20:20 Aintree

Friday 18 May 2018

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

Smarkets Handicap Chase

Off time: 20:21 | Winning time: 6m 27.10s

Virgilio^t³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 145| CD

2/1

Fell at Becher's first time when sent off 50/1 for the Grand National last time out, but previous handicap form would give him some form of chance off this mark.

Form: 23/18PF-

Knockgraffon^p,t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: O Murphy| OR: 142

8/1

This looks easier than the Grade 2 he ran in last time out (and wasn't disgraced in), and just 1lb higher than last winning mark. Needs to prove he stays this far, though.

Form: 451F46-

Another Hero³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: B J Geraghty| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 136

11/4

Narrow winner of a competitive Cheltenham handicap chase on his only start of last season. Up 5lb for a narrow victory but this looks weaker than that and he should go well again.

Form: 64300/1-

Monbeg River²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Henry Brooke| T: M Todhunter| OR: 134

16/1

Took a nasty fall early in the piece at Ayr last time out when not particularly fancied for a Listed handicap. Could struggle even at this slightly lower level, especially off the back of that incident last time.

Form: 3/2192F-

Colms Dream^h,t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: J J Burke| T: K Thornton| OR: 134

16/1

Has badly lost his way of fences recently in Ireland, including when pulled-up last time out, and a major revival is needed here.

Form: 120/07P-

Winter Lion^t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 126| D

11/4

A 4lb rise for winning at Cheltenham last time seems fair, where good ground seemed to suit. Most of his form over shorter than this but showed last time that he stays this far and should run well.

Form: 833441-

Bearly Legal^t³⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 10-3| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: K Thornton| OR: 122

20/1

On a long enough losing run now dating back to January 2016, and recent efforts haven't given indication that that's about to change.

Form: 08F7P0-

Non-Runners

Ballyalton³⁵

Weight: 11-5| Age: 11

T: Ian Williams J: T J O'Brien

Forecasts

Virgilio (2/1), Winter Lion (11/4), Another Hero (11/4), Ballyalton (10/3), Knockgraffon (8/1), Monbeg River (16/1), Colms Dream (16/1), Bearly Legal (20/1)

Another Hero ran well on his return at Cheltenham last time out and should go well even though he's gone up a fair bit in the weights, but BALLYALTON is surely capable of winning another race, having gone a couple of years since last getting his head in front. His effort at the Cheltenham Festival two starts ago in particular would give him an excellent chance of going very well off the same mark. If none the worse for falling in the Grand National last time out, Virgilio is another with claims.