Charlie McCann's Horse Racing Tips Friday, 6 November - Aintree
It's a busy day of racing action in the UK and Ireland, and Charlie McCann is here with his exclusive free horse racing tips - only at FreeBets.
Charlie McCann's Tips - Thursday, 5 November
2:25pm Aintree - Klimt Madrik (Nap)
Only three got to post for the 3m1f Future Stars Novice Chase transferred to Aintree from Wincanton, but it is a fascinating little contest to be run on ground described as a mix of good to soft and good (watered).
Both Intosomethinggood (Newton Abbot) and Royal Infantry (Hexham) won on chase debut and jumped well over slightly shorter. I never thought Royal Infantry got 3m over hurdles, but this good ground and likely slower pace will put less emphasis on stamina. Dan Skelton has a chance of going through the card with fancied runners in all seven races at the meeting!
KLIMT MADRIK (Nap) receives 5lbs from his two rivals, having finished second in a hot Beginners Chase at Worcester when jumping left at his fences but staying on strongly to the line over 2m4f. The winner was trained by Dan Skelton – who else – so he should know where he stands with Royal Infantry, but the selection receives 5lbs from his two rivals and was the best of these over hurdles.
The selection finished second in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury in December and promises to be well suited by the step up to 3m. One concern in a race that could prove tactical is that you would prefer having Sam Twiston-Davies or Harry Skelton on your side rather than Kevin Brogan. Trainer Toby Lawes has not had a runner since the selection ran at Worcester last month and is taking on two in-form yards, but he has a novice chaser of immense potential, and he gets the vote.
Recommendation: Klimt Madrik (Nap) - 6/4 with bet365
This is Charlie's Nap of the Day selection - see how it stacks up against Alan Kelly's pick too.
3:00pm Aintree - Mirabad
JPR One won the Haldon Gold Cup at its normal home at Exeter back in 2024 and finished third twelve months ago from an 8lbs lower mark. The nine-year-old has a magnificent record, fresh and duly won at Cheltenham last month from a 3lbs lower mark.
He has never won on his second start of the season, although he would have won at Cheltenham in 2023 on his second start of the campaign had he not come down two out. Jonjo O’Neill takes over in the saddle with Brendan Powell currently sidelined, and he looks sure to run his race.
MIRABAD receives 6lbs from the top-weight, and he caused a 50/1 shock when landing the 2m Grade 1 Novice Chase over course and distance back in the spring. The second – Salvator Mundi – subsequently landed the Grade 1 Novice Chase at Punchestown, taking advantage of the fall of stablemate Kopek Des Bordes two out.
I backed Stencil in the Red Rum over course and distance back in the spring, but he was too keen, as he had been at Cheltenham on his previous start in the Jack Richards over an additional half a mile. He is 3lbs out of the handicap, but there is a big engine in the five-year-old, and there is a big race in Tom George’s youngster this season.
Recommendation: Mirabad - 6/4 with Ladbrokes
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3:35pm Aintree - Hold Your Fort (Each-Way)
Here Comes Georgie has been raised 7lbs for his fluent success at Cheltenham on stable debut for Dan Skelton last month. He could be called the winner some way from home if his stamina held, and he was value for more than the winning margin of a length-and-a-quarter. He is a worthy market leader and has run well over shorter from similar marks in the past for his previous yard. He had a hard enough race less than a fortnight ago, however, and at 5/2 I can watch him win in such a competitive 12-runner handicap. It is possible that he will get even shorter depending on the number of winners the Skelton yard have had earlier and what liabilities are building up.
HOLD YOUR FORT (Each-Way) is an exposed 10-year-old running from a career-high mark, but he is race fit and, arguably, ran as well as ever when second at Ffos Las on his most recent start on ground which would have been softer than ideal.
The veteran had previously made all at Uttoxeter from a 4lbs lower mark and Shane Fenelon – who rode at Ffos Las – claims 5lbs this afternoon. There was 20/1 available – 4 places – on Thursday morning, and I thought that was more than fair.
Recommendation: Hold Your Fort (Each-Way) - 20/1 with Betfair (4 places)
4:05pm Aintree - Quaviste
Limier d’Arthel had the third 9l behind when second at Worcester from a 3lbs lower mark when – once again – compromising his chance by pulling too hard in rear. He is potentially much better than a 110-rated hurdler, but he was beaten by Dan Skelton’s Leaumec De Mee, and the vote goes to his stablemate QUAVISTE on seasonal reappearance.
The six-year-old won a Huntingdon Bumper on debut but was a rare disappointment for the Skelton yard last term, although he ended the campaign finishing fourth in the bet365-sponsored Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso, beaten 4l, with the fifth home Laafi a further 5l away.
I mention Laafi as he went on to be first past the post in a conditional jockey’s event at the Grand National meeting under top weight in April before finishing runner-up in the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock the following month.
Skelton has not yet found the key to Quaviste, and he gets the vote although there are no prices available at the time of writing. I will back Limier d’Arthel in-running if Harry Cobden can get his mount to settle over the first couple of flights, but preference is for Quaviste.
Recommendation: Quaviste - 11/4 with bet365
*Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.
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