Three weeks on from Cheltenham, the Aintree Grand National 2022 meeting begins on Thursday, with plenty of exciting races to whet the appetite ahead of the big one, the Randox Grand National, which comes at 5:15 on Saturday afternoon.
There’s plenty of Graded action to look forward to as well as a number of competitive handicaps, and here we’ll provide a detailed insight into the racecard on the first day of this anticipated meeting.
The going is currently noted as Good To Soft on the eve of the action, but with the forecast not looking great overnight and into Thursday, it’s unknown whether or not conditions will take a turn for the worst, depending on how much rain does fall at the track.
Whatever the weather and going, there is sure to be a number of fantastic equine athletes lining up at the Merseyside track on the first day; old friends and fan favourites as well as young, exciting prospects looking to enhance their growing reputations.
(All prices and runners are correct at the time of writing.)
Seven-runners go to post in the opener, the Grade One Manifesto Novices’ Chase, at 1:45.
Not one runner holds a Grade One win to their name, but there appears to be a number of horses capable of taking the prize here and earning an illustrious win.
Paul Nicholls’ Pic D’Orhy is currently vying for favouritism at the head of the market and, despite clearly having plenty of ability and a good engine, he has been partial to the odd mistake since making the switch to fences.
Last time out he put in a solid performance, with a good round of jumping and showed progression to beat Millers Bank.
Here, the two meet again, and Millers Bank will have to find more to reverse form, this time running off level weights having received 5lbs at Kempton.
Alex Hales’ runner is prone to a mistake or two himself, but did put in a better performance behind Pic D’Orhy, on his first start following wind surgery.
Colin Tizzard’s consistent performer War Lord finished an impressive fourth in the Arkle at Cheltenham, at odds of 50/1, when last seen.
He steps up in trip for the first time over fences despite not enjoying much success over an extended distance in the past.
At this meeting last year he finished seventh in a Grade Three 2m4f contest over hurdles.
But he has taken well to fences and it will be interesting to see how he handles the extra half-a-mile.
Erne River hasn’t done much wrong in two starts over fences to date, winning by a combined distance of nineteen-lengths.
However, on his debut over fences he did benefit from three fancied horses failing to complete, most notably Our Power who has been running impressively in large handicaps of late.
Nick Kent’s gelding has looked to be a progressive type and is lightly-raced which makes him an intriguing runner here, who is unexposed at this level.
During his Point-To-Point career he finished ahead of currently 146-rated Minella Drama, which would indicate he should perform respectably at this level and the best may still be yet to come from him.
Irish-raider Gin On Lime receives the mares’ allowance under Rachael Blackmore, and will be hoping to provide Henry De Bromhead with a successful start to this meeting.
She was last seen winning the dramatic two-runner Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham in November, in which My Drogo fell at the penultimate fence and Gin On Lime herself almost failed to complete.
Prior to that she won a Grade Three affair ahead of some respected horses, and the mare will likely be a danger to the favourites here.
The Widdow Maker is the second runner for the Tizzard yard, but has 14lbs to find with the favourite.
Jacamar is the outsider of the field for Milton Harris, having disappointed at Ayr on Saturday as fourth of five and the last to complete.
He didn’t jump with much fluency and couldn’t find a rhythm in a Grade Two that wasn’t filled with quality.
Our selection: Pic D’Orhy 7/2
The stable isn’t in the greatest form, currently performing at a strike rate of 13%, and there are clearly worries in regards to horses performing to the best of their ability.
That in itself doesn’t instil confidence in Pic D’Orhy or many of Nicholls’ other runners at this meeting.
However, we believe there is more to come from Pic D’Orhy, and further room for improvement.
This could be the perfect chance for him to claim a Grade One prize.
The horse put in a good performance to beat a small field last time out, and whilst this may be slightly more competitive, with the additions of the unexposed Erne River and consistent War Lord, it is still within his reach.
There are plenty of interesting contenders in the Juvenile Hurdle at 2:20, despite the market speaking for Gordon Elliott’s Pied Piper who is currently at 11/10 to take the prize.
