Nic Doggett provides the best bets from around the tracks this Friday, including an Aintree Nap.
Thursday selections
DETAIN – 7.30 Chelmsford (NAP)
This looks a cracking race and one in which DETAIN is strongly fancied to get back on the up in.
He looked a colt of considerable promise when winning his first two starts over seven furlongs at Kempton last season, overcoming considerable greenness on his debut, displaying a fine turn of foot to settle matters in the straight without his rider being overly hard on him.
That form worked out well and he backed up that performance with another striking display under a penalty, moving through his race with plenty of zest and readily quickening clear in the style of a very smart colt.
It is easy to overlook his final start in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster which was run on ground Timeform described as heavy and he blatantly didn’t handle conditions.
Detain is entered in the 2000 Guineas and Dante Stakes, so connections clearly have high hopes for him, and he is fully expected to confirm himself an exciting prospect on his return to action.
Friday selections
- Helnwein - 2.20 Aintree to place (7 places)
- Romeo Coolio - 2.55 Aintree to WIN
- Marble Sands - 4.05 Aintree to place (7 places)
DANCING CITY - 1.45 Aintree (NAP)
DANCING CITY was easy to back prior to disappointing in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham last month, leading until a mistake three out, but his earlier performances over fences suggest that is likely to be a temporary blip.
An emphatic winner of the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at this meeting 12 months ago, where he was given a more patient ride, I expect Paul Townend to bide his time more than the horse’s last two starts and he should get a good tow into the race from the likes of Handstands, Caldwell Potter, The Changing Man and the mare Don’t Rightly Know, all of whom have made the running before.
The Donnellys clearly target this meeting (44% strike-rate with four winners from nine runners) and Dancing City is fancied to give Willie Mullins a first win in the race.
QUEENS ROAD REVUE – 2.40 Leicester
Considering she went on to win over C&D in July, QUEENS ROAD REVUE did well to finish as close as she did on her reappearance last season when four lengths fourth to Brumell (who is now rated 13 lb higher) over five furlongs at Beverley.
The Tim Easterby-trained mare followed up her win here with success back at Beverley a month later and looks to have ideal conditions for her return to action. She is only 2 lb higher than for that success and if she can avoid a slow start then she could make a winning return under a promising young rider.
MISS SHOW OFF – 3.05 Bath
MISS SHOW OFF represents a Clive Cox yard that has its horses in good form at present, recording an 18% strike-rate in March, and the Showcasing filly can add to that with a good run in this competitive sprint handicap.
She was a neck away from making a successful debut in May 2023, when sent off at 16/1, and then was only beaten by three quarters of a length (at 20/1) when fourth to Good Earth at Sandown last August following a 422-day absence.
Clearly capable of running well fresh, she might be straighter than Regal Envoy who took a few runs to get going last season.
BUST A MOON - 6.20 Southwell
Sent off the well-supported 15/8 favourite, the former Eve Jonson Houghton-trained BUST A MOON made a promising start for David Evans when runner-up at Chelmsford last week and can go one better off from the same mark (3 lb higher in future).
The Rumble Inthejungle gelding is out of a five-furlong winner and showed plenty of speed last week when only beaten a neck by a horse who could prove much better than his opening handicap mark, so should cope with this drop in trip and he can shoulder top-weight to victory.
WATCH: RELIVE THE CLOSEST GRAND NATIONAL OF ALL TIME!
The 2012 Grand National was the closest in history and winning jockey Daryl Jacob relives his emotions during this fascinating interview complete with thrilling race footage.
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2025 winners
- Jackpot Cash evens
- La Dolce Dolly 5/4 (NAP)
- City Of Delight 13/2 (NAP)
- Godwinson 15/2 (NAP)
- Tuco Salamanca (5/6)
- Siam Park 13/8
- Media Mogul 85/40 (NAP)
- Star Legend 3/1
- Kalium 8/1 (NAP)
- Leave Of Absence 9/4 (NAP)
- Regarde 5/2
- Gemmari 11/4 (NAP)
- Timetoshine 9/4
- Tuco Salamanca 7/4
- Jagwar 3/1 (NAP)
- Penzance 3/1
- Youdecide 15/8
- Pururhandstogether 17/2 (NAP)
- The Organiser 6/5
- Skin Full 13/8
- Millie Supreme 9/2
- Heads Or Harps 11/8
- Party Vibes 7/2
- I See The Sea 2/1
- Le Tiep's Sacre 100/30
- Born In The West 2/1 (NAP)
- Awaythelad 9/2
- Charmaine 2/1 (NAP)
- Henrysbrotherjack 11/8 (NAP)
- Outer Banks 9/1
- Elterwater 5/2
- Glen Buck 10/11 (NAP)
- Teddy Blue 7/2 (NAP)
- Ray Gun 18/5
- Sun Keeper 5/1
- Jackpot Cash 3/1 (NAP)
- Arcadian Nights 100/30
- Leadenhall Street 5/4 (NAP)
- Pic D'Orhy 9/5
- Golden Ace 6/5
- Myretown 5/2 (NAP)
- Apiarist 11/2
- Sainte Doctor 4/1
- Plage De Lavre 5/4
- Aviemore 4/1
- Rey De La Batalla 11/2
- New Found Fame 6/1
- Pilgrims King 5/1
- Saint Anapolino 10/3
- Blue Anthem 5/1
- Buzz Box 5/2
- Dance In The Storm 8/11
- Northern Cracksman 9/4
- Kylian 9/4
- Sol Cayo 2/1
- George's Lad 10/11
- Beauty Generation 15/8
- Komedy Kicks 11/4 (NAP)
- Our Havana 6/1
- Manara 2/1
- Jimmy Knocker 13/2
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