'Dodgy Jumpers Can Stay At Home' Blog & Updates - Aintree Day 1 (12 April)

The first day of the Aintree Festival  and I shall be looking for 'horses for courses', proven jumpers and horses who either didn't turn up to Cheltenham this year or weren't given a hard time there if they did (I can forgive a horse who may have pulled up as they could well have been looked after for Aintree).  


I have come to the conclusion that although a good horse may perform equally well at both Cheltenham and Aintree but NOT within a month of each other.....I still haven't forgiven Oscar Whisky for his annihilation of (my favourite horse) Peddler's Cross.  As for horses who are dodgy jumpers (why does Giles Brandreth always spring to mind when I hear that phrase?) then they may as well stay at home!  


Big Bucks must surely be the banker of the day meeting (special concession  - above notes don't apply as he is not a mere horse but a monster hurdling machine!).  The enjoyment of watching him racing without one second of worry or concern about his jumping is one of life's pleasures.  Some may argue that he had to work a bit harder than he has in recent months/years at the Festival this year to beat Voler La Vedette but that's insulting the runner up who ran a brave (and career best race) and also the rest of the field, who were top quality opposition.  Big Bucks will always do just enough and Ruby knows him so well that he is always aware of what there is left in the tank and when to press the button.


PaddyPower are refunding bets if second to Riverside Theatre in the Aintree BetFred Bowl at 15:05 ....what does this tell us?  Well, he did have a hard won race at the Festival and he isn't Big Bucks!

A couple of my trackers emails have come through this morning so I'll share the one that has a chance!  Fidelor was heavily backed exactly a week ago for a Hereford Class 4 20f Hurdle ( G/S, G) and was a late NR.  He's running today at Newton Abbot in the 16:40 which is a class 4 19f hurdle on good ground and I think he's worth an each way before the price is gone. The other is Lyvius in the 14:30 (jury's out!)


I can see Ruby/Nicholls having a good day today. Paul Nicholls has left the ides of March well behind him and is now churning out winners at a rate of 56% over the past fortnight!


Only the one winner today (wasn't hard to find!) but I feel sure this would have been two if Folkestone had managed to run their card!  Loss of -8.75 unfortunately :(

	Aintree	First Choice	E/W or Forecast Choice
1	14:00	Big Bucks 1st
2	14:30	Countrywide Flame 2nd
3	15:05	What A Friend UP	Nacarat (EW) UP
4	15:40	Boxer Georg (EW) UP
5	16:15	Takeroc (EW)  UP

Notes:

1/            Big Bucks at 1.20 (1/5) isn’t going to make anyone rich but 20% is a hell of a lot better return than the banks interest!

	Newton Abbot	First Choice	E/W or Forecast Choice
1	16:40	Fidelor 2nd

	Folkestone	First Choice	E/W or Forecast Choice
1	17:05	Sherman McCoy Ab

I'll keep adding through the morning (incl Aintree) as I conclude each race - much thinking and pondering in progress................