Bred by The Queen, Pied Piper was a useful runner in lower class races for John & Thady Gosden on the flat.
Since switching to Elliott’s yard he has taken well to hurdling, and put in impressive performances beating Vauban on debut before winning at a canter in the Triumph Trial at Cheltenham.
He went off as second favourite behind eventual winner Vauban for the Triumph Hurdle last month, but could only manage third.
That performance was slightly disappointing following on from his previous run, but the winner does appear to have exceptional talent and may just have been too good.
He is expected to bounce back with a win here, but as mentioned there are plenty of rivals , all with wins to their names, opposing him here.
Brazil is the second favourite fresh from a win in the Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle at The Festival.
Padraig Roche’s runner was impressive there, rallying to narrowly beat well-fancied favourite Gaelic Warrior.
The former Ballydoyle representative has shown progression since making the switch from the flat, and a three-timer is not out of the question.
Petit Tonnerre is unbeaten in three and won well on debut for Jonjo O’Neill when last seen.
His form comes on soft ground, which he may get come Thursday, but this test requires much more from him.
Knight Salute was unbeaten over hurdles prior to his run in the Triumph.
He could only manage ninth there in a competitive field, and he has plenty to find with Pied Piper based on that run.
On previous form he is an impressive youngster capable of plenty, and he could be forgiven for such a poor showing at Cheltenham, however he is likely to prefer a sounder surface to the one the forecast predicts.
Fautinette makes her debut for Venetia Williams following an unbeaten start to her career, and she’ll receive the fillies’ allowance.
A softer ground would likely suit, and both trainer and jockey have been enjoying a fruitful season so far.
This filly will be one to watch with interest.
Impulsive One beat Inca Prince by eighteen-and-a-half-lengths in February, but was beaten twenty-six-lengths by Knight Salute at Kempton when last seen.
He appears out of his depth in this Graded affair, but he is a Listed winner and if able to recapture his best form he could be an each-way player at a big price.
Inca Prince has plenty to find on ratings but did impress when last seen winning easily at Musselburgh.
This may be too competitive, and he has plenty to do to reverse form with Impulsive One.
In The Air won well in a Class 4 contest on debut for Gary Moore, but he’s another who will have to show plenty of improvement to feature amongst the places.
Too Friendly is the outsider of the field making his second run following wind surgery.
He finished a respectable fifth in the Cheltenham handicap won by Brazil, when receiving 12lbs from the winner.
On level weights reversing the form with Brazil appears to be a gigantic task, and the gelding must also improve plenty to get near Knight Salute and Impulsive One, both of whom have previously beaten Dan Skelton’s horse.
Our selection: Pied Piper 11/10
Despite being impressed by Brazil’s determination at Cheltenham, we find it difficult to look past the favourite here, and the image of him cantering towards the finish in the Triumph Trial in January remains fresh in the memory.
That was visually one of the most eye-catching performances of the season, and despite the runners in behind not being of the best quality, Pied Piper barely appeared to break a sweat.
He was disappointing last time out, and the ground may not be as good as he would like here, but there are plenty of reasons to stick with the Elliott runner, and hope he’ll progress to be something special.
Two high-quality opponents beat him last time out, but he doesn’t face them here, and his class should see him through.
The Betway Bowl Chase comes next at 2:55, with plenty of talented and experienced horses involved.
The field is headed by fan-favourite Bristol De Mai, who is a double-figure priced for this year’s renewal.
At eleven years old, the gelding has plenty of experience, including a couple of runs in this race, and has been a top performer on his day.
However, he is past his best and is most suited to a real test of stamina on a softer surface, which may put him out of contention with some of his younger, faster rivals unless there is torrential rain.
He put in an emotive performance last time out in the Grand National Trial over an extra half-a-mile in heavy conditions, leading the field and going clear towards the finish under top-weight, before being overtaken by The Galloping Bear.
