10.50am Champion hurdler Annie Power returns at Aintree
Tony Paley: Annie Power, the first mare in 22 years to win the Champion Hurdle at last month’s Cheltenham Festival, returns to action three weeks later on the opening day of the Grand National meeting after being confirmed among the six runners in Thursday’s Aintree Hurdle.
The Willie Mullins-trained mare is reopposed by the second, third and fourth at Cheltenham in Nicky Henderson’s My Tent Or Yours, her stable companion Nichols Canyon and the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained The New One, winner of this prize in 2014.
Champion Hurdle ninth Camping Ground and Court Minstrel from the Evan Williams’ yard complete the field.
Tuesday’s best bets, by Chris Cook
I do like a bit of Pontefract in the spring-time but it’s a pity to see heavy going as racing resumes there today - so heavy, in fact, that the course has had to pass an inspection this morning. Speed will evidently be in short supply.
James Eustace had a big-priced winner on this card last year and he’s made a respectable start to 2016, so I can see him having the first two winners. Ice Slice (2.00) has two wins to his name, both at today’s distance and on ground with plenty of cut. Judging by his 2015, this reappearance run might be the time to catch him, though he’s shorter in the betting than I expected at about 7-2.
In the following maiden, Eustace runs Folly Bergere (2.35), who was unfancied for her debut in October at Newmarket but stayed on nicely to be third of nine. She should relish the extra three furlongs today and should be on offer at about 5-1 for this six-runner race.
Pontefract can be a good place to bounce out of the stalls, grab the lead against the inside rail and make all. Reflektor (3.10) appeals to me as a horse who could do just that in the sprint handicap, having made all to land a soft-ground maiden when last seen in October. He’s 6-1.
The nap goes at Ludlow, where Drumlee Lad (4.35) may be able to build on his last-time success, even though he now has a stiffer mark in a tougher race. He was in danger of becoming disappointing but came good after a switch to a new yard and ought to have more to offer at 5-1.
Skybet Grand National tipping competition, day two
Our winners so far:
Monday
Draytonian 8-1
Dadsintrouble 20-1
Mustmeetalady 8-1
And our leader is:
cornsay +27
… who had Draytonian AND Dadsintrouble. Bonzodrong (+18) was the only other to find the 20-1 winner. Thirteen of you had one or other of the 8-1 shots and now share third place on +6.
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 3.10 Pontefract, 3.45 Pontefract, 4.35 Ludlow.
This week’s prize, kindly offered by Skybet, is arguably more exciting still! It’s a £100 bet on this week’s Grand National!
As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers. If you have not joined in so far this week, you are welcome to do so today but you will start on -3.
In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
