14:15 Aintree

Saturday 11 November 2017

All12:3013:0513:4014:1514:5015:2516:00

Rugby Betting At 188Bet Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 5m 12.30s

Ballybolley^t⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 150| C| D

6/1

Smart handicapper who showed his best form at Market Rasen last time under his optimum conditions (well suited by the strong pace) and forged clear to win 4L. Generally at his best over fences on good ground and now off a career high mark.

Form: 41-3F91

Virgilio^t¹⁷⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 149| CD

11/4

No stranger to success around here having won over C&D last time out plus winning twice here over hurdles. Capitalised on a drop in grade last time to win off a 7lb lower mark and likely to make his mark in some good handicaps this winter.

Form: 1P223-1

Master Dee^t⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 145| D

8/1

Beaten 5 ½L by Ballybolley last time at Market Rasen he's now 6lb better off here although he'll need to jump better here with that run being blighted by uncharacteristic mistakes. Now resides on a career high mark though and a little more needed.

Form: 2112-33

Voix D'Eau^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr M Legg⁽⁵⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 145

14/1

Doesn't look the most straightforward of horses but has won off this mark in the past although it's getting on for 18 months since his last win. Often losses his place in races before running on at the end and may be best treated with caution.

Form: 40P-2P3

Gardefort²³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: B J Cooper| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 145

12/1

Ran a stormer at the Cheltenham Festival when last seen going there on the back of a much needed win at Wincanton in February. Has won off a long break before although this mark will test him from a yard that may well be finding their form.

Form: F/U2412-

Pobbles Bay³⁰¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 145| D

9/1

Already showing that he's a better chaser than hurdler (fairly useful) and won back-to-back handicaps late last year overcoming a 14lb rise to take the second of those. Outclassed when last seen (Listed event) and now back from a break off a career high mark.

Form: 124/115-

Warriors Tale^t²⁰⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: S Bowen| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 143| D

11/1

Has taken his time to show his true ability over fences looking more the finished article in the spring with two Newbury wins over today's trip. Tongue-tie appears to have helped him although he comes back from a break here off a mark he was beaten last time.

Form: 253115-

Three Stars²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: J J Slevin⁽³⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 141

16/1

Trainers GB runners are always to be respected and this one comes here on the back of two recent runs which leave a little to be desired. Let down by his jumping on his penultimate start he did better last time although still short of his best.

Form: 35P5-35

On Tour²⁷³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 135| D

4/1

Won his first two races over fences but the win column has been bare since then although this will be his lowest handicap mark over fences. Wasn't in the best of form when last seen in February and back from a break with the yard in form.

Form: 8/20354-

Matorico^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 129| D

50/1

Only lightly raced over fences and ran with credit here over further last time and may well appreciate this drop in trip. Dropped 2lb for that effort and if he can cope with the demand of this race then he's off interest here.

Form: U-43445

Tiquer²⁵³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: A E Jones| OR: 123| D

40/1

Looked a different proposition last season taking two of his last three races although this is a step-up in grade off a mark that will be a career high over fences. Has run well off a break before but this will be a tough test for him.

Form: 144/131-

The Fresh Prince¹⁹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Harrison Beswick⁽⁷⁾| T: O Sherwood| OR: 123| D

20/1

Got off to a rather patchy start to his chasing career but did win on his third start off a 6lb lower mark. Ran with credit stepped up in grade after that win but he can be idle in his races although he still has scope as a chaser; races prominently and jumps well.

Form: 6F1322-

Forecasts

Virgilio (11/4), On Tour (4/1), Ballybolley (6/1), Master Dee (8/1), Pobbles Bay (9/1), Warriors Tale (11/1), Gardefort (12/1), Voix D'Eau (14/1), Three Stars (16/1), The Fresh Prince (20/1), Tiquer (40/1), Matorico (50/1)

As one would expect this is a competitive handicap chase but VIRGILIO has a good record around here over hurdles and chases for the Skelton team that have made an excellent start to the season. He’s run well when fresh before and off a likely strong pace he should be able to settle and travel well into this. Ballybolley has to show he can compete off a mark this high but sets a good standard and the same could be said of Master Dee. With the Venetia Williams team looking as though they may click into gear soon Gardefort is worth watching in the betting with Matorico another to keep an eye on at the foot of the weights with this trip likely to suit better than the 3m here last time. Warriors Tale will be a danger if bouncing back to form and the Evan Williams pair On Tour and Pobbles Bay are respected.