The Inside Track

Friday 13^th April
Aintree
3.05 Poquelin 1pt win 8/1 Bet Fred and Tote, 15/2 Paddy and Bet 365
A hot race but I'm keen to take on the favourite as I think he may be vulnerable at this trip and may not be at his peak after his Cheltenham exertions.  Albertas Run loves this time of year and is sure to give a good account of himself but I like the look of Poquelin at a big price.
He was travelling well when unseating in the Paddy Power Gold Cup early on in the season and faced an impossible task when trying to concede the best part of a stone and a half to the Giant Bolster last time out. He ran on really well to take second in that race under top weight and the 4th and 5th have since gone on to win. He was a late withdrawal at Cheltenham and that could prove to be a blessing as he arrives here fresh and should go well with Ruby Walsh back in the saddle.
Leicester
330 Gouray Girl 1pt win 9/1 Paddy, 8/1 Generally
Gouray Girl wouldn’t be the first horse that improves for the switch from the Walter Swinburn stable.  If the change of scenery has worked the oracle, then she arrives today as a very well handicapped horse.
Her best performance to date was when winning a 7 furlong handicap at Newbury, in soft ground off a mark of 89. She turns up today off a mark of 83, and has her optimum conditions.   The Henry Candy stable have had a quiet start to the season, this being just their 3^rd runner of the year, but they are more than capable of getting one ready first time out.