On The Hunt For Profit

I must admit that I'm hugely looking forward to today's action at Aintree, but after finding that my intended bet in the Topham, Last Time d'Albain had collapsed in price last night, I've had to have a rethink about today's selections. Most of the likeliest winners at Liverpool are now too short to recommend, and I'm heading to the away meetings for a bit of value.

One of the dubious pleasures of my job is writing up plenty of hunter chases, and that's been the case again today, where Sedgefield stage a couple of such events. The difficulty most punters have in assessing (or even accessing) point to point form means that those who specialise in this type of race can gain an edge which isn't easy to find elsewhere, and hopefully that will be to our advantage today.

The 15:55 at Sedgefield is a novice event in which the majority of the field have very little ability, and several of those with form have disappointed between the flags of late (Gin Cobbler and Green de Ciel), leaving only 3 with realistic claims. Of that trio, recent Catterick winner Killary Bay was arguably flattered by being able to dominate a messy affair, and has been beaten in a point since, albeit behind a useful rival. He has claims, but may well be overbet as the only recent Rules winner.

Both Pas de Baratin and Soleil d'Avril are dual winners in the pointing field this spring, and the pair ran on the same Friar's Haugh card last month, the former winning well and the latter a good second in a stronger race, in which he achieved a significantly faster time, and that despite carrying more weight. Soleil d'Avril is also likely to be suited by the way this race is run, with Pas de Baratin a free-going sort who his jockey couldn't hold last time. If he is given his head up front with Killary Bay, then there is a real chance that the pair will cut each other's throats, and leave the way open for the patiently-ridden selection to pick up the pieces.

The concluding contest is a much stronger affair, and one which Special Portrait won last year as part of a 4-timer culminating with success over 33f at Cheltenham in May. He hasn't been in the same form this winter, but may well have won at Carlisle last time but for falling 4 out when in a narrow lead. Given that the runner-up that day was able to win yesterday's Fox Hunters' Chase at Aintree, it seems prudent to take a positive view of the form.

The biggest stumbling block for the Mark Hughes-trained grey is the concession of weight to his rivals, but the booking of promising 7-lb claimer Paddy Gerety (regular rider of top hunter Cottage Oak) is a bonus, as is the defection of likely favourite Cool Mission. Sarah Easterby is represented by the talented Be There In Five, placed in the NH Chase at Cheltenham in 2011, but he's failed to complete more often than not since, including in a point over this trip last month. The main danger is probably Pistolet Time, who has rejoined Caroline Crow after a spell with Anne Hewitt, for whom he was second to the useful That's Rhythm at Bangor a year ago.

At Leicester, a couple have caught my eye, including the much-maligned Magic City (16:05). He will never live up to the huge promise of his juvenile debut win, but is finally on a workable mark, and was much better than the bare result at Ascot on his latter start in 2012. He faces a much easier task today, and ought to go very close.

Recommendations:

Back Soleil d'Avril in the 15:55 Sedgefield @ [4.6] (NAP)

Back Special Portrait in the 17:35 Sedgefield @ [3.65] (NB)

Back Magic City in the 16:05 Leicester @ [5.2]