Focus on Aintree and Tokyo

Lydia Hislop13 April 2012

Racing parades its great diversity from opposite sides of the world this Sunday.

The flames of Britain's National Hunt season are fanned at Aintree, home of the Martell Grand National, whereas the ashes of the 2001 global Flat season are kicked over in Tokyo for the Japan Cup.

The road to the 2002 National begins with the Tote Becher Chase over a short course of the formidable fences. Smarty, mudspattered runner-up in last term's marathon chase, heads the betting and advertised his well-being with a hurdles success earlier this month.

But he looks vulnerable to progressive Meadowbank, who jumped so well when beating Skillwise at Wetherby last Saturday. That runner-up also has bold claims here. Irish raider Church Place can't be discounted.

In the Stanley Racing Children In Need Handicap Hurdle, Kings Castle can double up, following his smooth win at Wincanton earlier this month.

He drops back in trip, but has shown speed aplenty before and Norman Williamson is a positive booking. Bhutan can be a weak finisher, so Lord Of Love could be the threat.

Ballybough Rasher can follow up his course-and-distance win of last month - form that may be stronger than first appeared - in the Red Square And Red Alert Energising Novices' Handicap. In the Japan Cup, Golan takes his final bow before retiring to Coolmore Stud.

The same owner-trainer combination of Lord Weinstock and Sir Michael Stoute were successful in this 12-furlong Group One four years ago with Pilsudski, who was following up then-stablemate Singspiel's victory of 1996.

This year's 2,000 Guineas and Prix Niel victor benefits from the services of Johnny Murtagh, whose booking ends stable jockey Kieren Fallon's retainer. Golan holds claims on the form of his fourth in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, when energy expended trying to keep tabs on winner, Sakhee, probably cost him third.

He trades as third favourite behind local runners, T M Opera and Meisho Doto, who finished first and second in that order 12 months ago. The winner looks capable of recording the first back-to-back victory in the Fuchu contest.

Aintree selections: 12.35, Better Days; 1.05, Maceo; 1.35, Ballybough Rasher (nb); 2.05, Kings Castle; 2.40, Meadowbank (nap); 3.15, Needwood Lion; 3.45, Calling Brave.

Japan Cup: 6.20, 1 T M Opera O, 2 Golan, 3 Meisho Doto.

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