The horse racing broadcaster has five selections on offer this Saturday as Aintree takes centre stage.
The West Country weekend has become the North West weekend, with the lack of rain at Wincanton and Exeter resulting in some of their feature races being absorbed into an expanded two-day meeting at Aintree.
Aintree had already permanently taken over the Elite Hurdle and renamed it the Molyneux, and it features a clash between one of last season’s improvers in ALEXEI 4/9 (1.45 Aintree) and one of the best novices in Supreme third Mydaddypaddy. The latter suffered a surprise reverse at the track in the Formby, where sun resulted in the omission of all the hurdles up the straight. The forecast thankfully looks set to be cloudy, but Alexei’s greater experience at this stage can prove decisive. Harry Cobden takes the ride after Brendan Powell’s injury during the week, and the race will provide a measure of how good last season’s novices are. The fact there were three involved in the finish that day suggests there is no standout, but Mydaddypaddy did come off worst in the bumping that occurred after the last.
Paul Nicholls is closing in on Martin Pipe’s record number of UK National Hunt winners (two behind at the time of writing) and SANS BRUIT 9/2 (1.15 Aintree) can add another to the tally in the 2m Handicap Chase. He has an excellent record at the track and runs off the same mark of 130 from which he twice won the Red Rum at the National meeting. This represents a lower grade of race, and Jay Tidball takes 5lb off to reduce the weight burden. He definitely has a possible class edge.
Later on at Aintree, DEEP CAVE (EW) 16/1 (3.00 Aintree) looks a big price in the Pertemps Qualifier. Having won over the course and distance in April 2025, he went on to win twice over fences off higher marks, so a rating of 132 looks workable. With the need to now make the first four to qualify for the final, an each-way approach looks the most sensible (watch him finish fourth!).
The final day of the turf Flat season is also part of the ITV4 coverage, and MONTASSIB 15/2 (2.10 Doncaster) can make up for his disappointment in the race 12 months ago. He put himself on the back foot from the start that day when he fly-leapt from the gates, but it is worth remembering he was sent off favourite. This will be the first time this season he gets his preferred cut in the ground. Hopefully Goldmoyne and Elusive Butterfly will set a decent gallop, as that brings Montassib’s hold-up style into play.
Finally, LORD MELBOURNE 9/1 (3.25 Doncaster) bids to win a second November Handicap, having won the race in 2024 under 5lb claimer Jack Doughty. He also finished sixth last year off 103 under Jack Dace, and once again a 5lb claimer has been booked in Harry Vigors. Lord Melbourne had been edging down the ratings until his York second last time out, which hopefully has put him spot on for this repeat bid off a mark 6lb lower than last season.
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