Aintree National Horse Show Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:55 | Winning time: 5m 4.60s

Sky Khan^p,t⁴⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁶⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 121| D

5/1

There are plenty of efforts in his form where he can be said to have run with credit but he's increasingly hard to win with (no success since November 2015). Lived up to that statement on his latest start showing up briefly until fading away.

Form: 242355-

Stop Talking²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: C Brace| T: J Candlish| OR: 118| D

4/1

Very progressive last season over hurdles taking four out her last five starts over trips such as this. Found events somewhat tougher over C&D last time from a career-high mark (made a short-lived effort); faces a slightly easier task here.

Form: 11141-8

Ormesher²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 115

7/1

Paid heavily in the handicap for a pair of soft ground juvenile wins last summer over shorter trips. Continued his disappointing form since when well beaten at Hexham last month (2m, good); jumping continues to disappoint, needs help in the handicap.

Form: 1154-3

River Icon³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Bruce Lynn⁽⁶⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 110

3/1

Having shaped with some encouragement of late she failed to build on that promise last time although she may not have had the run of the race. Probably better judged on her previous form with the handicapper starting to cut her some more slack.

Form: 445U6-5

Dancing Doug^p³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 109

7/4

Yet to win in bumpers or over hurdles but has shown some reasonable form in two starts for his current yard (placed both times). Beaten off this mark before in handicaps and whilst a solid account is on the cards others appeal more.

Form: 37362-3

Ballyfarsoon^v¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: K Yeoman⁽⁷⁾| T: P Winks| OR: 103

14/1

Went the wrong way from what was a reappearance that had some merit to it; lost his place rather quickly over 2m last time. Back into handicap company now his mark needs to drop a little more before he's of interest in handicaps.

Form: 0236-44

Non-Runners

David John²¹⁹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 8

T: J K Hunter J: Sam Coltherd

Forecasts

Dancing Doug (7/4), River Icon (3/1), Stop Talking (4/1), Sky Khan (5/1), Ormesher (7/1), Ballyfarsoon (14/1), David John (16/1)

None of these enter this opening handicap hurdle with unblemished claims and a chance is taken that this will be run in a more suitable fashion for RIVER ICON who was showing signs of recapturing her form before running below-par last time. Stop Talking is another who it’s possible to forgive for a disappointing last run over C&D having travelled quite strongly. Neither Dancing Doug or Ormesher (needs to jump better) looks that well handicapped while Sky Khan is hard to win with these days often flattering to deceive in his races.