Willie Mullins column: Aintree Friday runners

By Willie Mullins

Horse Racing

Fri April 12, 2024 · 8M ago

Our star columnist on his runners at Aintree on Friday including James Du Berlais in the Topham.

Aintree Friday

14:20 Ocastle Des Mottes

Ocastle Des Mottes^h1²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 132

5/1

He was a little disappointing in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham and I hope he’ll be a bit better at Aintree. I don’t think the ground will inconvenience him at all.

14:55 Mystical Power

Mystical Power^h³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: M P Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 148| D

11/10

He ran a cracker in the Sky Bet Supreme and looked like he had the race wrapped up after jumping the last only to get outstayed up the hill. The track at Aintree might be to his advantage. If he runs up to the same form, it puts him firmly in the mix for this.

14:55 Mistergif

Mistergif^h³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 141| D

13/2

He ran alright in the same race at Cheltenham. I thought he was going to be third between the final two flights only for him to fade into fifth. Possibly with that run and experience under his belt he might improve a bit to get into the first three this time.

Grand National Meeting - Friday preview and best bets for Aintree

15:30 Easy Game

Easy Game¹⁹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 161| D

20/1

This is a very hot contest for my horse especially as the ground won’t be to his liking. We skipped Fairyhouse because it was too soft but are taking a chance and running here but the weather hasn’t been kind. If he can get some of the lesser prize money, that would represent a good day’s work.

16:05 Aime Desjy

Aime Desjy³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 141

16/1

A horse that is improving and has been all season. I don’t think we’ve reached the best of him yet and if he handles these fences, he has an each-way chance.

16:05 Classic Getaway

Classic Getaway²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 155| BF

25/1

He’s been inclined to be his own worst enemy in his most recent runs. If Patrick can manage to settle him and harness that energy into the right direction, he’s the right type for the race and has his chance.

16:05 James Du Berlais

James Du Berlais^t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 151| D

6/1

He’s been running well all year and I think with his style of jumping and method of racing you might just say this race is made for him. He goes here with a big chance.

16:40 Dancing City

Dancing City²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150

4/1

Won the Grade One 2m6f novice hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival and ran well to finish third at Cheltenham. He has every chance on Friday.

16:40 Readin Tommy Wrong

Readin Tommy Wrong²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 149| BF

7/2

Paul Townend rides him. He disappointed in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham and faded tamely in the last quarter of a mile. If you can leave that run behind, he comes here with a good chance but he has to find his form again.

More Grand National tips and features

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.