Top Jockey Rides – Aintree Festival Day Two 2019

After a rain sodden day one that gave us some fantastic action, the Aintree Festival moves on to day two. The top-class action continues with four Grade 1 contests, with the Melling Chase headlining the card. We’ve gone through the top jockeys’ book of rides and analysed their chances for Day 2. Our Aintree Festival tips for Day 1 are on site to view now!

Richard Johnson

• Wait For Me (Merseyrail Handicap) – Extremely well-treated on past form, he was last seen unseating his rider in the Pertemps Final at the Festival. He loves a stamina test and is likely vulnerable to a speedier rival over this course an distance.
• Go Another One (Sefton Novices’ Hurdle) – Has the most experience in the race with four wins from twelve hurdling starts, winning a Grade 2 when last seen. That form is nothing special, however, and he looks vulnerable to progressive rivals today.

Nico De Boinville

• Kobrouk (Merseyrail Handicap) – Nicky Henderson has won three of the past six renewals of this race, though this eight-year-old is unlikely to enhance the record. He was smart in France in 2015, but his form tailed off when last seen in 2017 and a watching brief is advised.
• Precious Cargo (Top Novices’ Hurdle) – Winning both his career starts in impressive style, he takes the big step up in class today for Nicky Henderson, who has farmed this race in recent years. He remains completely unexposed and further improvement has to be expected.
• Mr Whipped (Mildmay Novices’ Chase) – Built on a promising chasing debut when scoring at Haydock in December, idling late on. The form of that race is solid and he arrives here fresher than most, but he does need improvement for this big step up in grade, which may prove too much.
• O O Seven (Topham Handicap) – Fourth in this race back in 2017, he was was pulled up in last year’s renewal and despite making a winning reappearance the campaign, he’s been soundly beaten in two subsequent engagements. Softer ground is a negative and despite a workable mark, others look stronger.
• Downtown Getaway (Sefton Novices’ Hurdle) – Has gone off at skinny odds for both his hurdling starts, making heavy weather of making it second-time lucky at Ascot in January. That form doesn’t set the world alight, but he’ll at least relish this step up in trip. Needs to improve plenty for it, however.
• The Cob (Grade 2 Bumper) – Hasn’t run badly in two starts in bumpers, though he remains a maiden. He disappointed when sent off favourite at Uttoxeter last time and faces an uphill task in this company.

Ruby Walsh

• Aramon (Top Novices’ Hurdle) – Fell foul of Itchy Feet when finishing sixth in the Supreme at the Festival, Willie Mullins’ charge hasn’t quite progressed as expected since a Grade 1 win at Leopardstown in December. He’s run to a good enough level to be involved here, however, and couldn’t be discounted.
• Min (Melling Chase) – Lost out in this race twelve months ago in a pulsating finish against Politologue, who reopposes today. He’d won his first two starts of the campaign before disappointing in the Champion Chase when last seen. This trip likely suits better at this stage of his career and no surpise if he bounced back.
• Dewcup (Grade 2 Bumper) – Built on a promising debut effort when beating subsequent Listed winner Blackhillsofdakota at Thurles last month. That form brings him straight into the equation and given Ted Walsh has sent him over from Ireland, he needs considering.

Barry Geraghty

• Canardier (Merseyrail Handicap) – Had subsequent Grade 3 winner Go Another One in behind when landing a novices’ race at Cheltenham in October. He ran with great credit when fifth in the County Hurdle last time and off just a pound higher, he needs respecting.
• Hells Kitchen (Mildmay Chase) – Posted a career-best effort when fourth in the Champion Chase last month. That backed up an empathic handicap win at Ascot, but this quirky sort must continue jumping with vigour, as that can fall to pieces on occasion. He does have plenty to find on form, too.
• Peregrine Run (Topham Handicap) – Looked sure to win at Thurles on his latest start over hurdles before finding nothing on the run-in, back over fences off what looks a very stiff mark in a competitive contest. The National Fences are an unknown and the softer ground is a big negative.
• Champ (Sefton Novices’ Hurdle) – Won the Challow Hurdle at Newbury in December and ran well to finish second in the Ballymore at the Festival subsequently. Three miles raises stamina question marks, however, even at a sharp track. Has the form to be involved but questions to answer.