12:55 Aintree

Saturday 4 December 2021

All11:1511:4512:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:15

Unibet Working With Raceday RTV Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:57 | Winning time: 5m 30.37s

Riders Onthe Storm^t1²⁸⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: Nick Scholfield| T: R Hobson| OR: 147| CD

20/1

Looked a classy chaser in 2019/20 but lost his way for Nigel Twiston-Davies last season, so returns from 9 months off with plenty to prove.

Form: 11F/33P-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

The Big Bite³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: J J Burke| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 147| C

10/1

Winning start for this yard on return at Aintree last term and followed that with a couple of creditable efforts in defeat. Let down by jumping the last twice, though, so others make more appeal.

Form: 2/1236-U

Umbrigado^p,t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 146| D

9/1

Made big strides forward over fences last season, completing hat-trick in Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury in March. Satisfactory couple of spins over hurdles so far this term, so one to consider.

Form: 1116-03

Annual Invictus¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: C Gordon| OR: 144| D

4/1

Progressive novice hurdler and quickly even better over fences, landing Cheltenham handicap over this trip in October before easily landing the odds in a match at Plumpton. Excellent claims.

Form: 114-211

Reserve Tank³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: R T Dunne| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 139| BF| CD

13/2

Useful hurdler/chaser who hasn't won for a while but was in the process of running well when falling at Stratford 37 days ago. Not a forlorn hope.

Form: 5PP-52F

Pink Legend¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 136| D

6/1

Highly likeable chaser who returned with a career-best effort to make all at Ascot on reappearance, albeit capitalising on the shortcomings of others to some degree. Should give her all again.

Form: 24221-1

No Getaway²⁶⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 134| D

20/1

Easy winner of Sandown handicap chase in February and shaped as if still in form (found little) on sole start since. Unexposed in this sphere and yard are likely to have him fit for this return.

Form: 92/2415-

Galahad Quest^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: David Noonan| T: Nick Williams| OR: 134| D

4/1

Grade 2 hurdles winner who made it third time lucky over fences at Haydock (19.9f) in February. Better than result both outings this season, so claims if they go a solid gallop.

Form: 4931-35

Clan Legend^t¹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N W Alexander| OR: 133| CD

12/1

In good form last season, including a win in this corresponding race (from 6 lb lower) last year. Solid return when third at Ayr 18 days ago, so all set for a bold showing despite his advancing years.

Form: 4/6123-3

Midnightreferendum²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: G Sheehan| T: A King| OR: 131

9/1

Useful mare who looked as good as ever when runner-up in listed company at Market Rasen on reappearance. Mark remains a fair one and this bigger field/stronger pace should suit her.

Form: F2333-2

Non-Runners

Palmers Hill²¹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 8

T: J & A O'Neill J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

Five Star Getaway⁵⁶

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: Christian Williams J: C Gethings

Nietzsche²¹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 8

T: B Ellison J: Henry Brooke

Forecasts

Annual Invictus (4/1), Galahad Quest (4/1), Palmers Hill (11/2), Pink Legend (6/1), Reserve Tank (13/2), Midnightreferendum (9/1), Umbrigado (9/1), The Big Bite (10/1), Clan Legend (12/1), Five Star Getaway (16/1), Riders Onthe Storm (20/1), No Getaway (20/1), Nietzsche (33/1)

ANNUAL INVICTUS was progressive as a hurdler and has hit the ground running switched to the larger obstacles this term, so he's fancied to complete a hat-trick with some solid jumping sure to hold him in good stead. Palmers Hill, who was going away at the finish at Wetherby last time, should pose a threat, while Galahad Quest is up to defying his current mark when everything drops right.