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FRIDAY
We preview every single race of Friday's action as we tackle day two of Aintree's premier meeting.
13:45
Gavin Cromwell's Inothewayurthinkin absolutely demolished his opposition in the Kim Muir and seemed to relish the longer trip. Sticking over 3 miles or further today he deserves another crack at this level and if his Cheltenham exploits haven't left a mark he'll be hard to beat.
Chianti Classico is another festival victor who deserves plenty of respect and should make the top three.
Former course winners Broadway Boy and Giovinco shouldn't be readily ignored.
Iroko was a tad disappointing at Cheltenham but should finish closer this afternoon.
We can't not mention Henry De Bromhead's improver Heart Wood who, if continuing their progress, could also play a part.
It may only be a six-runner contest but ruling any out would be foolish however I'm swayed to side with the favourite.
14:20
Paul Nicholls scooped up a prize on day one with a lightly raced contender and he could do so again here in the second race of day two. Inthewaterside has a course and distance win to his name and is off a very attractive mark now returning to handicap company. A consistent type with a solid each-way chance.
What's Up Darling wasn't far away when 6th in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham and the form of that race could turn out to be a little bit special. In what may be a weaker race he could finish even closer, especially on what may be slightly better ground.
14:55
The spectacularly bred Mystical Power went mightily close at Cheltenham last month and in this weaker contest should return to the winners enclosure. Hard to look elsewhere on the hunt for a winner.
If you want to avoid the favourite and look for an alternative angle then Dysart Enos, who missed Cheltenham and therefore could be a bit fitter, is a former course winner (won the Grade 2 bumper at this meeting last year) and shouldn't be far from the head of the field come the finish line.
15:30
If he stays the extra half a mile then Jonbon should take all the beating but that's a big question to answer and with a degree of uncertainty over this distance we're fprced to look elsewhere.
Protektorat was somewhat of a surprise winner of the Ryan Air but it's hard to crib Dan Skelton's charge who always runs his race and looks likely to make the frame once again.
With Paul Nicholls seemingly got his horses primed and ready for this meeting Pic D'Orhy might be the way to go. Another who may feel the benefit of avoiding the festival and should be too good for the majority of this field even if he fails to finish with his head in front.
16:05
Francky Du Berlais finished 4th in this contest back in 2021 and although he's at the ripe old age of 11 he's got a trainer in his corner who's won this race a total of five previous times. He's always managed to finish in three previous efforts over this unique course and having shown promise in cross-country events this season may go well off a decent mark.
Your Darling hasn't been seen since winning at Ascot back in November but don't let an absence from the course put you off. He's a sound jumper who, if he takes to these obstacles, can win after a lengthy break once again.
Hailing from the powerhouse yard of Nicky Henderson Fantastic Lady cannot be ignored. She claimed the runners-up spot in this race last year and has taken well to the national circuit in the past. May be a tad high in the weights but could finish in the money.
16:40
Although perhaps a tad unfair on Albert Bartlett contenders The Jukebox Man and Dancing City I simply can't look past Willie Mullins first string Readin Tommy Wong and Nicky Henderson's Shanagh Bob.
Representing the same connections as yesterday's winner Sir Gino, Shanagh Bob also had to be pulled from last months Cheltenham exploits. If he can emulate Sir Gino and in-fact benefit from his March absence then he could keep his 100% record intact.
Although he was bitterly disappointing at the festival Readin Tommy Wrong surely has to fair far better. His last effort was too poor to be true and if it hasn't had any lasting effects shouldn't have to wait too long until he returns to the winners enclosre.
With the odds on both these runners finishing in the top-three paying around 2/1 it's worth a punt.
17:15
Although the UK have plenty of runners with lively chances in the last I'm siding with a duo of Irish raiders.
Brucio was well fancied when being brought down in a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Kelso. Now back in handicap company he seems a horse who's on a steep upward trajectory and could still have an abundance of room to progress.
Although Gordon Elliott isn't having the stellar season we're used to seeing him have he's still more than capable of picking up success on the biggest stage. (Gerri Colombe won yesterday) He's set to saddle Ted Hastings who well here over the extended 2m4f back in December. With just the three starts this season he's not had as tough a campaign as many of today's rivals and that could play a telling part in the outcome. With the ground still expected to be soft I don't think a drop in trip is going to have a huge adverse affect and as long as he isn't left too far back could be passing beaten horses on the run in.
