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Updated: 30th March 2010 - GG.com

Punter's Diary For April

April's arrival can mean only thing for punters and that is a rash of Grand Nationals with the Aintree, Scottish and Irish equivalents all taking place within 12 days of each other in April.

If that wasn't enough to whet the racing appetite, the turf Flat season steps up a gear with Newmarket's ever informative two-day Craven meeting in the middle of the month. Fairyhouse is the first course to land a blow for the succession of Nationals when the tricky right-handed course stages the Irish version on April 5. As ever the 3m 5f contest has a wide-open feel to it but perhaps there might be some mileage in sticking with Saddlers Storm and Becauseicouldntsee.

Imperial Commander
© racing-images.co.uk

A few days later Aintree's three-day bonanza of top-class racing clips into top gear with its opening day on April 8. Pride of place goes to the Totesport Bowl Chase where Gold Cup hero Imperial Commander bids to follow-up his fine victory at the Cheltenham festival. Something of a one-trick performer in that he tends to win all his races at Cheltenham, Imperial Commander may well have his work cut out trying to defeat a fresh and progressive What A Friend around this vastly different circuit.

Escort'men

On the same day Paul Nicholls could be a in for a red letter afternoon if the mightily impressive Sanctuaire lands the 4yo Novices' Hurdle, Big Buck's again gets the better of Time For Rupert in the Liverpool Hurdle and The Nightingale lands the Manifesto Novices' Chase though he would face stern opposition in the shape of Somersby but the poor form of that one's stable is an enduring cause for concern.

On the second day the highlight has to be the Melling Chase where Kalahari King could clash with Albertas Run thus bringing into play a conflict of form lines from the festival courtesy of the Queen Mother and Ryanair Chases. The daunting Aintree fences come into play for the Topham Chase where the upwardly mobile Ballabriggs should go well for Donald McCain while in the Top Novices' Hurdle, the exciting Escort'men should be hard to beat.

April 10 sees the Grand National tower over the rest of the day's racing and once again the Phil Smith handicapping era has ushered in another devilishly difficult race to solve for punters. Any number of horses can be fancied and from a betting perspective this is no longer a race to take seriously. As ever the Irish field a strong challenge and the appealing trio of Backstage, Ballyholland and Arbor Supreme are all capable of winning the great race and boosting Ireland's wonderful National record. Big Fella Thanks looks the best and likeliest winner from the domestic challenge.

Newmarket's Craven meeting follows swiftly on Aintree's heels with the Nell Gwyn and Craven Stakes on April 14 and 15 respectively, signaling the time for Classic aspirants to throw their hats into the ring for the real thing back at Newmarket on the first weekend in May. Headquarters also hosts the Free Handicap on April 14 and the Richard Hannon-trained Quadrille is a strong fancy to boost his Classic claims in this contest.

At the end of Craven week Ayr stages the two-day Scottish National meeting and the marathon chase occupies pride of place in the West coast of Scotland's racing calendar on April 17. Scottish-trained Silver By Nature would be a popular winner for Kinross-based handler Lucinda Russell, who might also face a tough opponent in Cumbria's Chief Dan George.

Canford Cliffs
© racing-images.co.uk

Over at Newbury Richard Fahey's new acquisition Irish Heartbeat will be a popular fancy in the Spring Cup after landing the Doncaster equivalent on Lincoln day while Canford Cliffs will be the main talking point in the Greenham Stakes. Richard Hannon's star two-year-old will be bidding to show that he is a bona fide 2,000 Guineas contender.

The curtain falls on April's fantastic month of action with the traditional jumps and Flat card at Sandown on April 23 and 24. Twist Magic should redeem his tattered reputation back at his favourite course in the Celebration Chase while the day's feature contest the Bet365 Chase has a wide open feel and perhaps The Package might be the likeliest victor as long as he sidesteps a tilt at the Grand National earlier in the month.

Malcolm Heyhoe writes weekly horse racing articles for GG.COM-Horse racing betting, information, news, results and free daily tips

Archive March 2010