Donald McCain Aintree 2019 Preview – Friday

I have my first runners of the week at Aintree with Mount Mews on a retrieval mission in the first and I run a very likeable horse in the bumper. Both horses have but of chances but I’m going in hope more than anything.

This is a great festival where we as a family has obviously had a lot of success. I’ll have more runners and views on Saturday so make sure to come back to hear my exclusive insights.

Merseryrail Handicap Hurdle – Esprit Du Large

I run Mount Mews in this and it’s fair to say we were devastated at Cheltenham where he refused to race. I’m not quite sure what happened to him that day but he got very upset. So it’s just a case of making sure he gets away tomorrow and go from there. I’m not he really wants heavy ground but he’s in-between trips so that might suit him.

I’m not entirely convinced that Brio Conti goes on soft ground and in general the Irish horses seem to cope better with it. I like the chances of Evan’s horse Esprit Du Large who’s won on soft ground and wasn’t disgraced behind Mister Fisher in a Grade 2 recently.

Top Novices’ Hurdle – Felix Desjy

I know a lot of people will fancy Itchy Feet to win here but I find it very hard to weigh up that race. I’d just be slightly wary of this form at the moment.

I’ll take a chance on Felix Desjy for Gordon here. He ran well in the Supreme and has winning form on soft. He needs to find some improvement but must have a chance.

Mildmay Novices’ Chase – Topofthegame

I really loved the way Topofthegame travelled and quickened well to win in the RSA when beating Santini and I won’t desert him now. I know Paul has always liked him and despite the presence of Colin’s horse, he looks like the best horse in the field.

The Melling Chase – Politologue

I’m going for a Paul Nicholls’ double here with Politologue who took this 12 months ago and if anything has looked a better horse this season. That run behind Altior in the Champion Chase is good enough to win this and he’ll do for me.

Topham Chase – Call It Magic

I really liked the run of Call It Magic over these fences back in December fences and in what looks a very open race he’s the one I’ll put up. He only has to 10 stone which will be a bog help on the soft condition and should give a good account of himself.

Sefton Novices’ Hurdle – Lisnagar Oscar

Champ is a horse I have always liked and with a name like that he must have always shown something at home. The issue I have with here is, will he go on the ground? I’m of the opinion that he won’t and it’s worth looking elsewhere.

Of the others it’s Lisnagar Oscar that catches my eye, he’s looked very progressive this year, should go on the ground and must go close.

Weatherbys NH Flat Race –Master Debonair

Onthefrontfoot my sole runner in this and he’s a smashing little horse. He’s a nice, honest, straightforward horse that will run respectably. I don’t think he’d want to ground too deep but he’s a horse we are going to have a lot of fun with.

I think you need a battle-hardened horse as a lot of these inexperienced horses will get lost on this ground. I know Master Debonair got well stuffed at Cheltenham in the Champion Bumper but this doesn’t look as strong a race and that experience will stand to him.

Other Runner:

Graceland
Track: Sedgefield – 2:40
Jockey: Will Kennedy

She’s got to have a chance, she wasn’t a bad mare on the flat and ran pretty well the last day. She wouldn’t want too much rain to fall but she’s fit and ready to go.