Since its inception in 1984, the Aintree Bowl has established itself as a fantastic race on the National Hunt racing calendar. While the fixture is oftentimes overshadowed by the much more anticipated Grand National, the three-mile and one-furlong affair always proves a thrilling spectacle as some of the sport’s best chasers from both the UK and Ireland stake their claim for Grade 1 glory.
And that will be the focus of this article, as we outline the three horses who are the favourites in the Aintree Bowl odds at the time of writing.
Shishkin
Coming off the back of a second-place finish in the Cheltenham Festival’s Ryanair Chase, trainer Nicky Henderson will be hoping his nine-year-old Shishkin can go one better at the Aintree Bowl on April 13. That’s easier said than done however, with a stacked card expected at this year’s renewal.
Henderson is well aware of the challenge that awaits, noting that the talent that exists at the 2023 Aintree Bowl ensures it has the potential to be the “race of the year”.
“The Bowl is going to be some race because everyone’s threatening to run,” he said.“It won’t be a re-run of the Gold Cup because I can’t see the Gold Cup winner coming (Galopin Des Champs), but I can see the rest of them coming. So he’s going to have join in with them. It could easily be the best race of the year.
“Ascot suggested that two-miles-five-furlongs wasn’t a problem, so you’re going three extra furlongs on an easier track. So it shouldn’t technically be a problem.
“If this works then that will definitely tell us where we go next year. You’d be thinking about the King George or even the Betfair Chase to start with. And if the King George goes well then obviously you’ve got to think about the Gold Cup. But again, everything has to go right.”
Henderson also admitted that if Shishkin is to reign supreme in what is an extremely competitive field, there needs to be a few issues rectified. Can Henderson turn Shishkin’s fortunes around and have him ready and raring for a tilt at hissecond win since January of 2022? For those who believe he can, he currently sits as the favourite to do so at odds of 7/4.
Bravemansgame
French thoroughbred Bravemansgame has had an exceptional 18 months, securing triumphs at Newton Abbott, Haydock, Kempton (x2), Newbury and Wetherby. He has, however, failed in two attempts at the sport’s biggest meetings during that time, of which includes finishing last in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase in 2022 before being beaten by seven lengths in the Cheltenham Gold Cup most recently.
Despite his disappointments at the Grand National and Cheltenham Festivals in year’s past, Bravemansgame’s form and talent warrants respect – a level of respect he is garnering in the betting lines as he has opened as the second favourite at 5/2.
Conflated
Similarly to the aforementioned Shishkin, the Gordon Elliott-trained Conflated didn’t have enough in the tank down the stretch to compete with the immensely gifted Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Festival’s feature race last month.
However, he did best talented thoroughbreds Noble Yeats and Protektoraten route to a third-place finish. Therefore, if he can remain in touch with the leaders as the field approaches the straight, he certainly boasts the fluent jumping and finishing speed to triumph this time around given there isn’t a horse of Galopin Des Champs lining up alongside him. Conflated is paying 11/4 to reign supreme in the Aintree Bowl – which is good for third favourite.
