I’m a big fan of TOWER BRIDGE, who runs for Joseph O’Brien in the three-mile Grade 1 novices’ hurdle, the penultimate race of Aintree’s Friday card.
He was a good fifth in the Albert Bartlett after clattering the last and would have hated the ground that day, so there are plenty of positives – not to mention his Grade 1 win on his previous start at Leopardstown.
Though things remain soft at Aintree with more rain forecast, the ground is nicer than Cheltenham and I suspect the flatter track will take a little of the emphasis off stamina for this.
As a half-brother to Altior and with a flat pedigree, I suspect there is some potential class to be unlocked on just his fifth start over hurdles.
His J P McManus-owned teammate Ok Corral is a third of the price and I’m not sure that’s fully deserved as he had the run of the race at Cheltenham when finishing second in the same race.
Similar comments apply to Santini, the 9/4 favourite who was also just two places ahead of the selection in the Albert Bartlett.
Now there’s every chance that form won’t hold up as it’s always such a gruelling race, which can leave a mark, but it does remain the best form on offer and many of the market principles re-oppose.
1pt each-way Tower Bridge @10/1, 16:40 Aintree, Friday (1/4, 1,2,3 with Bet365)
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