AINTREE TIPS – DAY TWO: Fakir D'oudairies can land third win
AINTREE TIPS – DAY TWO: Fakir D’oudairies can bounce back from Ascot blip to land third successive win in the Marsh Chase, while the long straight should suit Inthepocket
- Joseph O’Brien’s Fakir D’oudairies headlines nine entries in Marsh Chase
- There are 20 entries for the Grade One Poundland Top Novices’ Hurdle
- Click here for the latest Grand National news, schedule and race results
There are three Grade One races on day two of the Grand National meeting at Aintree.
Joseph O’Brien’s Fakir D’oudairies headlines nine entries as he goes in search of a third successive win in the Marsh Chase at Aintree on Friday.
O’Brien made the decision to keep the eight-year-old old fresh for his hat-trick bid and did not run him at Cheltenham.
There are 20 entries for the Grade One Poundland Top Novices’ Hurdle, headed by Henry De Bromhead’s Inthepocket.
Here, Sportsmail’s SAM TURNER picks out his best bets and main dangers for the TV races on Friday.
Fakir D’oudairies headlines nine entries in the Marsh Chase at Aintree on Friday
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
1.45 Gerri Colombe
2.20 Dargiannini
2.55 Inthepocket
3.30 Fakir D’Oudairies
4.05 Ashtown Lad
4.40 Maximilian (nap)
5.15 Ukantango (nb)
GIMCRACK
1.45 Complete Unknown
2.20 Playful Saint
2.55 Hullnback
3.30 Pic D’Orh y (nap)
4.05 Demachine
4.40 Maximilian (nb)
5.15 Go Dante
2.20
DARGIANNINI has recorded two career bests since being switched to his current handler and the recent rain should be no inconvenience to his chances of victory.
MAIN DANGER:
FENNOR CROSS was highly tried at Cheltenham, tackling the Supreme Novices Hurdle, and could be interesting now he is upped in trip on his handicap debut.
2.55
INTHEPOCKET was tapped for toe when the pace quickened in the Supreme Novices but stuck to his task gamely to claim fourth place and this long straight should suit.
MAIN DANGER:
STRONG LEADER was a further 6 lengths behind the selection at Cheltenham but has previously proved his effectiveness at this venue and might surprise a few of these at a decent price.
3.30
FAKIR D’OUDAIRIES has captured the previous two renewals of this event and is reported fresh and well following his Ascot blip when below par behind Shishkin. The first-time cheekpieces look an interesting move.
MAIN DANGER:
HITMAN was runner-up in this race last year and again acquitted himself in the Ryanair Chase so is hard to write off at a venue which suits.
4.05
ASHTOWN LAD handled these fences well when winning the Becher Chase before Christmas and his handicap mark has been preserved by two hurdle outings since.
MAIN DANGER:
GESSKILLE has been unfortunate not to win on his two outings over the National fences, finishing runner-up twice, and looks sure to run well once more.
4.40
MAXIMILIAN beat Stay Away Fay at Doncaster and wisely bypassed Cheltenham in preference for a tilt at this event so looks likely to give a good account.
MAIN DANGER:
ABSOLUTE NOTIONS boasts good quality form behind Inthepocket at Naas so victory for his former rival earlier in the day would advertise his chance in this.
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