Sportsmail's racing expert Robin Goodfellow dishes out his tips for day one of the Aintree Festival featuring the Betway Bowl Chase.
Bristol De Mai, Clan Des Obeaux and Kemboy feature in a six-strong field for the Betway Bowl
AINTREE
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
1.45 La Bague Au Roi
2.20 Pentland Hills
2.50 Bristol De Mai
3.25 Buveur D’Air
4.05 Burning Ambition
4.40 Diego Du Charmil (nap)
5.15 Miss Heritage
GIMCRACK
1.45 Glen Forsa
2.20 Band of Outlaws
2.50 Kemboy (nap)
3.25 Buveur D’Air
4.05 Road To Rome (nb)
4.40 Lady Buttons
5.15 Miss Heritage
NORTHERNER – 4.05 Road To Rome (nap); 4.40 Cracking Find (nb).
2.20: DOOM BAR JUVENILE HURDLE
There’s every chance both PENTLAND HILLS and Band Of Outlaws will develop into serious Champion Hurdle contenders next season and it is a tough call which, if either, will emerge on top.
The former recovered magnificently from a first-flight blunder in the Triumph Hurdle (Adjali 7th) to win with plenty in hand and is marginally preferred over the Joseph O’Brien-trained duo, Band Of Outlaws and Fakir D’oudairies who both arrive courtesy of fine efforts at Cheltenham.
Band Of Outlaws exploited an attractive mark in the Boodles Handicap (Fanfan Du Seuil 5th) and wouldn’t have been out of place in the Triumph, while Fakir D’oudairies was 11 lengths adrift in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle after losing his position following traffic problems at the top of the hill. Song For Someone is also a smart prospect and could be overpriced.
BEST BET: PENTLAND HILLS
MAIN DANGER: BAND OF OUTLAWS
2.50: BETWAY BOWL CHASE
Given that four of the past five winners had won that season’s King George Chase, fans of Clan Des Obeaux will be optimistic the seven-year-old can reverse Gold Cup placings with BRISTOL DE MAI.
A return to a flat track and a shorter trip should play to the strengths of Clan Des Obeaux who battled on manfully at Cheltenham, but found the war of attrition too much, eventually finishing fifth.
He travelled well for much of that race and the dynamics of Liverpool should be a more suitable fit for a horse which displays so much speed.
Bristol De Mai was somewhat of a surprise package in the Gold Cup, given he moved as powerfully as any of his rivals until two fences from home, and he is afforded the opportunity to confirm there is a future for him away from his beloved Haydock.
He ran in this contest last year — like four of the last eight winners — giving a bold sight in front until worn down by an in-form Might Bite. He tenaciously saw off a number of challengers that day, including Clan Des Obeaux, and is narrowly preferred to his old adversary
BEST BET: BRISTOL DE MAI
DANGER: CLAN DES OBEAUX
3.25: BETWAY AINTREE HURDLE
Nicky Henderson has saddled four of the last eight winners of this race and he will be hopeful BUVEUR D’AIR can make amends for an early exit from last month’s Champion Hurdle.
It was too early to suggest the selection may have completed an historic hat-trick in the blue riband event, but he possesses a golden opportunity to repeat his victory of two years ago here and claim his third course win from
