13:45 Aintree

Friday 8 April 2022

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

20 Years Together, Alder Hey & Aintree Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:46 | Winning time: 4m 53.51s

Hang In There¹⁷⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 148

80/1

Dual 2m winner this season but his run of good form came to an end when only seventh in Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las in October. Steps back up in trip on return from break. No easy task under clear top weight.

Form: 2-12127

Garry Clermont^p²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 141| C

25/1

Likeable handicap hurdler who has continued his progress this season, winning at Wetherby and placed 3 times at Ascot. Might have found 21f on very testing ground stretching him in Coral Cup at Cheltenham Festival.

Form: 3-1233P

Cobblers Dream^h,t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁵⁾| T: B I Case| OR: 140

4/1

Upwardly mobile novice hurdler who made a winning start in handicaps at Doncaster and followed up in the Lanzarote at Kempton 5 weeks later. Progressed again when excellent second in Martin Pipe at Cheltenham last month. Nudged up another 4 lb but still much respected.

Form: 132112

Fils D'oudairies⁷⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 140| D

10/1

Hurdles winner in France who showed useful form despite some sketchy jumping over fences for Joseph O'Brien last season. Solid start for new stable when second in 19f Ascot handicap hurdle in January. Claims if able to build on that.

Form: 25FF-P2

Langer Dan²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 137| BF

4/1

Well clear of rest when second to Galopin des Champs in 2021 Martin Pipe. Sent off favourite for this year's renewal of that race but was brought down at the second. Worth another chance.

Form: 5412-6B

Tronador^p²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 136| CD

22/1

Won this race a year ago. Hasn't fired since, although he may have needed the run after a break at Cheltenham. No surprise if he revives back here but he is running off 8 lb higher than 12 months ago.

Form: 9/710-P0

Top Moon²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 135| D

150/1

Very useful hurdler/chaser for Joseph O'Brien but well held in Coral Cup on yard debut last month. Others much more obvious.

Form: 3PP300

Lucky Max²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 134

40/1

Started the season with 3 wins in Ireland. Handicapper has held the upper hand since but it's possible he could find some improvement having switched to Dan Skelton.

Form: 11187U

Balco Coastal²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134| BF

8/1

Going the right way until pulled up in the Imperial Cup at Sandown last month, the very testing ground on that occasion providing a possible excuse. No surprise were he to resume his progression now.

Form: 17-112P

Quinta Do Mar²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 133

25/1

Ready winner of handicaps at Carlisle and Fontwell this winter. Looked set for a place when coming down at the last in the Lanzarote at Kempton in January but he could only mange a mid-field finish in Martin Pipe at Cheltenham.

Form: 4-114F0

Highway One O Two⁸³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 133

16/1

Ended losing run when capitalising on a reduced mark in 19f Taunton handicap in December and backed that up when excellent second to Cobblers Dream in Lanzarote at Kempton. Player for his very much in-form stable.

Form: 2-75512

Paddys Motorbike^p,t²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Finn Lambert⁽⁷⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 133| D

22/1

Chase winner at Fakenham on reappearance. Didn't jump well enough at Kempton next time but back on track returned to hurdles when second of 17 there 3 weeks ago. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 115-132

Rockadenn^t⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Nick Scholfield| T: A Ralph| OR: 132| BF

100/1

Back to best on second run for yard when runner-up in handicap hurdle at Haydock in December. Tough ask in Champion Hurdle Trial there next time and creditable third in 2m Wetherby handicap chase since. Back up in trip.

Form: P-37254

Navajo Pass^t1⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 132| D

33/1

Smart hurdler last term, including Haydock Grade 2 win, but not at same level this time round, despite his yard's excellent form in general. Remains to be seen if a first-time tongue tie makes the difference.

Form: 13-0740

Politesse^t¹⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: C J Orr⁽³⁾| T: L Fowler| OR: 132| D

20/1

Useful form when making a winning chase debut at Punchestown last May, although she was on the reteat when unseating 2 out in a Cork Grade 2 5 months later. Had another break since ahead of this handicap debut back hurdling.

Form: 1/554-1U

Broomfield Burg²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Henderson| OR: 132

9/1

Dual novice hurdle winner but he has looked bit tricky on occasions and he was only seventh when sent off favourite for the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury in February. Had an excuse in the County (stumbled badly after 3 out) but this longer trip isn't sure to suit this keen-goer.

Form: 122170

Solwara One⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 130

40/1

Progressive hurdler last term but hasn't looked the same force (including over fences) this time round, so doesn't make much obvious appeal.

Form: 16-FFU9

Speech Bubble⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: D N Russell| T: Noel Williams| OR: 130

8/1

Bumper winner who built on her hurdling debut promise when scoring with a bit in hand at Newbury in January. Improved again when chasing home Cheltenham Festival winner Love Envoi in Sandown Grade 2 since. Opening mark looks workable.

Form: 162-212

Fred⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 130

66/1

Useful novice hurdler during 2019/20. Seen only 4 times subsequently, finishing a distant last of 4 in a Kempton handicap chase on his latest start in February. Has plenty to prove at present.

Form: 11/40-74

Mackenberg³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 130| D

33/1

Talented sort who arrives on the back of a trio of chase wins this year. Has a 10 lb lower mark over hurdles so has to be of some interest for a stable enjoying a tremendous season.

Form: 1-37111

Peking Rose^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 130

17/2

Fairly useful novice hurdler, winning once and placed on his 3 other starts this year, including when stepped up to this trip at Newbury last time. Relatively unexposed now switching to handicap company for the first time.

Form: 42-3122

Non-Runners

Some Day Soon¹⁶⁶

Weight: 11-1| Age: 9

T: Jamie Snowden J: Adrian Heskin

Forecasts

Langer Dan (4/1), Cobblers Dream (4/1), Balco Coastal (8/1), Speech Bubble (8/1), Peking Rose (17/2), Broomfield Burg (9/1), Fils D'oudairies (10/1), Highway One O Two (16/1), Politesse (20/1), Paddys Motorbike (22/1), Tronador (22/1), Garry Clermont (25/1), Quinta Do Mar (25/1), Some Day Soon (33/1), Navajo Pass (33/1), Mackenberg (33/1), Lucky Max (40/1), Solwara One (40/1), Fred (66/1), Hang In There (80/1), Rockadenn (100/1), Top Moon (150/1)

LANGER DAN didn't get the chance to show what he could do in the Martin Pipe but the fact he went off favourite suggests connections were hopeful he was back in the same form as when second in that race last year and he's well worth another chance. The Chris Gordon stable is in excellent form so Highway One O Two, who was runner-up off a higher mark last season, has to be on the shortlist. Nicky Henderson pair Balco Coastal and Fils d'Oudairies are also respected along with Cobblers Dream.