Exciting days racing today with three excellent meetings at Aintree Chepstow and Stratford to whet the appetite for future Saturday’s over the coming weeks. There will be plenty of pointers from the meetings today for future races and there are many horses that are of interest for backing later in the season.  Having had a shortlist of eight I have narrowed it down to what I consider the strongest two selections.

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 +11.81

Aintree 5.15 1PT WIN Shoreacres @5/1Bet365 - Non Runner

The overall profile of Shoreacres is disappointing and he has obviously had his problems over the past couple of seasons having only run three times in the past 18 months, but when Shoreacres is right he can be very good and his handicap mark of 133 here appears reasonable. He has won first time out in three of the past five seasons and the booking of AP McCoy looks fairly significant(who on him first time out last season), whilst the Brendan Powell yard remain in good form.

Stratford 3.50 1PT WIN Magnifique Etoile @5/6 William Hill - Winner (4/9F)

Magnifique Etoile put up a very impressive seasonal debut at Market Rasen four weeks ago in a bumper. Travelling easily throughout the race he quickened exceptionally easily and pulled 22l clear of modest opposition, but the manner of his victory left the impression he could be a useful recruit to hurdling. He makes his hurdles debut today and on his website Charlie Longsdon seems fairly confident stating “he has schooled well and now it is up to him to do it on the course”.  The opposition is not that strong and this looks an easily winnable opportunity. A class above opposition as reflected by the betting but his jumping was very hit and miss.