainly doesn’t lack for competition.
I am quite keen on LATENIGHTPASS who has shown a liking for these fences on multiple occasions.
He won the Foxhunters Chase here in 2022 before finishing 4th in the same race a year on whilst also finishing second in 2021.
He has since embarked on a career in Cross Country races and a foret into handicaps under rules which led to a tilt at the National in April.
Tied up badly
He gave Gina Andrews a great spin around and led, just, going into the last fence. He tied up badly on the run in but his performance up until then was first class.
A repeat of that run over this shorter trip will see him bang there.
The Badger Beer at Wincanton looks open this year and I’m not sure the bookies have got it right at the moment.
Al Dancer catches my eye at the top but an inexperienced rider puts me off so I will stick with FORWARD PLAN who I hope is forward enough to play a part here.
Progressive horse
A progressive horse last season he won a hot Kempton handicap before finishing a good third at Aintree.
The form of both races is strong and represents a lot more than what some of the market leaders have achieved so at 12/1 he will be carrying my money.
Aintree 1.30 – Harbour Lake
Aintree 2.40 – Latenightpass
Wincanton 3.30 – Forward Plan
