Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 6m 0.50s

Unowhatimeanharry^t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: B J Geraghty| T: H Fry| OR: 167| CD

7/4

Staying hurdler out of the very top drawer, only defeat in Grade 1 company last year coming in the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham, where the ground may have been lively enough for him. Back with a bang at Aintree and has match fitness on his side.

Form: 11131-1

Wholestone²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 155| BF| D

10/1

Has two lengths to find with Colin's Sister on their Wetherby run but weighted to get closer. Possible that he doesn't have the scope to go on as she does though, so no certainly to reverse the form. Not discounted, but a bit to do.

Form: 2113-42

Beer Goggles²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: R Woollacott| OR: 152| CD

50/1

Capable staying handicap hurdler that came good in a competitive event at Newton Abbot in October, but this is well out of his comfort zone and he's likely to find it hard going late on.

Form: 311-213

Taquin Du Seuil²³⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 157| C

16/1

Top class hurdler/chaser at his peak, rolled back the years to take the Grade 3 BetVictor Gold Cup last year and far from disgraced in the Grade 1 Stayers Hurdle at Aintree either. Likely to need this though, and others make more appeal.

Form: 615424-

Thistlecrack³⁰⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 174| BF| CD

1/1

One of the most popular horses in training, won the King George at Kempton on just his fourth start last year before just getting the worst of a titanic struggle at Cheltenham. Back from injury here and will need to be on top of his game.

Form: 1/11112-

Colin's Sister²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 142| D

10/1

Thoroughly likeable mare that showed the step up to 3m posed no issues at Wetherby last time out, putting in a career best. That opens up new avenues this season and as a smooth travelling sort that goes on the ground, may well get in the money.

Form: 11115-1

Forecasts

Thistlecrack (1/1), Unowhatimeanharry (7/4), Colin's Sister (10/1), Wholestone (10/1), Taquin Du Seuil (16/1), Beer Goggles (50/1)

This would appear to revolve around whether Thistlecrack can return from serious injury in top form, because if he can, the handy 6lb he receives from UNOWHATIMEANHARRY could prove decisive. But that has to be in some doubt, as he will have bigger targets this year and won't be given a hard time if Tom Scudamore feels that he needs the run. Unowhatimenaharry has that vital edge in fitness, so despite having to give the weight away, could come out on top today. Colin's Sister keeps improving and might not be as far behind the front two as the figures imply.