Aintree Day One: Skelton to cement pole position

As the inaugural David Power Jockeys’ Cup draws to an end – with Harry Skelton in pole position to take home the £500,000 top prize – we take a look at the mounts of the leading riders on day one of Aintree’s Randox Grand National Festival with a possible 50 points up for grabs. 

1.45 – Ebc Group Manifesto Novices’ Chase 

Nico de Boinville rides Jango Baie who was second in a handicap hurdle at this meeting 12 months ago and has readily bettered that form over fences this term, staying on from an unpromising position to land the Arkle in the dying strides last month. This is a quick turnaround, but the longer trip will suit and he has leading claims of seeing off Leopardstown Grade 1 one-two Croke Park and Impaire Et Passe, who represents last year’s winning trainer/jockey combo. This flat track will suit Harry Cobden’s mount Rubaud, who beat Harry Skelton’s Boombawn last time, but both look up against it in this stronger race. 

2.25 – Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle 

A much bigger field than has often been the case in this juvenile contest, with Harry Skelton’s Live Conti heading the market having been saved for this race since impressing at Wetherby in February. He faces much tougher opposition here, however, including a formidable pair from the stable of Joseph O’Brien, led by Fred Winter winner Puturhandstogether. Harry Cobden rides outsider Aviemore who has been progressing well at a low level. He was a classy sort on the Flat so may have more to offer, though his best form has come on softer ground. 

2.55 – Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph Bowl Chase   

Grey Dawning is the best ride of the day for Jockeys’ Cup leader Harry Skelton. Though a beaten favourite at this meeting last year, the striking grey looked back to his best when successful at Kelso last month and deliberately skipped Cheltenham in favour of this assignment. The Harry Cobden-ridden Stage Star ran well when upped to this sort of trip when second to L’Homme Presse at Cheltenham in January and this venue could suit his bold-jumping front-running style. 

3.30 – William Hill Aintree Hurdle 

Easily the biggest race of the day for Nico de Boinville, who will be hoping that Constitution Hill can silence the doubters after his untimely fall in the Champion Hurdle last month. He won this race two years ago and with a clear round of jumping should have enough in hand to see off Lossiemouth, as he did over two miles at Kempton in December. Progressive handicapper Wodhooh looks next best, ahead of Take No Chances (Harry Skelton) who was nearly 10 lengths behind Lossiemouth in the Mares’ Hurdle last time out. 

4.40 – Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase 

Sans Bruit made all in this race 12 months ago from the same handicap mark and although Bryony Frost is staying in France rather than returning for the ride, Harry Cobden will have his eyes on repeating the feat. The strong-travelling Calico (Harry Skelton) should relish the good ground and likely strong pace, while Sam Twiston-Davies‘ sole ITV ride of the day comes on the progressive Rah Gaul Hill who has impressed this season. If he handles the quicker ground, then a big performance looks on the cards off his feather weight. 

Verdict

Though Nico de Boinville has arguably the best chance of the day on Constitution Hill, Harry Skelton and Harry Cobden both look to have much stronger books of rides – the story of the competition so far, really. Marginal preference is for Skelton who should pick up more placed points than his rival and he is fancied to all-but-secure the David Power Jockeys’ Cup title.