This run showed he still has heart and enthusiasm and there are sure to be plenty cheering him home come Thursday.
Clan Des Obeaux is attempting to retain his title having won this convincingly last year.
He will face stiff opposition here and his preparation runs have been far from impressive.
When last seen he finished third in the Denman Chase, twelve-and-a-quarter-lengths behind the winner Eldorado Allen, and ten-lengths behind second-placed Royale Pagaille.
He did enjoy a strong finish to last season’s campaign, however, and may be able to make a return to winning ways to make it back-to-back wins in the contest.
Irish Gold Cup winner Conflated fell at the penultimate fence in the Ryanair Chase when travelling best of the rest behind Allaho.
He ran towards the rear throughout most of the race before making up plenty of ground and finishing strongly prior to his fall.
At Leopardstown he travelled smoothly, gaining ground with his fluent jumping and winning impressively, beating fifth-placed Kemboy.
This race sees Conflated return over three miles, and if he’s able to replicate his recent form over the trip he’ll be tough to beat.
Eldorado Allen was an impressive winner of the Denman Chase, but this is the furthest distance he will have attempted and it may be near his limit.
Towards the finish at Newbury, Royale Pagaille was closing, and he appears to be a stronger stayer which could see him reverse form with Eldorado Allen here, especially if the ground is softer.
Kemboy is a regular runner in Grade One contests, but is rarely able to get his head in front.
His last win came in last year’s renewal of the Irish Gold Cup, but since then he has failed to place in all but one of his runs.
That placed effort came in the Savills Chase, where he finished a close third behind winner Galvin and A Plus Tard.
That formline reads well, with A Plus Tard going on to demolish the field in the Cheltenham Gold Cup recently.
A return to Aintree, the setting of his 2019 Betway Bowl win, could see him return to the winners’ enclosure to regain his crown, but based on his last run he has plenty to find with Conflated.
Protektorat was last seen finishing strongly in the Gold Cup, eventually finishing in third despite making a serious mistake at the final fence.
That was an impressive run by the seven-year-old, who could be a star in the making for trainer Dan Skelton.
He brings arguably the best form into this race, and will be tough to beat if at his best only twenty days on from Cheltenham.
On his prior run, he won the Many Clouds Chase at the course over the distance, beating runner-up Native River by twenty-five-lengths.
Connections of Royale Pagaille will be hoping the rain does come in time for this race, with the eight-year-old being a very efficient performer on a softer surface.
He performed well in fifth in the Gold Cup, despite the ground not being to suit, and he will likely be a contender here.
He has had to overcome injury problems earlier in the season, but has appeared back to his best in recent runs, and is a horse improving as he matures.
Nuts Well is often overlooked, and this appears to be the case again, with the eleven-year-old available at 33/1.
Trainer Ann Hamilton has enjoyed a fruitful season with plenty of success, possibly beyond expectations, and Nuts Well has played his part, winning twice, including a Listed contest last month.
Itchy Feet is the outsider of the field, and it’s over two years since he recorded his last win with success in the Grade One Scilly Isles at Sandown.
This will be a tough task for him, as there is plenty of quality in this select field.
Our selection: Royale Pagaille 7/1
He represents plenty of value here, given he is fresh enough to put in a good performance following his Cheltenham escapades.
With Protektorat appearing to shorten at the head of the market, Royale Pagaille seems overpriced in comparison, given that there was barely half-a-length between them in the Gold Cup, and the ground is likelier to be slightly softer that it was there.
This does appear to be a competitive race and there are plenty in with a chance, but Royale Pagaille gets the nod.
Nicky Henderson’s champion mare Epatante and Cullentra’s Irish-raider Zanahiyr are currently both vying for favouritism at the head of the market for the Aintree Hurdle at 3:30.
Epatante will receive the 7lbs mares’ allowance here and was last seen chasing home Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdle, finishing a length ahead of third-placed Zanahiyr.
She stumbled at the last hurdle, but kept on well towards the end to finish strongly.
