Aintree racing tips: Champagne Twist and Inthewaterside get the each-way nod in wide-open handicap

14:20 - William Hill Handicap Hurdle (2 miles 4 furlongs)

There will certainly be plenty among the 21 starters who will be fancying their chances of landing this wide-open renewal, and we could probably make a case for half of them, not least the Skelton yard’s well fancied early favourite, Kateira, and the promising Making Headway, who is expected to go well under bottom weight.

Planet Sport Bet: Bet £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if Theatre Man finishes in the first 4 places, get a £5 Free Bet!

Ocastle Des Mottes could also have a big say for the Willie Mullins-Paul Townend partnership, but with six places widely available (as many as seven if you look in the right places), our friends down the corridor in the Tipstrr office have gravitated towards the each-way value offered by a couple of decent-looking mid-market options.

First to catch their attention is Champagne Twist, whose hurdling career has got off to a promising start under the discerning eye of in-form trainer Ben Pauling.

November’s promising fourth place on career debut improved to a runner-up spot at Cheltenham’s New Year’s Day meeting, with both of those runs providing the perfect springboard for the six-year-old’s two recent winning efforts.

A maiden win at Doncaster in January saw him finish more than six lengths clear of the closest of his nine rivals, while the manner of his last-time out success was even more impressive.

Up against 16 useful hurdlers on his handicap debut, he gave a thoroughly accomplished hurdling display, with regular jockey Ben Jones timing his late push to perfection to take the lead half a furlong out, and be still charging away when they hit the line.

That performance did not escape the beady eye of the handicapper, but the seven-pound hike looks well within the scope of this gelding’s potential, and another strong bid can be expected here.

Suggested bet: Champagne Twist in the 14:20 at Aintree

• Tip advised by TC’s Punts on Tipstrr

Also looking very nicely treated is the Paul Nicholls-trained Inthewaterside, who hit the ground running by landing his first two bumper outings at Exeter and Sandown in the 2022/23 campaign.

The capable six-year-old transitioned seamlessly to taking on obstacles when sent here for his hurdle and season debut over course and distance in October, holding off 10 rivals to win by the length of his head, and although disappointing next time out at Ascot, he bounced back to win cosily on handicap debut at Lingfield.

Harry Cobden has been on board for all four of his hurdling efforts this term and is cautiously optimistic of his chances here if his ride can settle down before and during the race.

WATCH: Harry Cobden assesses his day two Aintree rides in his PlanetSportBet blog

Last seen coming a decent second at Ascot eight weeks ago, Inthewaterside is unexposed enough to have not yet fulfilled his potential or incurred the wrath of the handicapper, and with Cobden on board he looks a decent prospect under a light weight.

Suggested bet: Inthewaterside in the 14:20 at Aintree

 

 

• Tip advised by EachWayMorningTips on Tipstrr

William Hill Hurdle last 5 winners

• 2023 Fennor Cross 8/1
• 2022 Langer Dan 4/1F
• 2021 Tronador 20/1
• 2019 Three Musketeers 8/1
• 2018 Jester Jet 20/1

READ MORE: Friday ITV racing tips: Best Bets for Aintree on April 12