Persian Delight Favourite For Aintree`s Flat Race

Grand National Meeting

Horse Racing
Published: 10/04/2015

The second day of the Aintree Festival closes with the annual Grade Two flat race with 19 runners looking to follow in the footsteps of previous winners The New One (2012), Killyglass (2013) and Ballybolley (2014). Paul Nicholls just has the one runner in today`s 17f climax but saddles the favourite Persian Delight.

The Hypnotised Syndicate five-year-old who is available across the board at 4/1, is making only his second start this afternoon. His first was suitably impressive, finishing 12 lengths clear of Nick Williams` Basilic D`alene when carrying 9lbs more than his nearest rival, the grey just four-years-old. Persian Delight was the 2/1 favourite for that Taunton event for amateur and conditional jockeys and will be hoping to be able to justify his position as market leader for the second time in succession.

Perhaps the only chink the favourite`s armour is the fact that he was ridden by Jack Sherwood on that occasion, but today is under the orders of Sam Twiston-Davies. Whilst he is sure to get a nice run from Nicholls` stable jockey, horse and rider may not have established the same relationship as some of their rivals.

One such special relationship is the one between David Bass and his mount for this closing event, Barters Hill. Bass has ridden his mount twice, he currently unbeaten in all of his three outings. bet365 have installed the Ben Pauling charge at a price of 6/1.

The pair had a starting price of 25/1 when taking down second placed Simply Rouge, with her mare`s allowance in tow, by just over a length at Huntingdon on his debut. Nico De Boinville took the ride on his second outing, this time at Warwick, the pair landing a two length win over the AP McCoy ridden 13/8 favourite Joe Farrell. Finally, and the most important piece of form, Barters Hill and Bass got the better of Aintree rival Buveur D`air by three-quarters-of-a-length at Newbury, despite the latter carrying an age-related weight allowance. Whilst the Henderson charge is one of four four-year-olds that run off this 10st 12lb weight, it is important not to put too much emphasis on it, as this piece of form proves.

That Newbury outing was a listed race which just goes to show that it wouldn`t take much for either of these horses to take the step up to graded level. Buveur D`air is a 7/1 chance at all established bookmakers to reverse the form on Barters Hill today.

Bellshill was last seen finishing 10th in the Cheltenham Festival`s Champion Bumper and comes to Aintree looking to improve on that finish. The five-year-old King`s Theatre charge should find this flatter course preferable and could be well in to compete at the head of affairs, especially with this step down in grade. With a win and a place already recorded in Ireland, both Skybet and sportingbet have 15/2 on the Willie Mullins, Andrea and Graham Wylie collaboration coming up trumps this afternoon in conditions that should suit.

Elsewhere, whilst Armchair Theatre is taking a mighty step up in class, he has both the experience and weight advantage (being ridden by conditional Conor Ring) to make an impression on the race here. The five-year-old is currently unbeaten in 2m bumpers and should feel the benefit of Ring`s 5lb allowance. bet365 have the best price of 16/1 on a victory for Evan Williams` Armchair Theatre.

Of those at even bigger prices, Virnon will be looking to bounce back to form after two finishes outside of the places. Another of the four-year-olds, he can be backed at the best price of 33/1 for Alan Swinbank.

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Any odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of publishing (10/04/2015) but are subject to change.

10/04/2015     © Frixo 2024

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