Based on that run there isn’t much between Epatante and Zanahyir, and it will be interesting to see who finishes first in a rematch.
There will be an extra half-a-mile in the contest here, neither of whom have attempted the trip before and both will be making their Aintree debuts.
Brewin’upastorm has experience over the Aintree hurdles and finished second at the meeting in 2019.
He won over the distance here on season debut in November, and has been performing well over two-and-a-half-miles this term.
In the Relkeel Hurdle he was an unfortunate faller at the last when he appeared to be making his move on the eventual winner Stormy Ireland.
It’s difficult to know whether or not he’d have won the race ahead of the mare, but he was travelling strongly and had every chance.
McFabulous finished in second, with Guard Your Dreams a well-beaten third.
In the Grade Two National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell in February, Brewin’upastorm was just held at the line by Botox Has, whilst Guard Your Dreams finished seven-lengths behind in third and Monmiral a further four-lengths behind in fourth.
Monmiral is an imposing type, an extremely impressive-looking youngster, who is likely to appreciate the larger obstacles next term, but takes his chance here in an attempt to end a disappointing season on a high.
He finished lame on seasonal debut at Newcastle, after suffering a cut, and following a couple of months rest he reappeared in the aforementioned Fontwell contest, perhaps needing the run.
At this meeting last year he won a Grade One Juvenile Hurdle, beating Adagio, and a return to Aintree may be what’s needed to reignite the form shown during his four-year-old campaign.
Glory And Fortune finished a respectable fifth in the Champion Hurdle when sent off at odds of 150/1.
Prior to that run he won the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury, following a second-placed finish behind Epatante in the Christmas Hurdle.
The step up in trip may not be ideal, and with plenty to do to reverse form with the favourites he may be best-watched without much each-way potential in this field of seven.
McFabulous isn’t the most reliable runner on current form and he could only manage eighth in last year’s renewal of this race.
Guard Your Dreams is a consistent top-three finisher, but may be better suited to handicaps going forward.
Our selection: Brewin’upastorm 13/2
Another runner who possibly represents a bit of value in the market.
He has been consistent this season, he’s proven over the trip and is a previous winner at the course.
There aren’t many negatives in regards to him this term, and he could be slightly overpriced.
He’s also benefitted from a longer break than the two at the head of the market, and the forecast rain would probably be a boost to his chances.
Clearly Epatante will be dangerous receiving the allowance, but Brewin’upastorm is the selection to land his first Grade One.
At 4:05 the Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase is run, and favourite in the market is Jett for trainer Robert Waley-Cohen.
Jett outran his odds in eighth during last year’s Grand National, having made much of the running enjoying a lovely trip around.
He is a deserved favourite here back at Aintree, and is bound to take to the fences once again.
Cat Tiger enjoyed a narrow victory at Ascot earlier this year, but could only manage twelfth at Cheltenham most recently.
Latenightpass is consistent in his races and appears here for the first time following wind surgery, which could indicate further room for improvement.
Porlock Bay was last seen finishing second at Bangor-on-Dee, but has previously won the St. James’s Place Festival Hunter Chase, ahead of this year’s winner, Billaway.
Cousin Pascal was disappointing when pulled-up at Cheltenham, but is a course and distance winner who must be respected having won this in 2021 ahead of Latenightpass and Cat Tiger among others.
Mighty Stowaway finished third at Cheltenham most recently, with Pont Aven the last of the finishers in sixth.
Marracudja comes into the race on the back of a win at Leicester.
Myth Byster is an interesting contender who will be ridden by Patrick Mullins and has been previously seen winning the Scottish Open Hunters’ Chase at Musselburgh.
Le Breuil is winless in three years, but often runs into the places, whilst Dashing Perk is looking for his first win since December 2019.
With a potential field of twenty-four runners, the market appears to be very open with plenty of potential for bigger-priced runners to finish in the places.
Our selection: Without an overly strong opinion on the race, we’re inclined to take a closer look at Stand Up And Fight (33/1 – 7 places) who is an interesting contender at an enticing each-way price.
