Abbeybraney to return from long break to conquer Aintree
Firstly I would like to extend a big thank you to www.headersandvolleys.co.uk for an excellent portrayal of my bucket list. The list is up in its entirety, get involved and comment on what things in football you would like to do before you die.
This weekend there is a massive scoop 6 up for grabs so I will put up my speculative selections for those big races and for 2 quid you could be a millionaire, although don’t copy them as I don’t really want to be splitting the million pound pot out! Aside from that the two big races are the Tingle Creek at Sandown and the Becher Chase at Aintree. The Tingle Creek is usually a decent guide to the credentials of the Queen Mother challengers, with the champ himself, Sizing Europe on show. I am happy to take him on however with Kauto Stone. The Paul Nicholls trained half brother of stable superstar Kauto Star has made a very strong impression in his last few starts and although he will need to improve again from his run at Down Royal I think he has a real chance. Sadly second favourite Tataniano has pulled out with injury causing Kauto Stone’s odds to be slashed to 7/2 from 6/1. I am happy to have backed him each way at 7′s earlier in the week and now at the current price it looks a little skinny. My advice would probably be to leave it alone, however Sizing Europe’s winning record is not great and he was beaten last time out so if you do fancy a go in the tingle creek Kauto Stone may be the horse to lower the champs colours.
In the Becher Chase at Aintree we see the other big race of the day over the national fences and it proves to be a cracker. Tough jumping and a real stamina test, the Becher chase is the first seasonal reminder of the joys of racing over the national fences. Hello Bud last years winner is only 3lb worse off than last year and after a good prep run at Wincanton comes here in good form. I am going to have a saver on him. He is gutsy, reliable and goes really well over these fences illustrated by his 5th in the national as well as his victory in this last year. At 10-1 the 14 year may be ageing but could still be good enough. He is however not my main selection. Earlier in the week I backed Abbeybraney at 25-1. That price is long gone, however there doesn’t seem to be too much hype about him and his obvious doubts due to his long absence mean it is difficult to see his odds being reduced much more than the 14-1 currently being quoted. Waiting til tomorrow may be prudent to get the best price. Abbeybraney himself is a very promising horse who has had some excellent runs and more to the point not that many of them in total. He has only graced the course 20 times which for a ten year old is lightly raced and he could be open to a lot of improvement running off a much lower mark than he was when last seen on the track over 500 days ago. His absence is obviously a concern but he has had some support in the markets, is in the capable hands of new trainer Nicky Richards and has in my opinion one of the brightest talents in jump racing Aiden Coleman on board. I have been mightily impressed with Colemans’s ridng over the last few years – primarily because he has ridden me 3 winners priced 20-1 or bigger. Lets hope Abbeybraney can make it 4!
Advice
Kauto Stone - Best morning price to win the Tingle Creek @ Sandown
Abbeybraney – Best morning price E/W in the Becher Chase @ Aintree
Hello Bud @ 10-1 general E/W in the Becher Chase @ Aintree
Scoop 6
Leg 1 – Drumbaloo
Leg 2 – Abbeybraney
Leg 3 – Rajdhani Express
Leg 4 – Kauto Stone
Leg 5 – Frankie Figg
Leg 6 – Meanus Dandy
SL
