Aintree – Saturday 6th November

As far as the ante-post picks from earlier in the week go, it’s so far so good. Now it’s just the easy part – the race itself, and the fact that one or two of the selections have to go and do the job!

Having recommended Spyglass Hill and Thomas MacDonagh at 16/1 and 22/1 for the Grand Sefton at 2.15 at Aintree today on Monday, current best prices of 11/1 and 9/1 about them respectively look more than fair still, especially given the well-backed Five Star Getaway has just been taken out.

If I were to have a bet at the current prices, it would still be Spyglass Hill and Thomas MacDonagh at 11/1 and 9/1 with Paddy Power, for five places each-way.

As for the other race that was under the microscope on Wednesday, if you took the 8/1 about both Cap Du Nord and Hurricane Harvey for the Badger Beers Chase at 3.00 at Wincanton today, then you’d be in good shape it seems.

Given they are now 9/2 and 5/1 a piece, if there was to be another arrow to fire now, it would be old pal Some Chaos, who at 9/1 with Paddy Power for five places each-way, will love the fast ground and can make the most of a slightly depleted field.

But equally, I’m more than happy to stick with the two improving young chasers, Cap Du Nord and Hurricane Harvey.

Elsewhere today, I had a good look at the 1.25 at Doncaster, but the top four in the market are the horses that made the shortlist, so no bet there.

While the Wentworth Stakes at 2.00 looks a good set-up for Ainsdale to bounce back to form, but he’s been well found in the market over the last 24 hours, so again, it might be best to sit that one out. While the November Handicap looks a real minefield.

All that means there is one extra bet today, and that comes in the Betway Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at 1.40 at Aintree. Having given both Jamie Snowden’s runners in the Grand Sefton 35 minutes later positive mentions, I’ll be hoping he and his team are saddling them up with the glow of having just had a winner.

Kiltealy Briggs is 5/1 with Bet365, Sky Bet and BetVictor, and is a very solid option each-way to put to good use his wealth of chasing experience, in a race full of chasing debutants or those who have only a limited number of runs over the bigger obstacles.

A novice hurdle campaign two seasons ago yielded plenty, but it was always over fences that Kiltealy Briggs was going to flourish, and the fact that he has yet to get his head in front in five starts over fences, belies the promise he has shown, having been granted some stiff tasks.

In his novice runs, he was only beaten by Whoshotthesheriff and then Allart and Fiddlerontheroof in a Grade 2, before having excuses on his two handicap starts after that last season. Kiltealy Briggs didn’t quite stay 3m on heavy ground at Sandown, and then ran a good race at the Cheltenham Festival on ground livelier than ideal.

Fresh from a lovely seasonal bow at Uttoxeter, where he looked the winner for a long way, but just faded late, that run will put him spot on for an assignment that will suit him down to the ground. Funny I should say that, as the ground being on the softer side is one of the reasons I like his chances, and any further rain will be welcomed.

At 5/1 each-way, Kiltealy Briggs is the bet today, alongside cheering on the ante-post picks previously mentioned.