15:05 Aintree – Nacarat to upstage old-timer Denman
Published:The totesport Bowl has not been a race that has been kind to favourites in recent years and Nacarat can continue this sequence by upsetting hotly-fancied favourite Denman.
Denman’s odds are 5/4 to win the totesport Bowl and there are a few reasons to doubt whether he can defy such a short price, despite finishing second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month.
Horses that have run well in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in recent years have often headed to Aintree with big prospects and have largely underachieved.
Two years ago Denman was a short-priced favourite in the totesport Bowl after finishing second to Kauto Star in the Gold Cup, but fell close home when attempting to reel in Madison De Berlais.
Meanwhile, 12 months ago Imperial Commander arrived at Aintree as the Cheltenham Gold Cup champion, but looked in trouble a long way out and was eventually a faller.
There is the consensus that horses may need longer than three weeks to fully get over their Cheltenham Gold Cup exploits and Denman is now getting no younger at the ripe old age of 11.
Furthermore, the fact that he has only won once since 2008 is a cause for concern, even if he has been putting up some dignified displays in defeat.
Therefore, although it may be undoubted that Denman is the best horse in the race, he is worth opposing and Nacarat has the best credentials to take advantage.
Nacarat is 7/2 in the totesport Bowl odds and is nicely rested since finishing third off top weight in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton in February.
Horses to have performed well in the King George also have a decent record in the Aintree contest and Nacarat stayed in contention for a long way until eventually fading to finish fourth.
The other statistic in his favour is that front-runners in the totesport Bowl have a fine record and there is every chance that Nacarat will look to make all.
A £20 stake on Nacarat winning the totesport Bowl would return £70. New customers can sign up here to take advantage of free bets totalling up to £60.
