Horse Racing Tips: Matt Hulmes’ best bets for Day 2 at Aintree

Ladies Day at Aintree is always an occasion to behold and it looks like the action on the track will be just as dazzling as the outfits in the stands.

Betfred TV's Matt Hulmes previews what is sure to be an action-packed Friday at Aintree.

13:45 - Iroko @ 7/2

Six go to post for the G1 Mildmay Novices Chase with three stepping up from handicap company and three who have been campaigned in top novice contests this season.

Inothewayurthinkin and Chianti Classico could hardly have been more impressive at Cheltenham when landing the Kim Muir and Ultima respectively and are very progressive. I have a soft spot for the latter who did us a good turn on the opening day, but I equally have one for IROKO and he gets the vote.

IROKO has only run twice over fences. He was injured following a debut success at Warwick and having originally been ruled out for the season, he made a quicker than expected recovery and went to Cheltenham for the Turners. He travelled well and jumped beautifully, but was outpaced by the duelling leaders and wasn’t given a hard time in finishing fifth.

It was noted how strongly he stayed up the hill though and going back up to three miles (third in the G1 three mile novice hurdle here last year) will suit. He was a very progressive hurdler and his short chasing career can take off this afternoon.

14:20 - Jango Baie @ 12/1

Dan Skelton is aiming a big party at this handicap hurdle in his quest for vital prize money ahead of his trainers’ title tilt, as he saddles five of the 22 starters.

Kateira is the choice of Harry Skelton who was second to Irish Point in Grade 1 company at this meeting last year. On that form, a mark of 136 looks incredibly lenient and if she is in the same heart, the rest will need to up their game. However, she hasn’t been at her best so far this campaign, but showed more at Kempton last month and she wouldn’t be the first from the yard to improve for the warmer weather of the spring.

Making Headway has lived up to his name this season, finishing fourth in the Imperial Cup as a novice, while Theatre Man goes back over hurdles after an early tumble at Cheltenham and Champagne Twist is another novice who ran well at Sandown when runner-up in the EBF Final.

However, JANGO BAIE is already a grade 1 winner at Aintree having landed the Formby on Boxing Day and ran a solid second when trying to concede 5lb to Grade 1 bound Personal Ambition (runs 2.55) at Kelso early last month, when the stable was clearly under a cloud. The trip and ground hold no fears for another lightly raced novice and his handicap mark looks workable for Henderson who won this race in 2015 & 2017.

14:55 - Golden Ace @ 10/1

A brilliant renewal of the Top Novices Hurdle where half the field were on show at Cheltenham and we hope all eight make it to the start for three each-way places.

Mystical Power looked to be outstayed up the hill when second in the Supreme Novices Hurdle and although this speed test will suit better, a greater emphasis will be placed on his sketchy jumping here with three flights in the home straight.

Firefox was arguably unlucky not to be a lot closer and many will fancy him to turn that form around while Mistergif was well backed in the run-up the Festival opener and was for from disgraced and is considered under Paul Townend.

However, the mares could be the pair to focus on after finishing first and second in the Mares’ Bumper here last season.

Dysart Enos missed the Festival after a late injury and many bemoaned that after her victim here at Aintree, GOLDEN ACE duly went onto win well. However, Jeremy Scott’s mare has clearly improved plenty and quotes of around 10/1 mean she is very viable each-way play in this contest.

She beat the very well regards Brighterdaysahead (runs here Saturday) when travelling well and was last of the bridle to win decisively. The manner of victory has seemingly been overlooked and in receipt of a valuable 7lb, she has to be backed.

15:30 - Pic D'Orhy @ 7/2

The 1-2-3 from the Ryanair Chase reoppose in the Melling Chase and you’d be hard pressed to argue against them finishing in the same order where Protektorat battled on to beat Envoi Allen by four lengths with Conflated a further three lengths back, although cheekpieces are put on the third home for the first in an attempt to close the gap. He appeals each-way at a double-figure price for those paying three places, however there are two big opponents turning up.

Jonbon has been campaigned exclusively at two miles but has always likely to be just as good if not better upped in trip and here is his chance to prove it. However, he was another of Nicky Henderson’s forced to miss Cheltenham and he was beaten in the Clarence House Chase when his jumping left something to be desired.

Preference is for last year’s winner PIC D’ORHY despite this being a stronger renewal. Last year, he prevented Fakir D’Oudaires form landing a hat-trick in this race sticking on well in soft ground, conditions that seemingly hold no problem for him.

He made all in the Ascot Chase last time too, making six wins form his last eight starts and these two-and-a-half mile races are his bag. Paul Nicholls hasn’t got much ammunition at this year’s festivals, but this fellow could be an important winner for Team Ditcheat.

16:05 - Your Darling @ 8/1

The Grand National fences are in action for the Topham Chase, the days big betting race.

Ben Pauling had a setback on Thursday with the removal of some his top performers from his yard, but compensation can follow here courtesy of YOUR DARLING.

The 9yo is very lightly raced and is at his very best when fresh, as proving when romping to Ascot success back in November after four months off the track. Connections immediately nominated this race as his next target, giving him 140 days off and despite this career high mark, he always promised plenty and this usually safe jumper looks to have plenty in his favour to land a decent pot.

Bill Baxter is just 1lb higher than winning last year's contest and this looks to have been the aim since. I fancied him last time at Newbury but he was very lacklustre, enough to put me off at a much shorter price this year. Fantastic Lady followed him home last season and yet is 2lb worse off 12 months on.

Life in the Park was less than three lengths behind Shakem Up'arry at the Cheltenham Festival and could turn the form around with the winner who bids for the hat-trick and is a stable companion of the selection, while Arizona Cardinal is another hat-trick seeker who has finally got his act together, although this is tougher than his recent assignments.

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