Latenightpass (11/2) could be the likeliest winner, if showing further improvement after a wind operation.
The Grade Three Red Rum Handicap Chase is the penultimate race on the opening day, with a maximum of eighteen runners lining up for the trip just shy of two miles at 4:40.
Sky Pirate carries top-weight at a rating of 153 for Jonjo O’Neill.
The nine-year-old makes his first appearance over fences at the track, but his current mark will make it a tough task.
Dolos showed improvement to win at Sandown in February, beating Frero Banbou, Gunsight Ridge and Bun Doran, but his previous run of races were very poor and he may be difficult to back with much certainty.
Before Midnight recorded a four-timer during 2021, before finishing last in the Desert Orchid Chase, seven-lengths behind third-placed Sky Pirate whilst receiving 4lbs.
He fared much better when last seen, finishing only a length behind Funambule Sivola who has since gone on to finish second in the Champion Chase.
Global Citizen was the surprise winner of the Grand Annual at Cheltenham, and has subsequently gone up 7lbs.
If able to continue that form, he’ll be in with a chance here.
Frero Banbou finished six-lengths behind Global Citizen in third, with Dancing On My Own a distant tenth and Sky Pirate the last of the finishers in eleventh.
Dancing On My Own has been dropped 2lbs for that disappointing run, and may fare better here, whilst Frero Banbou is a very consistent runner whose form reads well.
Bold Enough drops back down to a trip that appears to be more suited to him and he has run well at Aintree previously, finishing third at this meeting last year.
Elixir De Nutz was pulled-up on his last outing on heavy ground, and will have to show more ability to mix it with the favourites.
Zarkareva, the only mare in the race, is another who needs to show improvement to feature at the finish.
Thyme White bypassed the Cheltenham Festival but appeared at Ascot last month, finishing a disappointing second as favourite in a Class 2 Handicap.
The six-year-old is capable of more improvement, however, and will hope the rain doesn’t affect the ground too much.
King D’argent is winless this season, but did finish second in a Listed contest last year.
He came close at Doncaster, but was beaten by Bun Doran who did well to avoid a faller at the eighth fence, and showed plenty of heart to win having come off the bridle much sooner than his nearest rival.
King D’argent jumped out of his jockey’s hands on a number of occasions, and wasn’t convincing at the final fence.
He is only seven, and will likely improve with experience.
If he can show a cleaner round of jumping, he may be able to put in a performance worthy of challenging for the prize.
Donald McCain’s in-form yard is represented by Gaelik Coast who makes his second start following wind surgery, having finished fourth on his previous run in a Grade Three Handicap.
He has been largely inconsistent and could only manage tenth in this last year.
When last seen at Newbury, Shakem Up’arry finished a distant second to Amarillo Sky who subsequently went on to finish behind Global Citizen and Frero Banbou.
This formline doesn’t bode well for Ben Pauling’s runner, however, he has been dropped 1lb for that run and does benefit from jockey Kevin Brogan claiming 3lbs onboard here.
Gunsight Ridge is an interesting contender off a mark of 134, and has definite each-way claims as he’s never failed to finish in the top three in any of his starts over obstacles to date.
He was well-beaten by Dolos and Frero Banbou when he was last seen, but he did finish ahead of Bun Doran and he’s a reliable performer who may still be improving.
The Last Day is a winner at the course over the distance, but he hasn’t been seen much in recent years and fell at the last fence when travelling smoothly on reappearance at Haydock in January.
He was impressive prior to his fall, and if he’s able to perform to his best, he could well be overpriced.
Fugitif and Espion Du Chenet complete the lineup as the outsiders of the field, with both needing to find much more to be competitive.
Our selection: The Last Day 14/1 (EW)
Evan Williams’ runner travelled extremely well before falling at the last on reappearance.
If able to jump cleanly and avoid trouble in running, he could be well-handicapped amongst horses who may find it tough at the weights.
