Aintree nap April 9: Shan to make his opponents Blue in Betway Handicap Chase
- Jonathan Doidge
- 9 April 2022
The last race before the Grand National has produced some hard luck stories for jockeys who have missed the big race but hopefully that’s not the case for Harry Skelton, who rides Shan Blue.
Shan Blue is a horse I've always liked and he looks capable of winning now dropping back into handicap company from a mark of 148.
He's been classy enough to win a Grade 1 over fences, when he took last season's Kauto Star at Kempton (3m) and then dropped back to 2m4f when second to Sporting John in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown next time.
He looked all over the winner of the Charlie Hall at Wetherby in October, before crashing out when 20-lengths clear, at the third-last. No one expected much when he was well held at Cheltenham in the Ryanair.
I think Dan Skelton has found a good opportunity here. He's shown several pieces of form that make him look a good thing on these terms, he does well on good to soft ground and I fancy him to pick up this first prize of over £56,000.
So, it's Shan Blue at Aintree on Saturday in the 16:15. Good luck!
