Friday 14th April 2023

 


14:20 Aintree

It's been a long time since we saw MARTELLO SKY in handicap company, since December 2021 to be exact - when she won by a neck off a mark of 140. She probably won that more comfortably than that winning margin suggests, she travelled very strongly into the race and hit the front too soon - after idling in front as soon as rival joined her she pulled away again in the closing stages. Since that day she has been campaigned only in listed and graded contests and this drop back into handicap company could prove a smart move. She ran well to finish 2nd in a listed contest on seasonal debut at Wetherby and most recently she was seen behind Epatante at Doncaster over an inadequate two mile trip, but she stuck to her task well that day and now finds herself down to a mark of 137. The booking of Rachael Blackmore catches the eye and at 25/1 she looks worth a small each-way play.

MARTELLO SKY 25/1 - 0.5 Points Each-Way (firms paying 6 places)


16:05 Aintree

The price of this is collapsing as I type but at around 14/1 I think EQUUS DANCER is worth an each-way play with six places widely available. Peter Bowen has an excellent record in this race, having been responsible for five winners since 2007. This horse has a very good strike rate winning 4 of his 8 chase starts, with two of those defeats coming 3 miles which stretches his stamina too far. In fact, the son of Jeremy's only defeat over this sort of trip came in heavy ground at Chepstow. He is only 5lb higher than his most recent handicap chase win and comes here off the back of a hurdles win at Uttoxeter earlier this month. He doesn't have any experience of these fences but this yard clearly know what it takes to get around here, so I think an each-way play is worthwhile despite the lack of course form.

EQUUS DANCER 14/1 - 1 Point Each-Way (firms paying 6 places)



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