Madness Playing At Aintree Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 19:10 | Winning time: 4m 12.70s

Theatre Legend³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: C Grant| OR: 135| D

2/1

Dual bumper winner who has really found her feet over hurdles since being switched to handicaps of late (2-2 in that sphere). Returns to novice company at the top of her game but does have to concede weight to the entire field.

Form: 70/3311-

Ferrobin¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 134| BF

7/4

Promise in his bumper and early hurdles runs before he won at Huntingdon (2m) off the back of wind surgery. Had his limitations exposed since; in a first-time hood blew an easy chance last time (folded quickly); back to 2m, questions to answer.

Form: 3212F-2

Santani⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds

7/4

Useful Flat maiden in France (0-15) but had no trouble winning on his GB/stable/hurdle debut at Ludlow when favourite (simple task). Ran into a useful prospect when attempting to concede his penalty last time; has to be respected.

Form: 1-2

Real King⁹⁸⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: C T Pogson

25/1

Not seen for an awful long time although those with long memories will remember that he did show some ability on his sole start so far in a Southwell bumper. Expecting to much for him to trouble the principals here though; can only be watched.

Form: 3/

Non-Runners

De Good Man Luke¹³

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: J Coulson J: Callum McKinnes

Forecasts

Ferrobin (7/4), Santani (7/4), Theatre Legend (2/1), Real King (25/1), De Good Man Luke (100/1)

With two of the runners looking to have a limited chance given what they have shown so far this should involve the three major players with the ever-improving THEATRE LEGEND taken to win again despite having to cope with a double penalty; his handicap form suggests he is well up to the task. The manner in which Ferrobin stopped on the run-in last time at Warwick suggested a problem although the trip could have just been too far but he does come here under a cloud. Santani failed to win on the Flat in France but he looks more than at home over hurdles and his second to a smart type at Ludlow recently plus his win mark him down as the main danger here.