The Mandarin’s Aintree Festival Racecard for Friday 4th April 2025

The Mandarin’s Aintree Festival Racecard for Friday 4th April

Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 1.45
Handstands
Ben Pauling’s yard has turned a corner since the move to bigger premises, and Handstands is one that has really come on for the Naunton Downs handler. Since falling first time out at Wincanton in November, Handstands hasn’t looked back, scoring twice at Grade 2 level, before a fine front-running effort to grab Grade One glory in the Scilly Isles Chase at Sandown Park. Having skipped Cheltenham, he looks sure to go well, so gets the vote ahead of the smart Caldwell Potter and Willie Mullins’s Dancing City. Joe Tizzard’s The Changing Man looks a super each-way angle, but it’s Handstands to win.

William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 2.20
Impose Toi
Impose Toi has to lump 12 stones around Aintree, but should be good enough to do just that and land this Premier Handicap. He looked all the way the winner of the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, before Jimmy Du Seuil collared him after the last, but is fancied to go one better here. Dan Skelton has a 6 length lead in the Jump Trainers’ Championship going into Friday, and always has one for these competitive handicaps, so Listentoyourheart makes the shortlist, with Harry Atkins 7lb claim a nice offset, though brother Harry Skelton is on Be Aware who is also noted. Sam Thomas’s Steel Ally is also considered, but Impose Toi gets the nudge.

TrustATrader Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2.55
Romeo Coolio (nap)
We backed Romeo Coolio for the Supreme Novices’ at the Cheltenham festival, and he did himself proud with the Bronze Medal. A good finish in that Grade One is usually a good indicator for this, so we’re inclined to stick with Romeo Coolio for the Top Novices’ Hurdle. Fergal O’Brien’s prolific Tripoli Flyer rates a big danger, with the Ravenswell Farm handler in a purple patch, despite some twitchy jumping coming as part of the package, while Supreme fifth, Salvator Mundi would be expected to be right in the thick of things for Willie Mullins. Ben Pauling’s Diva Luna completes the shortlist, but Romeo Coolio is the one to follow.

My Pension Expert Melling Chase (Grade 1) 3.30
Jonbon
Well, the Cheltenham jinx continued for Jonbon once again in the Champion Chase three weeks ago. A race-ending mistake at the ninth put paid to his chances, but away from headquarters Jonbon is very difficult to oppose. El Fabiolo lines up here, and of course was his nemesis in the 2023 renewal of the Champion Chase, but might lack for pace on ground this quick, so last year’s third, Protektorat can be the one to take it to Jonbon, especially back on his favoured left-handed track. Just the four runners, so this has the potential to be a trappy race, but Jonbon can shine once more away from Cheltenham to defend his title.

Randox Supporting Prostate Cancer UK Topham Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 4.05
Bad
The hat-trick seeking Bad looks one to keep on side in what is a wide open renewal of the Topham. He’s been steadily progressive the last two seasons, and some issues in running seem to be settling down, so from a very workable mark, Bad has a huge chance, with Ben Jones just the man to have up in the driver’s seat. Under the same ownership, the Willie Mullins pair of James Du Berlais and Blue Lord can make it a all-green finish. Bad to come good!

Oddschecker Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 4.40
Mister Meggit (nb)
We really rated Mister Meggit when he won his first two Bumpers for Jonjo & AJ O’Neill last season, and got he got off the mark with the minimum of fuss here last November. Just the four runs under his belt so needs to be kept fresh to see the best of him, so it does look like he’s been laid out for this. With David Cottin’s Jet Blue a late withdrawal, Nicky Henderson’s Califet En Vol has headed the markets with Mister Meggit, who we think will be winning this.

Hallgarten And Novum Wines Handicap Hurdle (Conditional Jockeys/Amateur Riders Race) 5.15
Diamonds For Luck
A bit of a puzzle for the closer, but Olly Murphy’s Diamonds For Luck is one definitely going the right way, so gets our vote. There is a concern over whether this ground might be too quick, but this Diamond Boy gelding does like to get on with it, so Aintree’s flat track is sure to suit. There’s a few likely types, so Ben Pauling’s Fiercely Proud is noted, along with Fergal O’Brien’s Jack Hyde, but Diamonds For Luck is given the shout.

The Mandarin