16:40 Aintree

Thursday 4 April 2019

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

Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 16:43 | Winning time: 4m 6.20s

Lady Buttons²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 149| D

5/1

Admirable mare whose fine form this season has matched that of her trainer (won her first four races mixing chases/hurdles). Had her winning run ended in Grade 1 company last time (over hurdles); travels well, demands of this race should suit well.

Form: 4-11114

Whatswrongwithyou^h²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 144| D

7/1

Useful hurdler who landed a couple of small-field novice chases before appearing to suffer a culture shock in the Grand Annual (looked a quirky customer). Wasn't helped by an early mistake last time; faces a similar test here, others appeal more.

Form: 3-62117

Theflyingportrait^t²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 142| CD

40/1

Very likeable front-runner; turned in a career-best when winning at Wetherby before returning in the Grand Annual off a break (ridden more patiently). Found the test in this race too much last year; never won off a mark this high; set a tough task.

Form: 531210

Champagne At Tara²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 141| CD

14/1

Showed the better side of his temperament when landing back-to-back summer 2m handicap chases (one over C&D). Has found the winter competition far hotter with his now inflated mark giving him a stiff task here; never involved in the Grand Annual.

Form: 112659

Eamon An Cnoic^p,t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 139| D

6/1

Returned from a wind op when winning in good style at Chepstow (2m) in February (well backed). Topped that performance when fourth in a Grade 2 handicap at the Festival (beaten by three well-treated rivals); leading chance back over this 2m trip.

Form: P-85614

Demi Sang^t¹²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 138| D

40/1

Hurdles/chase winner during his time with Willie Mullins (pulled-up last two starts for that yard). Given a considerate ride on his only start for this yard but dropped away quickly and hard to think he's up to winning this off a long absence.

Form: 114PP-6

Brelan D'As^t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: B J Geraghty| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 138| D

6/1

Best of the quintet that ran in the Grand Annual finishing a fine third showing that he could cut it in more demanding company after two small-field novice wins. Up 2lb; needs to show he can repeat that run; novices have a good record in this.

Form: 221513

Cracking Find³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 137| BF| D

16/1

Useful/versatile handicap chaser who is enjoying a fine campaign; already scored in back-to-back 2m handicaps at Wetherby and Doncaster. Went down fighting last time out but does look too high in the weights; faces his biggest test here.

Form: 232113

Moon Over Germany⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 136| D

11/2

Trainer always to be respected with his 2m chasers although this one has to blossom again after disappointing on his last two starts. Finished last of four when last seen but is low mileage over fences; may still have something to offer.

Form: 50/3274

Adrrastos²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 133| D

12/1

Proving of interest in this sphere (3-5 over fences); impressed with his comeback run after 17 months off last month (travelled fluently; jumped soundly); won with a bit to spare. Raised 6lb and this is tougher but not one to ignore at a price.

Form: 3113P-1

Movie Legend^p³³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: L P Aspell| T: L Wadham| OR: 133| D

18/1

Consistent sort this campaign who once again improved for a wind op (his second) when winning at Wetherby, followed up at Doncaster (in game style). Hard to believe he can progress much more (handicapper in control); displays a good attitude though.

Form: 223211

Molineaux^t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: S Bowen| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 133| BF

12/1

Taken relatively to chasing winning a Wincanton 2m4f handicap early in the year before being put in his place back in novice company last time (not well-in at the weights). Returned to handicaps off a career-high mark; 2m may prove too sharp.

Form: 1-5U123

R'evelyn Pleasure²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Donagh Meyler| T: S O O'Brien| OR: 131| D

9/1

Irish raider who has sneaked in at the foot of the weights having won a couple of novice contests at up to 2m4f. Placed in two handicaps of late off slightly lower marks; will find this a totally different test to what he's been used to.

Form: F12143

Non-Runners

Diego Du Charmil⁷⁵

Weight: 11-12| Age: 7

T: P F Nicholls J: H Cobden

Forest Bihan²⁰

Weight: 11-10| Age: 8

T: B Ellison J: B S Hughes

Theinval⁸⁹

Weight: 11-3| Age: 9

T: N J Henderson J: J McGrath

Mcgroarty¹⁴⁵

Weight: 10-8| Age: 8

T: Dr R D P Newland J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Azzuri³³

Weight: 10-3| Age: 7

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

Lady Buttons (5/1), Moon Over Germany (11/2), Brelan D'As (6/1), Eamon An Cnoic (6/1), Whatswrongwithyou (7/1), Azzuri (7/1), R'evelyn Pleasure (9/1), Theinval (10/1), Adrrastos (12/1), Molineaux (12/1), Forest Bihan (12/1), Diego Du Charmil (12/1), Champagne At Tara (14/1), Cracking Find (16/1), Movie Legend (18/1), Mcgroarty (20/1), Theflyingportrait (40/1), Demi Sang (40/1)

A typically tough contest with a maximum field going to post in a race that novices have done well in with the best of those looking to be Grand Annual third Brelan D’As. The Grand Annual has often proved a good guide to this and that brings Forest Bihan into this he’s always looked one who will appreciate a flatter track that he will get here. Weight has proved tough to carry in this but Lady Buttons who should be suited by this test may be able to overcome her big weight with the runner-up for the last two year’s Theinval also in contention. A return to 2m will suit EAMON AN CNOIC after his excellent Festival run with Moon Over Germany and Adrrastos two to note at bigger prices.