A 16-1 shot for Aintree on Thursday and a long shot for the bet365 Gold Cup too
Jumps season 2021-2 “max bets” 47 & 48
It’s always frustrating for ante-post punters when connections change their intended big-race target for their horse – but they are entitled to do just that, of course.
Earlier in the season, trainer Donald McCain had indicated that he wanted Gaelik Coast to tackle the Grand National fences and so the Topham Chase this Friday looked the perfect target.
Now, however, I understand there has been a change of heart and the horse is much more likely to line up for the Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase on Thursday.
I am not deserting McCain’s lightly-raced eight-year-old gelding even though he ran poorly in this very race last year and has looked better suited to a longer distance.
I think after a wind op GAELIK COAST is a better horse now. Back him each way at 16-1 for the Red Rum Chase over the shorter trip of two miles, with regular jockey Brian Hughes in the saddle.
The good news for followers of this newsletter is that I intend to put out a second bulletin later this week - probably on Thursday morning – which will preview Saturday’s Randox Grand National and other betting opportunities on the superb three-day Aintree card.
For now, however, I am going to suggest a longer-term wager in the bet365 Gold Gup on April 23. Several of the staying handicappers that fought out the thrilling finish of the race last year are likely to run again and all of them would have a sound chance.
But I am going to go for one at a price and suggest a bet on HEWICK each way at 33-1. He had been in line for a run in the Coral Scottish Grand National last Saturday, but connections have apparently decided to wait for Sandown instead.
The bet365 Gold Cup – that’s the former Whitbread Gold Cup – over three miles five furlongs should be perfect for Irish trainer “Shark” Hanlon’s bargain-buy gelding, provided the ground is ”good” or “good to soft”.
Back him with bet365 or another bookie offering a “cash out” facility so that, if the heavens open before the off, you can get your stake back prior to the off. He will not win, or possibly will not even run, on very soft or heavy ground.
One for the horse tracker
Major Dundee was unlucky to bump into two very well handicapped horses in Saturday’s Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr. Well supported in the market, he ran an excellent race in third and is unlikely to have his rating of 132 changed since he was beaten 12 lengths by the easy winner, Win My Wings. Still only seven years old, Alan King’s gelding can land a big staying handicap chase next season. He would also not be without a “shout” in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown later this month, if he has recovered from his weekend exertions and is allowed to take his chance.
Bets record for the 2021-2 jumps season
Pending:
1 point each way Gaelik Coast at 16-1 for the Red Rum Chase, ¼ odds, four places.
1 point each way Gaelik Coast at 20-1 for the Topham Chase ¼ odds, four places.
1 point each way Any Second Now at 20-1 for the Grand National, with bet365, ¼ odds, 5 places.
1 point each way Dingo Dollar at 50-1 for the Grand National, ¼ odds, 4 places.
1 point each way Good Boy Bobby at 40-1 for the Grand National, with William Hill, ¼ odds, 4 places.
1 point each way Mighty Thunder at 50-1 for the Grand National, with William Hill, ¼ odds, 4 places.
1 point each way Discorama at 33-1 for the Grand National, 1/5 odds, five places.
1 point each way Hewick at 33-1 for the bet365 Gold Cup, ¼ odds, four places.
Settled:
1 point each way Spyglass Hill at 20-1 for Grand Sefton Chase, ¼ odds, 4 places. Unseated rider. – 2 points.
1 point each way Coole Cody at 20-1 for the Paddy Power Gold Cup, ¼ odds, 4 places. Fell. – 2 points.
1 point each way Manofthemountain at 20-1 for the Paddy Power Gold Cup, ¼ odds, 4 places. Unplaced. – 2 points
1 point each way Potterman at 16-1 for the Ladbrokes Trophy, ¼ odds, 4 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Silver Streak at 12-1 for the Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle, 1/5 odds, 3 places. Unplaced – 2 points.
1 point each way Mac Tottie at 12-1 for the Becher Chase, ¼ odds, 4 places. Fell. – 2 points.
1 point each way Alnadam at 10-1 for the Racing Post Gold Cup, ¼ odds. NR – 2 points
1 point each way Silver Hallmark at 12-1 for the Racing Post Gold Cup, ¼ odds, 4 places. NR – 2 points.
1 point each way Lake View Lad at 12-1 for the Rowland Meyrick, ¼ odds, 4 places.4th+2 points.
