19:45 Aintree

Friday 18 May 2018

All17:3518:0518:4019:1019:4520:2020:50

Smarkets 2% Commission Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:45 | Winning time: 6m 14.30s

Who's My Jockey²²

Age: 5| Weight: 12-3| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 136

8/1

Back in front at Kempton last time and steps up in trip here. Up 6lb but unexposed as a handicapper and the Champion Jockey retakes the ride.

Form: 1/31231-

Isaacstown Lad⁵⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: R D Day⁽³⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 131| D

25/1

Has run well the last twice and this trip likely to be idea, but unraced on ground quicker than good to soft despite his age.

Form: 4/3F334-

Knock House^p⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 130| D

16/1

Third at Carlisle last time out was his best effort in some time, though he finished behind My Old Gold last time out and may struggle to reverse that form.

Form: PP6P/62-

Polydora^b1¹¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: N de Boinville| T: T Lacey| OR: 128

9/1

Looked beaten when unseating the rider at Warwick last time out, and down just 2lb for second start in a handicap with blinkers applied for the first time.

Form: 57/161U-

Lough Derg Farmer^b1⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 128

15/2

Good form as a novice but hasn't been up to that level in handicaps since returning from an abandoned attempt at chasing. Blinkers now resorted to but has something to prove.

Form: 121/P47-

Wemyss Point^p²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 126| BF

14/1

Flat handicap winner last time out, and form over hurdles recently gives some encouragement for this hurdle handicap newcomer. This longer trip could help, and he can't be ruled out.

Form: 522/513-

Henllan Harri^b,t¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 126

20/1

Grade 3 winner over fences but also capable over hurdles, though recent performances when chasing have been some way short of his best.

Form: 1/43P6-U

Tantamount^t¹⁰³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 125| C

40/1

This is easier than the Musselburgh handicap he was pulled up in last time out, but 6lb higher than his last winning mark and softer ground ideal.

Form: 3231/6P-

Black Sam Bella¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 124

13/8

Winner on handicap debut at Uttoxeter last time out and though up 8lb further improvement could be on the way and the ground won't be an issue for her.

Form: 12/232-1

My Old Gold²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards| OR: 124| BF| D

14/1

Up again in the weights having run well at Perth last time out, and though she usually runs her race it's possible she may struggle off this mark. Ground shouldn't be an issue based on point-to-point form.

Form: 1/32212-

King Of Fashion^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: T J O'Brien| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 122

8/1

Nowhere near his best since joining this yard and all his best form on softer ground than he's likely to get here.

Form: 23/4P66-

Sky Pirate¹⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 121

8/1

Yet to build on debut rules win at Worcester back in October, but this longer trip may help given he was a winner of his only point-to-point.

Form: 1/123-

Bulls Head³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Ross Chapman⁽³⁾| T: M Todhunter| OR: 117| BF

20/1

Solid handicap hurdle form so far and finished second at Newcastle last time off this mark (beaten favourite). Markedly up in trip here on likely better ground and could hit the frame again.

Form: 709/112-

Forecasts

Black Sam Bella (13/8), Lough Derg Farmer (15/2), Sky Pirate (8/1), Who's My Jockey (8/1), King Of Fashion (8/1), Polydora (9/1), My Old Gold (14/1), Wemyss Point (14/1), Knock House (16/1), Henllan Harri (20/1), Bulls Head (20/1), Isaacstown Lad (25/1), Tantamount (40/1)

A fairly competitive looking affair, where perhaps WHO'S MY JOCKEY can improve again to defy a 6lb rise up the weights since winning at Kempton last time out. The fact Richard Johnson retakes the ride is obviously no bad thing, and the step up in trip may well produce further progression as well. He is taken to see off the likes of recent Uttoxeter winner Black Sam Bella and the lightly-raced Sky Pirate.