‘The Irish are coming’ – two raiders to watch in the betting at Aintree on Sunday

Irish trainers John McConnell and James Nash are sending one runner each all the way to Aintree Racecourse on Sunday. Given the expense for fuel at the moment, it will cost a hefty sum to get these horses across to the English track so they aren’t going for the fun of it, that’s for sure. Best of luck if you do have a bet on the horse and remember to always only bet what you can afford to lose.

1.30 Aintree

John McConnell sends Riggs over to take his chance in the extended three mile handicap hurdle for conditional riders. 5lb claimer Thomas Reilly will do the steering on this horse, who has been running pretty well in defeat of late. He finished third to Macgiloney in a competitive Listowel handicap in September, before finishing fourth at Gowran Park, travelling very well through his race but didn’t quite see it out. This flatter track should play to his strengths and he has a squeak, for all this is a much stronger assignment for the horse.

2.05 Aintree

Far from being the most prolific of trainers, Irish trainer James Nash is still a good trainer and he sends Forza Milan to take his chance in the 3m1f veteran’s handicap chase. The 10 year old has only run twice this year, and those runs resulted in him being pulled up and tailed off, so yes he needs to find enormous improvement to figure in this. Interestingly, he ran twice at Cheltenham in the last couple of years and ran pretty big races, so if he can recapture his very best, he could be a bit of value at the prices, but overall his profile is sketchy so be cautious.

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