17:50 Aintree

Friday 14 May 2021

All17:2017:5018:2519:0019:3520:0520:35

racingtv.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:50 | Winning time: 4m 56.48s

Ballywood⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 136

14/1

Useful 2m chaser in 2019. Ended last term under a cloud though so he needs to get back on track now despite a falling mark.

Form: 6/26654-

Militarian^p²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: J Martin⁽⁷⁾| T: Andrew Martin| OR: 133| D

6/1

Useful chaser on his day. Has faced stiff task last two runs, cheekpieces on when last of 4 to Frodon in Oaksey Chase at Sandown 20 days ago. Respected back in handicap company.

Form: 50/38P4-

Maypole Class⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 130| D

12/1

Progressed well initially over fences last season, winning handicaps around 2m4f at Bangor and Fakenham. Has failed to finish last two starts, however, so has it to prove now.

Form: P/011PP-

Captain Tom Cat³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 125| BF

5/6

Completed a hat-trick over hurdles last autumn and posted good third in 2m4f handicap hurdle at Cheltenham 30 days ago. Makes chase debut now and not ruled out for good yard.

Form: 111363-

Isaac Wonder^b²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: M Scudamore| OR: 123

8/1

Scored at Southwell last summer and arrives in good nick, third of 6 in handicap chase at Perth (16f, good) 22 days ago. Needs considering now stepped up in trip.

Form: 3/14P23-

Empire De Maulde^p³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 122| D

16/1

Dual winner last season at Hexham and Kelso who looked rusty after 3 months off/wind op when fourth of 6 in handicap chase at Kelso (23.4f, good) 33 days ago. Should strip fitter now.

Form: 172314-

Solar Impulse^p²³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: C J Todd⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 118

13/2

Has proved hard to catch right since scoring at Southwell last August, last of 2 in 2m handicap chase at Ludlow 23 days ago. Easing in the weights but others still appeal more.

Form: 36P2P2-

Non-Runners

Mr Whipped³⁴

Weight: 12-2| Age: 8

T: B Ellison J: Ryan Mania

Hollywoodien⁶²

Weight: 12-1| Age: 10

T: T Symonds J: Aidan Coleman

Forecasts

Captain Tom Cat (5/6), Hollywoodien (9/4), Militarian (6/1), Solar Impulse (13/2), Isaac Wonder (8/1), Maypole Class (12/1), Ballywood (14/1), Empire De Maulde (16/1), Mr Whipped (33/1)

Plenty of these arrive with question marks against them so it could be worth siding with CAPTAIN TOM CAT to make a winning start over fences given he arrives in excellent form over hurdles and is in the excellent hands of Dr Richard Newland. Hollywoodien is feared most on the back of his Hereford second with Empire de Maulde also worth considering with his Kelso fourth under his belt.