19:55 Aintree

Friday 16 June 2017

All18:1518:5019:2019:5520:2520:55

Merseyrail Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:56 | Winning time: 3m 58.9s

Mad Jack Mytton⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 131| D

7/2

Highly tried (and in truth, outclassed) on last two starts but this is much more his level. Trip and likely ground both fine, handicapper has cut him a bit of slack too, and no surprise if he was to get in the shake up.

Form: P225F0-

Curious Carlos²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen⁽⁷⁾| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 131| D

5/2

Bounced back to form with a good win at Cartmel latest, and could be called the winner some way out there, so 5lb rise far from excessive and still leaves him on a good mark. Trip and likely ground ideal and every chance if in the same form.

Form: 30600-1

Cornborough^p¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Jamie Hamilton⁽³⁾| T: M Walford| OR: 130| CD

5/1

Took this last year form a 4lb lower mark, and warmed up for a crack at the repeat with a win on the Flat at Redcar last time out. Clearly in good heart and with trip and ground ideal again, looks sure to give a positive showing.

Form: 106324-

Lycidas¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Lucy Alexander| T: J Ewart| OR: 125| D

9/1

Useful on the Flat and came good over hurdles at Kelso last time, despite a couple of errors. Tends to run his race more often than not, and 3lb rise for that win fair, but not the most prolific of winners and may need to improve again here.

Form: 24325-1

Bleu Et Noir^h⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 125| D

13/2

Tends to go off at a rate of knots and occasionally keeps it going, as he did on three occasions in novice company last year. Recent efforts, though needed after an absence, less encouraging though, and is best watched at present.

Form: 121F6P-

Dear Sire^h¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 122| D

12/1

Has found some form recently, and was probably unsuited by Hexham's demanding track in between his two successes, so that's forgiven. Wins do tend to come in lesser company though, so may need another step forward if he's to win again here, despite conditions being fine.

Form: 6141-51

Ashoka^p,t⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 122| BF| D

5/1

Won a couple of races this spring but looked a bit one-paced at Warwick on latest start, and suspicion is that the handicapper has him about right at present. Yard gone a bit quiet after a superb spell as well, and others are preferred.

Form: P0611-3

Non-Runners

Chieftain's Choice³³

Weight: 11-6| Age: 8

T: K Frost J: B S Hughes

Forecasts

Curious Carlos (5/2), Mad Jack Mytton (7/2), Chieftain's Choice (9/2), Cornborough (5/1), Ashoka (5/1), Bleu Et Noir (13/2), Lycidas (9/1), Dear Sire (12/1)

With Bleu Et Noir likely to make this a good test, it might pay to look at those coming from off the pace and to that extent both last year's winner Cornborough and CHIEFTAIN'S CHOICE make some appeal. The latter is given the vote as he looked like he was coming back to form at Leicester on his latest start and still looks handicapped to win. Cornborough is in good form too should get this run to suit. Both Mad Jack Mytton and Curious Carlos are worthy of respect in a tricky little contest.