1 point each way Highland Hunter at 14-1 for the Welsh Grand National, ¼ odds, 4 places. 2nd +2.5 points.
1 point each way Hold That Taught at 12-1 for the Welsh Grand National, ¼ odds, 4 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Galahad Quest at 9-1 in the Paddy Power New Year’s Day Chase, ¼ odds,, 4 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Notachance at 9-1 for the Classic Chase, ¼ odds, 4 places. Unplaced. - 2 points.
1 point each way Quinta do Mar at 16-1 for the Lanzarote Hurdle, ¼ odds, 4 places. Fell. – 2 points.
1 point each way Annsam at 16-1 for the Sky Bet Handicap Chase, ¼ odds, 4 places. NR – 2 points.
1 point each way Green Book at 7-1 for the Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle, 1/5 odds, 6 places. 1st 7-1. + 8.4 points
1 point each way I Like To Move It at 12-1 for the Betfair Hurdle, ¼ odds, 4 places. 2nd + 2 points.
1 point each way Onemorefortheroad at 12-1 for the Betfair Hurdle, ¼ odds, 4 places. NR -= 2 points.
2 points win Annsam at 11-1 for the Coral Trophy Handicap Chase. Unplaced – 2 points.
1 point each way Zanza at 20-1 for the Coral Trophy Handicap Chase, 1/4 odds, 4 places. Unplaced – 2 points.
2 point each way Caribean Boy at 10-1 for the Coral Trophy Handicap Chase. NR – 2 points
1 point each way Cormier at 14-1 for the Morebattle Hurdle 1/4 odds, 4 places. 1st +17.5 points.
1 point each way Magic Daze at 16-1 NRNB or the Arkle Chase 1/5 odds, 3 places. Unplaced – 2 points
1 point each way Full Back at 20-1 NRNB for the Ultima Chase, 1/5 odds, 5 places. Unplaed – 2 points
1 point each way Epatante at 10-1 NRNB for the Champion Hurdle, 1/5 odds, 3 places. 2nd + 1 point.
1 point each way Saint Segal at 12-1 NRNB for the Boodles Hurdle, 1/5 odds, 5 places. Unplaced – 2 points.
1 point each way Too Friendly at 16-1 NRNB for the Boodles Hurdle, 1/5 odds, 5 places. 5th + 2.2 points
1 pint each way Gowel Road a 16-1 NRNB for the Coral Cup, 1/5 odds, 5 places. – 2 points.
1 point each way Buzz at 20-1 for the Stayers’ Hurdle, 1/5 odds, 3 places. NR – 2 points
1 point each way Shady Operator at 14-1 for the Cross Country Chase, 1/5 odds, 3 places. Unplaced – 2 points.
1 point each way Elixir de Nutz at 20-1 NRNB or the Grand Annual, 1/5 odds, 5 places. Unplaced – 2 points
2 points win Amarillo Sky at 10-1 NRNB for the Grand Annual. Unplaced. -2 points.
1 point each way Global Citizen at 50-1 NRNB for the Grand Annual Chase 1/5 odd, 5 places. 1st + 60 points.
1 point each way Fanion D’Estruval at 25-1 NRNB for the Ryanair Chase, 1/5 odds, 3 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way The Glancing Queen at 20-1 NRNB for the Paddy Power Plate 1/5 odds, 5 places. Unplaced – 2 points.
1 point each way Global Citizen at 40-1 NRNB for the County Hurdle 1/4 odd, 4 places. NR Stake returned.
1 point each way The Glancing Queen at 10-1 NRNB for the Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase, 1/5 odds, 3 places. NR. Stake returned.
1 point each way Royale Pagaille at 20-1 NRNB for the Cheltenham Gold Cup , 1/5 odds, 3 places. Unplaced – 2 points.
1 point each way Jersey Bean at 14-1 for the Midlands Grand National 1/4 odds, 4 places. NR. - 2 points.
1 point each way Kitty’s Light at 14-1 for the Scottish Grand National, ¼ odds, four places. 2nd. + 2.5 points
1 point each way Innisfree Lad at 33-1 for the Scottish Grand National, 1/5 odds, five places. Unplaced – 2 points.
1 point each way Hewick at 20-1 for the Scottish Grand National, 1/5 odds, five place. NR. – 2 points.
2021-22 jumps season running total + 37.1 points.