Supasundae could make it a super Thursday at Aintree
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Tips for the opening day’s races
The 2018 Grand National Festival gets underway today at Aintree with some exciting races lined up.
There are three Grade 1 renewals to get stuck into, including the Bowl Chase and the Aintree Hurdle.
Various stars like Gold Cup runner-up Might Bite and Brain Power are involved. The Coral News Team pick out three of the key races and provide some tips.
Supasundae a class above
The Aintree Hurdle at 3:25 looks a relatively exciting renewal with the likes of The New One, My Tent Or Yours and L’Ami Serge all included.
But it’s John Harrington’s Supasundae that looks the best bet of the lot. The eight-year-old has had a good season, winning the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown back in February.
He followed that up with an impressive second to Penhill in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham a month later. He finished miles ahead of both The New One and L’Ami Serge in the latter.
The cut in the ground shouldn’t be an issue. The only question is whether he could be a little drained. Either way, he looks a class above the rest of the field.
Anyone but Might Bite?
Might Bite looks nailed onto win the Bowl Chase. It would probably prove fruitless to oppose Nicky Henderson’s star charge. But could there be value in the betting without?
Bristol De Mai and Definitly Red were both heralded at the start of the season but their form has tailed off in recent months.
However, Tom George’s Double Shuffle hasn’t raced since finishing second to Might Bite in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day. He was only beaten by a length that day and if he runs anywhere close to that level he’s a serious player here.
Brain Power to star in Footpad’s absence
With connections pulling Footpad, an opportunity has opened up for Brain Power to cement his position as best of the rest in the Mildmay Novices’ Hurdle.
The seven-year-old was well-beaten by Willie Mullins’ charge in the Arkle. But Nicky Henderson has high hopes for him here.
Cyrname and Finian’s Oscar are likely to present the greatest challenges but neither raced well at Prestbury Park.
The step up in trip to 2m 4f might present a bit of an issue but his class should tell out in what’s a slightly tricky-looking renewal.
ITV Racing Tips:
1:45 Aintree- Brain Power
2:20 Aintree – We Have A Dream
2:50 Aintree – Might Bite
3:25 Aintree – Supasundae
4:05 Aintree – Unioniste e/w
4:45 Aintree – Robinshill e/w
5:15 Aintree – Meep Meep e/w
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
