20:25 Aintree

Friday 16 June 2017

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

Inkerman London Handicap Chase

Off time: 20:26 | Winning time: 3m 57.50s

Theflyingportrait^t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 135| D

9/1

Much improved last season, winning six times with some bold front-running displays. May have needed recent run when weakening latter stages (and ground probably too soft) after absence and may do better here, although current mark leaves little room for error.

Form: 14111-5

Parsnip Pete^t⁴⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 133| CD

9/2

Has been a grand servant over the years, and has taken in plenty of top-class handicaps, but struggling for some form at present. The plus points are that the handicapper is relenting and his form here at Aintree is generally excellent, so chances if bouncing back to best. Risky.

Form: 3327P-P

Oliver's Gold¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Miss E Todd⁽⁷⁾| T: M Walford| OR: 128| D

7/2

Last four runs have resulted in two wins and two pulled up efforts, so consistency not a strong point, but capable when on song. May need a career best from this mark though, and despite likely conditions being fine, others look to hold stronger claims.

Form: 33P1-P1

Lofgren^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 128| D

4/1

In good form and has won last two by wide margins, travelling well and finding plenty, but they have not been the most competitive affairs and from an 8lb higher mark may well need more to take this.

Form: 575-211

Owen Na View^b¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 127| D

6/1

Needed his Killarney run in May after an absence, and showed the benefits of that when sticking to the task well enough to finish a close fourth at Worcester latest. Mark still looks on the high side but likely to run well without quite being good enough.

Form: 152P-04

Solar Impulse³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Dave Crosse| T: C N Kellett| OR: 125| D

10/1

Classy handicapper at his best and would drop this lot if he ever refound his best form, but beaten some way on last few starts (albeit in some very competitive events) and simply looks a fading light on current evidence.

Form: 9P300-4

Avidity^p³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Lucy Alexander| T: J Ewart| OR: 122| D

7/1

Only the four starts over fences to date, but did beat useful pointer Monsieur Gibraltar at Bangor last year, and nicely handicapped on that. Well beaten latest but may have needed a couple of runs to get fit after a break, and with improvement likely at some point, isn't discounted.

Form: P/41P5-2

Aminabad^t⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: A W Short⁽⁷⁾| T: P Griffin| OR: 117| D

9/1

Beat the useful Two Taffs at Catterick in January, taking advantage of the second's reluctance to win, but hasn't reproduced that form in four starts since and may prefer a bit further anyway. Others make more appeal.

Form: 4130F6-

Forecasts

Oliver's Gold (7/2), Lofgren (4/1), Parsnip Pete (9/2), Owen Na View (6/1), Avidity (7/1), Theflyingportrait (9/1), Aminabad (9/1), Solar Impulse (10/1)

A few of these have a bit to prove at present, and they nearly all come with some form of question or risk attached. AVIDITY is given a try as he should have a bit more to offer over fences and should be cherry-ripe after a couple of runs after a break. Lofgren is doing little wrong and should run well again, but this is more competitive than the events he's been in and may need a bit more to win. Parsnip Pete comes with all sorts of risks attached but this is his favourite track, and a better run wouldn't be the biggest shock.