17:45 Aintree

Friday 15 June 2018

All17:4518:1518:5019:2019:5520:2520:55

Betfred TV Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:45 | Winning time: 4m 56.60s

Craggaknock^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Sean Houlihan| T: R C Guest| OR: 121

9/1

Stayed on late to take a never nearer second to Hassle at Market Rasen (2m2f+ good) earlier this month so well worth a try over further off a 4lb higher mark; albeit both hurdles wins have come over 2m (Wetherby).

Form: 5254-02

Final Choice^p⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Hicks⁽¹⁰⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 120

11/1

Won well for this inexperienced rider on heavy ground at Wetherby in March (2m) and far from disgraced off a 5lb higher mark here latest (2m+), but hasn't shaped over encouragingly in two attempts over longer trips.

Form: 40/3617-

Lough Salt³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Reed| T: R C Guest| OR: 115WS

12/1

Stablemate of Craggaknock and a dual 3m winner at Wetherby. Had wind surgery since his last start at Southwell in May so that could bring about improvement, but whilst fairly treated this trip does look to be a little on the sharp side.

Form: 16520-4

Cape Hideaway⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Dowson| T: M Walford| OR: 112| D

15/2

The handicapper seems to just about have his measure over hurdles (1 from 17), but he's proved largely consistent under both codes so far in 2018, winning on the Flat his penultimate start at Doncaster in March (1m4f soft).

Form: 772244-

Mr Snoozy^p²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Jamie Hamilton⁽³⁾| T: M Walford| OR: 112| D

16/1

Often races in sellers nowadays, so a slight surprise that he was strong enough to take a Class 3 handicap at Hexham latest (2m); up 2lb, but stays this trip well and historically competitive from similar handicap marks.

Form: 1468-31

Atomic Rumble^t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 112

11/4

Made a winning handicap debut at Ffos Las (2m6f good) just over two weeks ago, beating Zen Master by 3+L. Hit with a subsequent 9lb rise and that'll make life harder, but no reason as to why this shorter trip will prove problematic.

Form: 37400-1

Primogeniture³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Stock⁽³⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 110

15/2

80-rated on the Flat for Mary Hambro and having just his fifth start over hurdles tonight (handicap debut); possibilities off this opening mark but does need to up his game, and with minor stamina question marks present.

Form: 84/3-3

Benny's Secret^h³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 107

33/1

Falling back towards his last winning mark (2m5f good at Kelso in October 2017, but yet to win anywhere else over hurdles than that Borders venue; others more convincing at present.

Form: P1150-8

Arty Campbell⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Robert Williams⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 104| D

8/1

Not raced over hurdles since November 2017 (Cheltenham), and generally a bit sharper on the Flat overall; mark plenty high enough for what he's achieved over timber (1 from 15) but race-fit from a couple of Flat spins.

Form: 5/P3216-

The Grinder¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁷⁾| T: N Kent| OR: 103

14/1

11-race maiden who finished a couple of places and 5½L behind Craggaknock at Market Rasen earlier this month, yet hasn't really demonstrated that he's seeking out a step up in trip.

Form: 3/9862-4

Astaroland^t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: R Patrick| T: J Candlish| OR: 102

9/2

Never won beyond 2m1f, and no win since July 2015. Better treated now from a reduced mark but hasn't really threatened to strike in four starts in 2018.

Form: 94373-4

Forecasts

Atomic Rumble (11/4), Astaroland (9/2), Cape Hideaway (15/2), Primogeniture (15/2), Arty Campbell (8/1), Craggaknock (9/1), Final Choice (11/1), Lough Salt (12/1), The Grinder (14/1), Mr Snoozy (16/1), Benny's Secret (33/1)

An open looking conditional jockeys handicap hurdle, but with a number of the runners perhaps not ideally suited to this 2m4f trip. Mr Snoozy surprised a few onlookers when winning at Hexham latest, yet remains competitively handicapped on historic form over this trip following a mere 2lb rise and should make the frame. However, the horse with untapped potential is the Peter Bowen trained Ffos Las winner ATOMIC RUMBLE. Life promises to be tougher following a 9lb rise, but a drop back in trip shouldn't prove problematic and he's expected to be strong at the finish alongside the other proven stayer Lough Salt.