“He’s a big player on the pick of his form, but Min was very disappointing given he had the race run to suit in the Champion Chase, and he won’t be placed unless he leaves that lifeless performance behind him.”
Rory Delargy looks to bounce back from a tough opening day at Aintree with three bets for Day 2.
14:20 – Betway Top Novices’ Hurdle
The two-mile division looks very open, and plenty have a chance here, although I think Itchy Feet could be vulnerable. He ran a cracker to be third in the Supreme, but he did his best work late when others had begun to tire, and he may be flattered as a result. Of more concern is that he was reported to have bled there, and while it didn’t adversely affect him on the day, such problems tend to get worse rather than better, and if he suffers a repeat here, he will clearly struggle.
At odds-on for a place, we can take him on with plenty close to him in the ratings.
I would argue that Aramon shaped just as well as he did at Cheltenham, and I would be inclined to back the Mullins runner in a match, should one be offered.
14:50 – Betway Mildmay Novices Chase
The market has this just about right, but while Topofthegame is hard to oppose at first glance, the one obvious danger to him is Lostintranslation, who has been crying out for a step up in trip all season and will make the favourite pull out all the stops.
I would still make the RSA hero the likelier winner on balance, but the market has them a fair bit further apart than I would, and the bold-jumping Lostintranslation is a bet at the current odds, with the possibility he might get a little bigger.
15:25 – JLT (Melling) Chase
Min would be a big player at his peak, but he was a bitter disappointment when behind Politologue in the Champion Chase, and he’s much too close to that rival, who has looked better at this track in the past, in the betting.
Given Politologue tends to run below form at Cheltenham, I thought he put up a tremendous performance to give Altior a fright last month, whereas Min had plenty go his way, but offered very little resistance, albeit with his rider not knocking him about.
With Waiting Patiently a big player as well, Min looks much too short, and won’t be placed if he runs like he did at Prestbury Park.
Recommended Bets
- Place Lay Itchy Feet to win 20pts @ 1.8 or shorter [max liability 16pts]
- Back Lostintranslation to win @ 4.6 or bigger for 10pts [to win a minimum of 36pts]
- Place Lay Min @ 2.1 or shorter to win 10pts [max liability 11pts]
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