14:50 Aintree

Thursday 12 April 2018

All13:4514:2014:5015:2516:0516:4017:15

Betway Bowl Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:54 | Winning time: 6m 40.18s

Bristol De Mai⁷⁵

5/1

Finding it difficult to shake off his tag of 'Haydock specialist' after three wide margin wins there on testing ground, including the Grade 1 Betfair Chase in November. Not close to that form since but has had a wind op and certainly merits respect.

Form: 75-1163

Clan Des Obeaux¹¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 155| BF

8/1

Has some solid form to his name over fences in the past two seasons and represents a trainer who has won three of the last eight renewals of this. Goes well fresh and will probably stay this far; has a bit to find but not ruled out of the frame.

Form: 514-212

Definitly Red²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny Cook| T: B Ellison| OR: 165| CD

8/1

Well placed to win six of his 14 chases, including a success here over 3m1f in a Grade 2 earlier this season. Won at Cheltenham in Janaury but jumped poorly in the Gold Cup back at that course last time. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 1P-3116

Double Shuffle^h¹⁰⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 166

11/1

Had looked a decent handicapper but last two runs have been improved with an 8L second in an Ascot Grade 2 (2m5f, good to soft) and then a 1L second to Might Bite at 50-1 in the King George. Trainer says that was no fluke and he is not dismissed.

Form: 12P-222

Might Bite²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 172| BF| CD

4/5

Quirky but top drawer performer who won the novices' version of this here last year and the King George at Christmas. Ran a career best when second in the Gold Cup last time and is the one to beat if he is over what was a very hard race.

Form: 111-112

Sizing Codelco³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 150| CD

33/1

Won the Listed 3m1f handicap chase at this meeting (good) last year by 13L from a mark of 139 and matched that in another competitive event at Punchestown next time. Below that level this season, including after wind op last time. Plenty to prove.

Form: 11-P6PP

Sub Lieutenant^t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Flanagan| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 158

25/1

Is 0-12 at this level, including a 28L fourth in last month's Ryanair Chase. He has made the frame in several Grade 1s and deseves to take his chance again but likely to find a few too good.

Form: 22-3534

Tea For Two²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Lizzie Kelly| T: Nick Williams| OR: 164| CD

12/1

Posted career-best when outpointing Cue Card to win this last year and equalled that when 3L third to Might Bite in the King George. Off the boil since and needs to bounce back to form to have any say in this.

Form: 1-943P7

Forecasts

Might Bite (4/5), Bristol De Mai (5/1), Clan Des Obeaux (8/1), Definitly Red (8/1), Double Shuffle (11/1), Tea For Two (12/1), Sub Lieutenant (25/1), Sizing Codelco (33/1)

There's been some well documented flops by market leaders in this race during its 34-year history, but two of the last three favourites have won and six of the last eight winners have gone off no bigger than 7-2. Last year's tenacious triumph was by 10-1 shot Tea For Two and although one has to forgive him his last two runs, he may do better back here. Definitly Red is another who may appreciate a return to Liverpool but MIGHT BITE brings by far the best form to the table and can win this if his excursions in the Gold Cup have not taken too much out of him. Bristol De Mai could be the main danger if a recent wind operation has worded the oracle.