13:45 Aintree

Saturday 14 April 2018

All13:4514:2515:0015:4016:2017:1518:20

Gaskells Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 6m 22.43s

Louis' Vac Pouch^h³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 145| CD

11/1

Four wins from six starts in 2017, also ran well in defeat in Grade 3 handicap at Chepstow in October. Impressive soft-ground winner over C&D in November and may be sharper after last month's Pertemps run at Cheltenham.

Form: F11-610

Knight Of Noir³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: M Blake| OR: 145| CD

50/1

Largely consistent for Neil Mulholland and broke his duck over fences on final start for him in October at Chepstow, never a factor after early mistake over fences at Cheltenham last month; career-best hurdles effort required now.

Form: 12521P

Tikkanbar^h1⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 142

14/1

Lightly-raced sort, won two from three over hurdles so far though well found out in Cheltenham Grade 2 novices' event in January over 2m4½f (heavy). Must jump better and show stamina for new trip, but retains scope for doing better things.

Form: 110-116

Sykes³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Matt Griffiths| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 142| CD

33/1

Consistent performer in handicap hurdles this season with figures of 4122 since leaving Philip Hobbs for this trainer. Attempted to make all in Pertemps Final last month at Cheltenham, weakened right out of it from second last.

Form: 5-41220

Golan Fortune^p⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: R Patrick⁽⁵⁾| T: P W Middleton| OR: 141

14/1

Tough and genuine sort who boasts good form in handicaps and has been as good as ever at times this season. Likely won't want to see conditions deteriorating further.

Form: 1F1123

Debece³⁷²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 141

8/1

Progressive novice last term, hasn't been sighted since running gallant second in Grade 1 C&D novice event at this meeting a year ago. Just 4lb higher for return and interesting to see how the market perceives him.

Form: 123313-

Shannon Bridge⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 140

10/1

Going the right way in three runs over hurdles this term, but unable to go pace in Grade 2 Haydock event in February (2m6½f, heavy) and again left calling for clear career-best to be in the shake-up now.

Form: 54-122P

Prime Venture³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 140

14/1

Wide-margin scorer over 3m at Ffos Las on soft ground in November off mark of 130, ran sound race in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham last month (beaten 11L) and eased 1lb since. Place claims.

Form: 2-21408

Red Indian³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling| OR: 139

8/1

Not won since December 2016 (2m soft), but tough to knock for consistency. Again ran credible race in Coral Cup last month at Cheltenham, likely to battle for place money unless this new trip taps into undiscovered reserves of stamina.

Form: 2-23326

Jeannot De Nonant^p³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 139

33/1

Capable sort but frustrating over time for a variety of handlers. Won over 3m at Southwell in February (6lb higher now) but again found out in classier event at Cheltenham last time off this mark. Others preferred.

Form: 435410

Mr Big Shot²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 138

7/1

Lost his unbeaten record (previously three from three) in Martin Pipe last month at Cheltenham but that was first start for 345 days and was an eyecatcher until lack of sharpness got him. Up in trip and could be capable of having big say.

Form: 1/11-0

No Hassle Hoff²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 138

12/1

Best form this term has been over this sort of trip, so no shock things unfolded quickly enough at Cheltenham in the Martin Pipe. Eased 2lb since, he's still handicapped to the max on what he has achieved thus far.

Form: 4-14930

Fixe Le Kap^p1³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 138

16/1

Champion trainer hasn't been able to get progress after promising start in late 2015/16 with French import. Underwent wind surgery prior to modest efforts at Ascot and Cheltenham this spring and a shock should he land this with cheekpieces added.

Form: 8/2-1270

Connetable^b³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 138

12/1

Fair handicapper, has plenty of solid efforts in the bank this season without winning. Hit the frame in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham last month (few of these behind) and, raised only 2lb, no reason he won't be competitive again.

Form: 524383

Jaleo²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr Alex Ferguson⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 137

40/1

Fair handicapper on his day, jumping not always the best however and that will come under close scrutiny now. Career-best needed on current terms amongst some sharp performers.

Form: 3F-7362

Now Mcginty^p¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: S Edmunds| OR: 135

12/1

The money has been down for recent wins at Warwick (2m5f, soft/heavy) recently, defying 10lb rise to score emphatically 17 days ago. Raised another 15lb for that win and facing toughest task so far.

Form: 3P0011

The Mighty Don³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Cannon| T: N J Gifford| OR: 135

25/1

Has been busy this winter and mostly been competitive though unable to win and still finds mark 7lb higher than he started. Soft ground not in his favour at Cheltenham last month when behind some of these in Pertemps Final. Conditions the worry.

Form: 782229

Ah Littleluck^t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: A E Lynch| T: T Gibney| OR: 135

10/1

Left previous efforts behind when relishing testing ground at Fairyhouse this month to score (2m6f, heavy). Races from 11lb higher rating now and likely to be vulnerable in follow-up attempt.

Form: 565081

Fortunate George^v⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 135

33/1

Mixed bag over fences this season but returned to this sphere with decisive win at Wincanton (2m5½f, soft) in February. Up 4lb on strength of that and can not be discounted.

Form: 351731

Sir Mangan⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Fergus Gregory⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 134

33/1

Newbury effort behind Beer Goggles in October when second would put him in the mix here. Hasn't really shown similar form since but made a step in right direction at Fakenham this month.

Form: 16P662

Non-Runners

Dream Berry²⁹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: J & A O'Neill J: B J Geraghty

Stamp Your Feet⁶⁹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: T R George J: Mark Walsh

Forecasts

Dream Berry (13/2), Mr Big Shot (7/1), Debece (8/1), Red Indian (8/1), Ah Littleluck (10/1), Shannon Bridge (10/1), Louis' Vac Pouch (11/1), Now Mcginty (12/1), No Hassle Hoff (12/1), Connetable (12/1), Prime Venture (14/1), Tikkanbar (14/1), Golan Fortune (14/1), Fixe Le Kap (16/1), Stamp Your Feet (20/1), The Mighty Don (25/1), Jeannot De Nonant (33/1), Sykes (33/1), Sir Mangan (33/1), Fortunate George (33/1), Jaleo (40/1), Knight Of Noir (50/1)

A fiercely competitive opener could go the way of MR BIG SHOT for David Pipe. He caught the eye last month at Cheltenham on his reappearance and has scope for improving now stepped up in trip. With the extra sharpness on his side, he is one to pay close attention to. Dream Berry finished just in front of him in that race and similar sentiments can be attached to him. Debece hasn't been sighted since a fine effort in a Grade 1 novice over C&D a year ago and must be respected while Louis' Vac Pouch, Connetable and in-form Now Mcginty have their merits.