Soft Ground Sets The Stage At Aintree
Right then, punters, we're off to Aintree this Friday afternoon where the going is officially soft after yesterday's drying spell, though don't be fooled – with 8mm of rain forecast, we'll be back to proper squelchy conditions before you can say 'where's me wellies'. This is grand news for the mud-lovers and a proper test of stamina over the longer trips.
Six races on the Aintree racecard today, ranging from a cosy three-runner chase to a competitive dozen in the maiden hurdle. The feature race is the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Guide Handicap Chase at 14:20, though with just three runners it's more of a match than a proper betting heat. Still, quality over quantity and all that.
Feature Race: Walking On A Dream To Shine
The 2m 4f chase at 14:20 might only have three runners, but it's a proper contest nonetheless. Walking On A Dream is the class act here, rated 112 and with Jack Power doing the steering for the Lucinda Russell yard. This seven-year-old has course form in the locker and at this trip, he's got the stamina to see out the soft ground test.
His stablemate Heads Or Harps is no mug either – Derek Fox takes the ride on the nine-year-old who's rated just 2lb lower. The experience factor could count for plenty here, and Fox knows his way around Aintree better than most. Don't write off the veteran.
Jirko completes the field but is significantly outclassed on ratings. Bruce Lynn will need to pull a rabbit out of the hat, but stranger things have happened when the ground gets testing.
Mares' Novice Hurdle: La Zoubida The Standout
The 14:50 mares' novice hurdle over 2m 4f looks more competitive with six runners, and La Zoubida stands out like a sore thumb. Rated 117 with Sean Quinlan up, she's got both course and distance form – that's gold dust in these conditions.
Roses All The Way brings solid credentials with Brian Hughes in the saddle. The champion jockey's booking tells you everything you need to know about Donald McCain's confidence in this seven-year-old. At 109, she's the second-highest rated in the field and Hughes rarely gets these big-field tactics wrong.
The unrated runners make this an interesting puzzle, but when the ground gets soft and the trip extends, class usually tells. La Zoubida gets the nod, but don't ignore Hughes and his mount.
Maiden Hurdle Mayhem
Twelve runners in the 15:20 maiden hurdle over two miles – now we're talking! This is where the real punting fun begins. Lance Les Des brings a rating of 107 to the party, making him the form pick, but in maidens like this, it's often about potential rather than past performance.
Walk On Son is another with a rating (102) and has Derek Fox aboard for the Russell team. The booking suggests confidence, and Fox's record at this track speaks for itself.
Keep an eye on Minutes To Spare – Brian Hughes again, and Donald McCain's five-year-old could be anything. In soft ground maidens, it's often the unexposed types that spring surprises, and Hughes doesn't take rides like this for the craic.
The Marathon Test
The final race at 16:53 is a proper stamina slog over 3m 20y – a Scottish Grand National qualifier no less. Good Work is the highest-rated at 96, but at ten years old, you'd want to see some recent form to get excited.
Torosay has distance form and is trained by Russell, who's having a grand day with multiple runners across the card. The eight-year-old looks the type to relish the soft ground marathon, and at 92, he's not overburdened by his rating.
Tom's Friday Picks
Right, here's where I put my neck on the line:
Best Bet: La Zoubida (14:50) – Class, course form, and Sean Quinlan. What more do you want?
Each-Way Special: Minutes To Spare (15:20) – Brian Hughes doesn't take maiden hurdle rides for the fun of it.
Longshot: Torosay (16:53) – Soft ground specialist in the marathon finale.
The soft ground is the story of the day, so back the mudlarks and avoid anything that needs fast ground to show its best. Aintree in these conditions sorts the wheat from the chaff, and today should be no different. Sláinte!
