17:15 Aintree

Friday 5 April 2019

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

Weatherbys Racing Bank Standard Open NH Flat Race (Grade 2)

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 4m 7.70s

Ebony Jewel²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander

11/2

Promising effort on debut at Haydock in December, after which he was sold for £70,000. Effortlessly off the mark last month at Ayr (2m, soft); he's rising sharply in class for this contest.

Form: 21

Malystic⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: P D Niven

50/1

Debut scorer at Newcastle in December on good ground and then found one too strong in four-runner Musselburgh race (1m7½f, good) under penalty. Winner since on the AW but this is a big step up.

Form: 121

Master Debonair²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 125| D

8/1

Gained second bumper win when taking Listed Cheltenham contest in November and ran much too freely back there last month in the Champion Bumper, paying the price late on. Should be sharper for it and player if settling.

Form: 1210

McFabulous³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

2/1

Half-brother to Waiting Patiently, 2-3 in bumper so far having won at Newbury last month. Previously finished the thick end of 12L behind Master Debonair at Cheltenham in November.

Form: 171

Onthefrontfoot³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| D

33/1

Won an Irish point at the fourth attempt in October and changed hands for £30,000 shortly after. Scored on debut at Sedgefield last month, will be asked for plenty more this time.

Form: U2F11

Thebannerkingrebel³⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 124| DWS

14/1

Was 2-2 in bumper before being pulled up in last year's Champion Bumper at Cheltenham (sent off 33-1) and hasn't been spotted since. Others are favoured.

Form: 11P-

The Cob²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: B Pauling| BF

40/1

Couple of sound efforts in bumpers at Ffos Las and Uttoxeter since the turn of the year but left needing plenty more on the bare form seemingly. Handles cut in the ground.

Form: 23

Santa Rossa⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr F Maguire| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 120

3/1

Has impressed in winning both starts in Ireland so far, latest in a routinely strong mares' Grade 2 at Leopardstown in February. Skipped Cheltenham to come here and goes on the shortlist.

Form: 11

Blackhillsofdakota⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: J Halley

12/1

Flat bred by Galileo out of a Darshaan mare. Improved from Thurles debut second behind Dewcup when winning Listed Limerick event just five days ago, showing guts to hold on. Going the right way, if this doesn't come too quickly.

Form: 21

Book Of Invasions³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: J Ryan| OR: 112

40/1

Cost £65,000 after winning debut at Doncaster in September, held in Cheltenham Listed bumper on New Year's Day (third) and again in four-runner Musselburgh race in February; form that leaves him with a lot to find now.

Form: 2132

Dewcup¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Ruby Walsh| T: T M Walsh

8/1

Slightly disappointing on debut at Leopardstown last month but came on significantly to win next time at Thurles and runner-up Blackhillsofdakota has since taken a Listed win at Limerick. Ruby Walsh doesn't often ride in bumpers.

Form: 31

Hazm²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan

33/1

Shamardal gelding, didn't cost the sort of money some of these commanded but made pleasing start at Stratford last month with smooth win. Could improve for that, but this is a much deeper event/rise in class.

Form: 1

Non-Runners

Montego Grey¹⁰⁵

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: D Skelton J: Non Runner

Sidi Ismael¹⁰

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: K Dalgleish J: Billy Garritty

Adjourned¹⁷⁷

Weight: 10-12| Age: 4

T: K Bailey & M Nicholls J: David Bass

Forecasts

McFabulous (2/1), Santa Rossa (3/1), Ebony Jewel (11/2), Dewcup (8/1), Master Debonair (8/1), Blackhillsofdakota (12/1), Montego Grey (12/1), Thebannerkingrebel (14/1), Adjourned (16/1), Onthefrontfoot (33/1), Sidi Ismael (33/1), Hazm (33/1), The Cob (40/1), Book Of Invasions (40/1), Malystic (50/1)

Mcfabulous was very impressive last month at Newbury and comes here in flying form with sound claims but he was no match for Master Debonair earlier in the term at Cheltenham. Colin Tizzard's runner was too keen in a falsely run Champion Bumper last month and should have more to offer – he leads the British challenge. The presence of Ruby Walsh on Dewcup is eye-catching and his Thurles win was advertised by runner-up Blackhillsofdakota winning in Listed company at Limerick on Sunday. Unbeaten mare SANTA ROSS is the one they might all need to fear. She skipped Cheltenham in favour of this contest and looks a smart sort following her Grade 2 Leopardstown win.