Yuuloracingtips Aintree Festival Racecard for Thursday 3rd April 2025

Caroline’s Aintree Festival Racecard for Thursday 3rd April 2025

EBS Group Manifesto Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 1.45
Impaire Et Passe
What an opener to get off to a start at the Aintree Festival. It’s a real cracker, but my hard-earned cash is going on Impaire Et Passe, who I think has been laid out for this by Willie Mullins. Of course, Impaire Et Passe needs to tidy up the jumping under Paul Townend, so the cheekpieces go on, but after winning the Aintree Hurdle here last year, we do know he can act on this track, and will be fully tuned up for this Grade One. Jingo Baie, who seemed to come from nowhere to snatch the Arkle at Cheltenham has topped the markets this week, but has only had twenty-three days to get over that fine win, so it may be Croke Park that turns out to be the main danger, with previous over Impaire Et Passe, from the Ladbrokes Novice Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival. Impaire Et Passe to get his revenge on Croke Park, with Jingo Baie keeping them both to their work.

Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) 2.20
Puturhandstogether
Plenty to like about Puturhandstogether’s win in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham the last day, and I’ll back him to do it again at Aintree. Looking again at that run, Mark Walsh didn’t have to knock the spots off him to win by 6 lengths, just sauntering through the line under hands and heels, so this Caravaggio gelding should be ready to roll again. With plenty of speed in the breeding, Aintree’s flat track should be just his thing, and this doesn’t look the strongest renewal to me. Puturhandstogether to put it all together and take another Grade One.

Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph Bowl Chase (Grade 1) 2.55
Grey Dawning (nap)
I think that the Bowl is going to Grey Dawning, to get one back for the home team. He’s been kept back for this, and does seem at his best on a flatter track, so I’m of the opinion that Dan Skelton had that in mind when sending him up to Kelso last time out, so giving the Cheltenham Gold Cup a miss. Irish raiders Spillane’s Tower and Gaelic Warrior are the pair that will be taking Grey Dawning on, but whether this ground is a bit quick for Spillane’s Tower asks a question, while Gaelic Warrior to my mind hasn’t been quite as sharp this season. Grey Dawning to justify the short price and take the Bowl.

William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) 3.30
Lossiemouth (nb)
Constitution Hill can be beaten, and it’s Lossiemouth that’s going to pull it off! There we are, I’ve said the unthinkable, but there’s some pretty strong reasons behind my thinking. I don’t see Constitution Hill as the impregnable champion he was in the past, and with just three weeks since taking a fall at Cheltenham, he’s hardly had an ideal preparation for this. Although Constitution Hill won this in 2023, Nicky Henderson has kept him to the two mile trip since then, whereas Lossiemouth has been winning her races over this two and a half trip, and also gets that 7lb pull from her rival. Gordon Elliott’s Wodhooh can’t stop winning, so can keep them up to their work, but it’s Lossiemouth for me in the Aintree Hurdle.

Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase 4.05
My Drogo
My Drogo looked a really smart prospect when with Dan Skelton, but did seem to lose his way a bit, and subsequently went to Edward Walker’s yard. Something’s clicked, with a Points win at Larkhill, and sent back to Haydock Park under rules, My Drogo put it all together again to win under William Biddick, who’s up top again. 2023 winner, Famous Clermont, and last year’s runner-up, Bennys King can both go well, but I’ll take the chance on My Drogo.

Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 4.40
The Folkes Tiara
It’s a pretty hot handicap where there’s quite a few to catch the eye, but I think Folkes Tiara has a top chance. He won a Listed Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse back in November, and was unlucky the last day when pipped at the post at by An Peann Dearg, but Henry de Bromhead has a good record in this so Folkes Tiara is the one for me. Gavin Cromwell is firing well, so My Mate Mozzie makes the list, while last year’s winner, Sans Bruit can’t be written off, but Folkes Tiara it is.

Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) 5.15
Charisma Cat
I’ll be thinking that the last race on Thursday can go to Charisma Cat, though Paddy Twomey’s Seo Linn has been backed well in this week. Alan King has been getting Charisma Cat just right in these bumpers, and she’s now three from four, with a Listed win at Sandown Park in the book. Harry Derham’s Jackie Hobbs was impressive enough when she scored at Ascot the last day, finding another gear when Harry Cobden pushed the button, so these are the three I think will be in the mix. Charisma Cat gets the final vote, with Jackie Hobbs to keep her honest.