Two runners tomorrow on the first day of Aintree’s Grand National Meeting. In the first race Cloudy Dream bids to follow up his cracking run at Cheltenham in the 2m 4F Manifesto Novices Chase. Like all Grade 1 chases it is a strong race with plenty of horses coming into it in form. On RP and official ratings he has a great chance and with his hurdle wins coming over 2m 3f you would not be overly worried about the trip. Double W’s drops back in trip having failed to stay the extra half mile at Cheltenham. We were surprised about this as he looked like he would so hopefully they will go a strong pace as he travels well and he will be galloping at the line.
La Dama De Hierro jumped very well today but she will be stepped up to 3 miles next time if on better ground. Spiculas was possibly a bit unlucky as the only mistake he made was at the final fence and it cost him some momentum. He was giving a bit of weight to a horse that arrived in great form so he may not have won but he would have been closer given he picked up again towards the line. The stiffer two miles seemed to suit him. Kick On Dottie made a pleasing start to her career. She was unbalanced down the hill but stayed on well once meeting rising ground and just got tired in the final furlong and a half. She will probably need a month.