THERE is rarely a time when a Sir Alex Ferguson victory is celebrated on Merseyside. But WHAT A FRIEND may change that by landing the totesport Bowl (3.10pm) on the opening day of the John Smith’s Grand National meeting.
While totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander will be popular with punters to follow up at Aintree it may pay to back against him.
This extended 3m1f Grade One contest over the Mildmay fences usually favours those not involved in the Festival blue riband and What A Friend can benefit from missing it.
The seven-year-old looked a horse on the up when second to Denman in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury. He proved that when landing the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.
Paul Nicholls’ charge has had this as a key target and is fresh and well. He should be able to give his co-owner, Manchester United manager Ferguson, a boost after a tough week. For once Liverpool punters may be on his side.
Nicholls may already have bagged the opening two contests by then.
BIG BUCK’S looks unopposable in his bid for back-to-back John Smith’s Liverpool Hurdle (2pm) victories.
The seven-year-old is unbeaten over hurdles in seven races and seems to be getting better and better. He won this last year after landing the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham. And after contemptuously swatting aside the field to win for the second time in the stayers hurdle last month, it is hard to see him not completing another double. Peter Bowen’s Souffleur can chase him home.
Nicholls, surprisingly, only had two winners at Cheltenham. His other winner at Prestbury Park, SANCTUAIRE, can also take the Matalan 4-Y-O Anniversary Hurdle (2.35pm).
He is tackling Grade One company for the first time, but he was an impressive winner of the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. He can take the step up in grade and win again.
The John Smith’s Fox Hunters’ Chase (3.45pm) is the first over the Grand National fences of the meeting. It is looked on as the amateur riders’ National and was won by TRUST FUND for Aintree chairman Lord Daresbury and ridden by son Tom Greenall last year.
The 12-year-old was entered in the Grand National, but was too far down the handicap to get in. That might be a blessing in disguise. With his liking for the big fencesTrust Fund can land back-to-back victories under Lord Daresbury’s other son Oliver.
In the Alder Hey Imagine Appeal Red Rum Handicap (4.20pm) PIGEON ISLAND may be capable of following up his Grand Annual win at Cheltenham.
SOMERSBY can win the totepool Manifesto Novices’ Chase (4.55pm), while course winner HONEST JOHN can win the final race, the Silvercross Handicap Hurdle (5.30pm).
AINTREE DAY ONE PREDICTIONS: 2pm Big Buck’s; 2.35pm Sanctuaire; 3.10pm (totesport Bowl) What A Friend 3.45pm Trust Fund; 4.20pm Pigeon Island; 4.55pm Somersby; 5.30pm Honest John (NAP).
