17:15 Aintree

Friday 7 April 2017

All13:4014:2014:5015:2516:0516:4017:15

Weatherbys Private Bank Standard Open NH Flat Race (Grade 2)

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 4m 4.40s

And The New²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Farrelly

33/1

Hampered at a vital stage in Cheltenham Festival Bumper but still finished a creditable 7th belying massive odds. Clearly has plenty of ability but not certain to be suited by this much sharper test.

Form: 3/376-

Black Op⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George

10/3

Bought for hefty £210,000 after hacking up on debut in Irish point-to-point, and duly obliged in style on rules debut in Doncaster Bumper. Clearly held in some regard and appears one for the short list.

Form: 1-

Bomber's Moon⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: M D Grant| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

50/1

Stable has great record in this race winning it three times in the last 12 years. Narrowly beaten on racecourse bow last week in fair event and turns out again quickly. Not without a chance if recovered from that debut effort.

Form: 2

Carlos Du Fruitier⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling

33/1

Yard won this two years ago with smart Barters Hill so know what is required. May have found heavy ground against him when second at Newcastle last time and better judged on previous winning effort at Warwick.

Form: 42

Claimantakinforgan²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

6/1

Excellent third in Cheltenham Festival Bumper three weeks ago and a repeat of that effort might well be good enough to score here. Top yard haven't won this since 1987 but clearly sets a high standard.

Form: S1-

Clondaw Castle²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George

20/1

Point-to-point winner who made a pleaseing rules debut when scoring at Stratford last month. Needs to step his game up to figure in this company, but that is certainly not ruled out.

Form: F-11

Enniscoffey Oscar⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss E C Lavelle

18/1

Just held on close home on rules debut in Lingfield AW Bumper in February. This represents a very different challenge though and might find it a tough task.

Form: F

If The Cap Fits⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry

4/1

2-2 in Bumpers and showed a good attitude when giving weight and a beating to his rivals at Taunton last time. A nice prospect representing shrewd connections and likely to go very well.

Form: 1

King Of Realms⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams

25/1

Good winning performance on debut and not digraced when third under his penalty behind useful sort at last time. Soft ground might have been against him that day so return to better ground today should help.

Form: 1

Lalor²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: R Woollacott

33/1

Three runs all at Wincanton and got his head in front on heavy ground in modest event last time. Might find things happening a bit too quickly but champion jockey booked so cannot be completely overlooked .

Form: 2

Loud And Clear¹⁶⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: M Dwyer| T: I Jardine

14/1

Trainer in fine form of late. Won two of his last three Bumper starts and the booking today of top Flat jockey Martin Dwyer very much catches the eye. Market confidence would be a good guide to his chance.

Form: 0-131

Run To Milan¹⁰²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Nick Scholfield| T: V R A Dartnall

12/1

Stable not noted for debut Bumper winners so did well to score against Lalor on debut in December. Given time since then and open to any amount of improvement.

Form:

Some Reign⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: G Lee| T: R Dobbin

66/1

Only just failed to give weight away under his penalty last time having won nicely on previous start and clearly has ability. Top Flat jockey in the saddle knows how to win at this meeting so may put up a bold show.

Form: 3/

Tikkanbar³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland

22/1

On a hat-trick after winning a three-runner and a four-runner race so is hard to assess. Connections clearly believe he's worth his place in the line-up but needs to improve on what he's shown so far.

Form: 2

Western Ryder²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex

6/1

The most experienced horse in the field. Won a listed Bumper this winter and a fine 5th in the Cheltenham Festival Bumper last time out. Top form in the book so has to enter calculations.

Form: 1

Amateur^p²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: R Flint| T: J L Flint

50/1

Finished well in first-time cheekpieces to score at Chepstow last month on debut for new connections. Much more to do here though and others make more appeal.

Form: 2

Larry⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore

25/1

Bare form of debut win doesn't amount to a great deal but very shrewd connections bringing him here catches the eye as they won this back in 2010 with Megastar. Related to a number of decent NH performers so definitely of interest.

Form: 1

Point Of Principle⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan

66/1

Sprung a big surprise when scoring on racecourse debut and proved that no fluke when running well in defeat under his penalty last time. Needs to find more though at this level and others are preferred.

Form:

Sea Sovereign⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: T J Murphy| T: M Pitman

100/1

Four runs and yet to score in modest company. Hard to see him getting involved at this lofty level on the basis of what he's achieved to date.

Form: 8

Non-Runners

Niceandeasy³¹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 4

T: K Dalgleish J: B S Hughes

Forecasts

Black Op (10/3), If The Cap Fits (4/1), Western Ryder (6/1), Claimantakinforgan (6/1), Run To Milan (12/1), Loud And Clear (14/1), Niceandeasy (16/1), Enniscoffey Oscar (18/1), Clondaw Castle (20/1), Tikkanbar (22/1), King Of Realms (25/1), Larry (25/1), Lalor (33/1), And The New (33/1), Carlos Du Fruitier (33/1), Amateur (50/1), Bomber's Moon (50/1), Point Of Principle (66/1), Some Reign (66/1), Sea Sovereign (100/1)

With so many unexposed horses in the event it is hard to rule out virtually any of the contenders. Nicky Henderson's Claimantakinforgan has the best form in the book but the yard has a dismal winning record in this race over the last 30 years. BLACK OP looked a horse of real potential when scoring on his rules debut at Doncaster and is reportedly held in high esteem by connections. He is a tentative selection in a race where serious consideration is also given to Larry and Bomber's Moon.