Aintree selections Saturday 11th April
The final day at Aintree and of course everything is centred around the National at 4pm. I have two against the field for the big race. Day two went well with a 1-2 in the Topham with Will The Wise (9/1) beating Ile Atlantique who also collected for the each-way (advised 7/1). Regents Stroll was also placed each-way (advised 11/2).
Aintree 4.00: Monty’s Star & Captain Cody
The Irish challenge looks as strong as ever this year and they can take their winning record to eight from the last ten runnings with one of my two selections.
First choice is MONTY’S STAR who falls just below genuine grade 1 class, but is weighted accordingly to win a big handicap such as this. This horse is seriously stamina laden, winning a 3m novice hurdle on heavy ground at Clonmel, but this is his first chance to run in a marathon contest.
He chased home some top chasers in 2024, finishing second to Fact to File at Cheltenham and then to Spillanes Tower at Punchestown. He was a fair fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last season too. Admittedly he was disappointing on his only attempt in handicap company at Newbury in the autumn, but that was his first start of the campaign and that track probably places too much emphasis on speed for him.
His two runs in Grade 1’s at Leopardstown since were very solid efforts and the way he finished off in the Savills over Christmas suggests to me he will be a big player at this extended distance. He was probably made too much use of in the Irish Gold Cup, but getting a few pounds off the top weights here looks an excellent bonus.
CAPTAIN CODY was mighty impressive when winning the Scottish National last season and provided there is not too much rain he can produce another strong finishing burst here on this long run-in. He was a good third to Romeo Coolio in a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse in the autumn and was not beaten too far in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown over Christmas.
He has not been at his best on his last two starts on heavy going, but conditions should be far more to his liking today. Whilst his jumping is not the best, Aintree is not the formidable challenge it once was and look for him sneaking through the field as the race goes on.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – Montys Star – 4.0 Aintree – 12/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 6)
1pt each-way – Captain Cody – 4.0 Aintree – 16/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 6)