He may be a risky selection given his lack of runs and time spent off track, but he does have course form over this trip and could be one that’s overlooked in the market.
Milton Harris’ four-year-old filly Rosy Redrum receives 8lbs from her elder rivals and is currently favourite in the market ahead of the Mares’ Standard Open Flat Race at 5:15, the last race on the Thursday card.
By Pride Of Dubai, out of a Dubawi mare, Rosy Redrum won on debut at Wincanton before finishing second in a Listed bumper at Newbury, receiving 19lbs from the winner Top Dog, who was subsequently pulled-up in the Champion Bumper.
Authorised Speed, who finished behind Rosy Redrum at Newbury, did go on to finish fifth in the Champion Bumper, but it’s worth keeping in mind that the ground conditions were desperate at Cheltenham on that occasion.
Ashroe Diamond, by Walk In The Park, is Willie Mullins’ sole representative in the race.
She impressed on debut last May, beating Banntown Girl by fourteen-lengths, a mare who has since gone to place in a Listed hurdle race.
Next time out she finished second before finishing a close fourth behind Lily Du Berlais, but didn’t appear to finish as strongly as a couple of her rivals who finished in front, which may be concern.
Kateira, by Kayf Tara, impressed on debut, travelling strongly around the outside of the leading pack towards the finish, covering more ground than her opponents but showing plenty of speed and stamina to win convincingly.
It’s difficult to know the level of those she beat at Huntingdon, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her put in another strong performance stepping up to Graded company here.
Another Kayf Tara mare, Naughtinesse has performed well in two racecourse starts, including when winning at Fairyhouse, whilst Lady Excalibur, by Camelot, is another coming into the race off the back of a win.
Iliade Allen finished second to Poetic Music in a Listed race at Cheltenham when last seen.
Poetic Music then went on to finish sixth in the competitive Champion Bumper, receiving plenty of weight from most of her rivals.
Law Ella, by star stayer Yeats, was visually impressive on debut, quickening well in soft conditions to win in a compelling manner.
Leading Theatre finished behind Bonttay when last seen, a mare who recorded a hat-trick of wins at Cheltenham, having previously beaten the aforementioned Top Dog and the progressive hurdler Aucunrisque.
On this form, Leading Theatre could perhaps be overlooked in the market here, but she does lack a recent run and may be more effective on a sounder surface.
Roc Of Dundee hasn’t done much wrong since making her debut under rules, with two wins from two races so far.
On debut, she beat Kalelula, who was subsequently a five-and-a-half-length runner-up to Kateira, by a length-and-a-half.
She represents the in-form Donald McCain stable, and it could be interesting to see how she fares at this level and if she is able to show improvement to compete with her more fancied rivals.
Stablemate Nell’s Bells is a bigger priced outsider, having failed to fire in a Listed bumper at Cheltenham earlier this year.
Kaleula has been second twice in two runs, and would need to show more to reverse form with a couple of mares she reopposes here.
Girlofmydreams, Magical Maggie and River Of Joy are all mares who have made only one racecourse start, winning in lower class races.
The form of the horses in behind doesn’t impress but they did what was asked and they may well be able to build on their performances and improve.
All The Glory and Lutinebella have finished in the top four in all of their runs to date, but both will need to show more ability if they are to mount a challenge.
Fancy Stuff looks up against it here having finished seventh behind Magical Maggie at Southwell last month.
Malina Jamila is a big-price for Neil King, but has previously won a Listed bumper.
She was a distant fifth most recently, however, and others are preferred.
Walk In The Storm and Ilovethenightlife are both by Walk In The Park but are available at massive odds and appear unlikely to feature at the finish.
Our selection: Kateira 6/1
The level of many of these inexperienced mares is unknown and there are plenty who are unexposed at this Grade Two level.
Kateira could be the one to improve the most following on from her debut win, but Leading Theatre (14/1) shouldn’t be ruled out if fit following a break, and is available at a decent each-way price.
By Katie Midwinter (06/04/22)
THE CONDITIONAL 