The pick of the prices on Day 2 at Aintree....

Thursday, 3rd April 2025

The pick of the prices on Day 2 at Aintree….

Selections for this afternoon at Aintree….

In ATC today….

…. I swing the bat in all the big handicaps on Day 2 at Aintree….

The Topham Chase is the feature handicap….

…. the off time is 4.05….

…. and my pick of the prices is EXCELLO at 14s….

I’m also on WELLINGTON ARCH in the 2.20 – he’s up at 16s….

…. and I’m on GRIMAUD in the 5.15– he’s up at 16s & 14s….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below…. 

Read on….

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I’m having a proper swing of the bat in tomorrow’s Topham (4.05) and backing Nicky Henderson’s EXCELLO at the 14s….

He was rated 146 after winning a 3-runner graduation chase at Ascot at the end of 2023….

…. a 13lb rise that was an overreaction – and a mark that was a bit beyond him….

He was unable to justify favouritism in a decent Cheltenham handicap next time out – and he pulled up in the Ultima the time after that….

He’s been over hurdles this term – without setting the world alight – and he was only returned to fences last time at Sandown….

…. and on the face of it he disappointed – finishing fourth of six runners….

But that was over 3m, and he ran well and went deep – until losing three places on the run in….

On that evidence he doesn’t get the longer trip, and the step back tomorrow will suit him down to the ground….

He jumped well at Sandown, he likes decent ground, and he’s surely handicapped to go close on a mark of just 132….

Henderson applies cheekpieces – headgear with which he operates at 20% first-time up....

…. Nico De Boinville is really boiling down to make the weight….

…. and I see this grey putting in a much bolder showing than his price suggests….

In the William Hill Handicap Hurdle (2.20) it broke down to a choice between Jonjo O’Neill’s runners….

Wreckless Eric was unlucky in the Imperial Cup last time out and – and if he’s suited to the step up in trip tomorrow – he can figure at the 10s….

But – in the end – I’ve gone with the price and I’m backing WELLINGTON ARCH at the 16s….

He’s taking a step up in class and he’s got to prove he can handle the heat – especially after getting beaten at Uttoxeter last time out….

…. but he ran into an exceptionally well-handicapped rival that day on his first go at the intermediate trip on handicap debut….

He’s only up 3lb, I think he’s well-handicapped on that revised mark of 123, and there’s much more to come yet….

The spring has been earmarked as his time to shine – I think he’ll very much appreciate the drying ground….

…. and he can outrun a decent price….

There are quite a few unexposed types in the Hallgarten and Novum Wines Handicap Hurdle (5.15)….

…. and any or all of them could turn out to be very well handicapped – the likes of Diamonds for Luck, Moon Chime & Jack Hyde, for example….

One that stands out at a decent price is GRIMAUD for Gordon Elliott – up at 16s & 14s….

He’s only won a maiden – but he did it in fine style on ground that was plenty soft enough….

…. and an opening mark of 123 – which he’s going to prove a fair bit better than – it’s easy to envisage him running a big race on better ground….

This is the kind of contest that Elliott might be expected to throw multiple darts at – but he just sends the one this time….

…. and I reckon that’s a pointer in and of itself….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back tomorrow with my selections for Day 3 at Aintree….

Meantime – contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk  

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd