Jamie Clark was Sports Editor of Coral bookmakers between 2014 and 2017 during their merger with Labrokes and a key period for the British betting industry. Working as a bookie’s runner on the point to point circuit in the Midlands and at Market Rasen Racecourse where his late godfather had a trackside pitch growing up, he has had ties to horse racing all of his life. A regular visitor to Cheltenham during the National Hunt season and York over the summer, he has been involved in Horsebetting.com since its inception. Jamie now brings you his take on major news stories from the racing world and those all-important betting tips.
Eileendover primed for Nickel Coin Bumper glory
The final race on day one of the Grand National Festival at Aintree is a 2m 1f Grade 2 fillies and mares’ bumper (17:15), and Eileendover has been saved for it. Trained by Pam Sly, the four-year-old daughter of Canford Cliffs has a very speedy pedigree.
Her future probably lies running on the Flat, but connections were keen to try their hand in bumpers. After a 29-length romp over 1m 5f at Huntingdon, Eileendover followed-up with another wide-margin win at Wetherby. She then made a ready step up in trip and class to Listed level at Market Rasen.
Eileendover made smooth and menacing headway at the Lincolnshire track and hit the front approaching two out. From there, she surged clear of her rivals and only needed pushing out for a 6 1/2 lengths victory over previous dual winner Miss Lamb. Although she meets the runner-up off 5lb worse terms, she should still confirm the placings.
There was a further couple of lengths back to Grangee in third, and she has advertised the form since with a Grade 2 victory at the Dublin Racing Festival. Despite the presence of Cheltenham Champion Bumper third Elle Est Belle in the line-up, Eileendover may simply have too much pace for her rivals, so appeals most at 5/4 with William Hill here.
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In the 2m 4f Grade 1 Manifesto Novices’ Chase which kicks off Grand National Festival Thursday (13:45), Hitman may the show the benefit of being saved for this. Trained by Paul Nicholls, the five-year-old shaped very much like this trip would suit him when chasing home Allmankind in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown.
That was just Hitman’s second start in the UK following a 30-length success on his debut over fences at Ffos Las. The Falco gelding then fell when still going well in the Scilly Isles at Sandown, but proved no worse for that tumble when bouncing back in a minor event at Newbury.
Unlike Marsh Novices’ Chase and Arkle runners-up Fusil Raffles and Eldorado Allen, and Paddy Power Plate winner The Shunter, Hitman comes here having skipped the Cheltenham Festival. That looks a major plus. He also has greater scope for further progress than owner companion Protektorat too.
In a renewal of the Grand National Festival Thursday opener where you can make a case for practically every runner, Hitman may just be the best value at 100/30 with 888sport here. He has been unlucky in his two previous starts at the highest level, but could make it third time lucky.
Fiveandtwenty chanced in Grand National Festival Thursday juvenile hurdle
Another supporting race is the 2m 1f Grade 1 Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (14:20). Monmiral, another Nicholls runner like Hitman, has been saved specifically for this. The market suggests this is a match on paper between him and market rival Adagio, who came second in the Triumph at the Cheltenham Festival.
However, I think Donald McCain filly Fiveandtwenty could give both something to think about. A Musselburgh course specialist since switching to hurdles, she is clearly suited by a flat track. Aintree fits the bill, and her handler immediately identified this race following her most recent win.
On official figures, Fiveandtwenty has something to find with the market principals. However, she does get the handy 7lb sex allowance. Adagio had a hard race at Cheltenham and, if you include his run in France before joining David Pipe, this is his seventh start of the season.
Monmiral, meanwhile, hasn’t disappointed as a three-time winning favourite since coming over to the UK. Favourite backers may be rewarded, but he’s no value at odds-on. I’m siding with Fiveandtwenty each-way at 16/1 with Betfred, even though only six run here. The form of her New Year’s Day success has been advertised by the runner-up, Herbiers.
That one has scored on two of his next three starts, including a valuable juvenile handicap at Ascot. This demands more, but Fiveandtwenty is well worth a crack at this level. Champion jockey Brian Hughes is again on board and the yard have been among the winners of late, so everything looks in place for a big run.
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