16:15 Aintree

Saturday 10 April 2021

All13:4514:2515:0015:3516:1517:1518:20

Betway Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 6m 28.70s

Top Notch^p²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Luca Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 154| C

8/1

Not as good as he was but still showed very smart form when third in the Paddy Power Plate at the Cheltenham Festival under this rider, beaten only by a very well-treated Irish pair. Back up in trip.

Form: P/113-63

Lalor^p⁴⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Aidan Coleman| T: K Woollacott| OR: 151| C

14/1

Mostly disappointed since making a winning chase bow in Grade 2 at Cheltenham but responded very well to headgear when going close in a couple of Cheltenham Grade 3 handicaps last winter. Off since.

Form: 3P6/433-

Happygolucky²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 149| BF| D

11/4

Made up into a useful novice hurdler last season and has continued progress over fences this term, winning 2 of 4 starts and beaten only by a rejuvenated one in the Ultima at Cheltenham. Big player.

Form: 34-1212

Spiritofthegames^p²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 144

7/1

Regular in competitive handicaps and returned with a good second at Cheltenham. Creditable efforts over hurdles last 2 starts, eighth of 22 in Pertemps Final at Festival. Respected back chasing

Form: 6-24828

Fagan⁸⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 142

12/1

Clearly retains all his ability and resumed winning ways in emphatic fashion at Newbury in January. Better ground here won't be a problem and should remain competitive despite 10 lb rise.

Form: P/70-631

Mr Whipped^p⁷³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: B Ellison| OR: 142

40/1

Multiple hurdles winner, including a Grade 2. Off mark second attempt over fences at Haydock before good fourth in Grade 1 novice over C&D. Off 24 months and sold from Nicky Henderson for £26,000.

Form: 12P314/

Cloudy Glen²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 142

10/1

Improved when landing Southern National at Fontwell on reappearance. Form has been typically mixed since, though arrives on the back of a career-best second in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham.

Form: 6-150U2

Ofalltheginjoints^t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 141

20/1

Looked excellent chasing prospect when stylish winner of 3m Exeter handicap only to disappoint when last of 4 in Grade 2 at Doncaster. Outclassed at the Cheltenham Festival since. Back in a handicap.

Form: 44-314P

Hold The Note^v²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: T Scudamore| T: M R Channon| OR: 140

10/1

Still winless in this sphere and mixed bag this term, though far from disgraced when fourth of 21 in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival 3 weeks ago.

Form: 443524

Snow Leopardess²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: B S Hughes| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 138

8/1

Has come to chasing late but taken to it very well, landing 3m1f handicap at Haydock before good efforts in defeat in Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby and Grade 2 at Cheltenham Festival. Considered.

Form: 2-32124

Johnbb¹⁰⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: J J Burke| T: T Lacey| OR: 137| BF

9/1

Quickly bettered hurdles form sent chasing last season, winning 2m Sandown handicap. Resumed progress when making a winning return at Wetherby before falling there on Boxing Day. Remains unexposed.

Form: 3/316-1F

Kilfilum Cross^b1²³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-4| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 132| D

40/1

Useful sort but signs of decline this term, well held in Kim Muir at Cheltenham last time having finished second in the previous 2 renewals. Change of headgear. Others preferred despite falling mark.

Form: 2-4P7P0

Calipso Collonges^p1,t³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 128

22/1

Just one win over fences. Set a couple of stiff tasks this winter and offered more eased slightly in class when third at Sandown/Ludlow. Likely to find this too competitive, though. Headgear on.

Form: 62-4P33

Non-Runners

Sam Brown¹⁶⁰

Weight: 11-10| Age: 9

T: A J Honeyball J: H Cobden

Ramses De Teillee²¹

Weight: 11-8| Age: 9

T: D Pipe J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Happygolucky (11/4), Spiritofthegames (7/1), Snow Leopardess (8/1), Top Notch (8/1), Johnbb (9/1), Sam Brown (10/1), Hold The Note (10/1), Cloudy Glen (10/1), Fagan (12/1), Lalor (14/1), Ramses De Teillee (16/1), Ofalltheginjoints (20/1), Calipso Collonges (22/1), Mr Whipped (40/1), Kilfilum Cross (40/1)

Progressive novice HAPPYGOLUCKY was beaten only by a rejuvenated/well-handicapped sort in the Ultima at Cheltenham last month and looks a worthy favourite as he bids to go one place better off only 2 lb higher. Top Notch and Cloudy Glen also ran crackers at the Festival and head the dangers, while the unexposed Sam Brown is an interesting runner on his handicap debut.