Saturday’s Selection Aintree

You Gotta Move broke like a scalded cat from stall 11 at Dundalk and Leigh Roche decided to sit just in behind a fairly searching pace. I fully expected him to drop the horse out and come with a late run, but as they turned for home it looked like the new tactics might pay dividends. However, the strong early pace took its toll in the closing stages, and You Gotta Move faded into 4th. It was a frustrating day overall, but hopefully this 18/1 fancy at Aintree can get us back into the winner’s enclosure.

Good ground is essential for Full Cry.

Henry De Bromhead does well on his raids across the Irish Sea, and he has a fascinating contender in the 25f handicap chase at 15.40. Full Cry, a 7yo son of Milan, has won 2 of his 10 chase starts, and his last victory came back in August in a 22f chase at Tramore. He is making his handicap debut off a mark of 138, and he has bits and pieces of form that suggest he could be very well treated.

He split the 140 rated Heron Heights and 155 rated Tiger Roll on his penultimate start at Cheltenham back in October (24.5f gd), 2L behind the winner and almost 3L ahead of festival winner Tiger Roll. He was sent on his Winter break after that fine run and he bombed out on soft ground on his return to action at Thurles in a Listed chase. However, the ground was a valid excuse that day and Full Cry is a different proposition on the sort of ground he gets tomorrow.

He has a brilliant record on good ground or better, and his form figures on such a surface read 162321123. That includes a 2L defeat by 144 rated Colour Squadron, a very useful performer on his day. The good ground will suit at Aintree on Saturday, as will the flatter track. Andrew Lynch, on board for all Full Cry’s wins is in the plate, and his aggressive style suits this horse. Owners, the Garristown Aintree Syndicate are sure to be out in full force, and at odds of 18/1 hopefully Full Cry gives them something to shout about.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 15.40 AINTREE-FULL CRY E/W @ 18/1