14:25 Aintree

Saturday 15 April 2023

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

Village Hotels Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 6m 4.6s

Good Time Jonny^t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Liam McKenna⁽⁵⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 147

11/2

Three-time winner last term who produced a pretty astonishing performance to land the Pertemps at Cheltenham last month, only a couple behind 2 out and finding plenty to lead final 100 yds. 5 lb rise on the back of that looks fair and he's well in the mix again.

Form: P40301

Itchy Feet³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 142| D

25/1

Rejuvenated by return to hurdles when landing 12-runner Huntingdon handicap (25f) in January prior to good second in Grade 2 next time. Not disgraced when midfield in Pertemps on his latest outing but his present mark demands that bit more in competitive races of this nature.

Form: P-46120

Erne River⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Charlie Hammond| T: N Kent| OR: 142| BF

33/1

Dual novice hurdle winner who improved to score twice over fences at around 21f last year. Bright start to present campaign, not least when second back over hurdles at Doncaster (24.3f) in December. Latest run in Rendlesham was below par but given an 8-week break ahead of this.

Form: 1F3-224

Vina Ardanza²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Aidan Kelly⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 142

28/1

Useful hurdler who produced best effort to date when runner-up at Naas (20f) in November, closing all the way to the line. Disappointed at Leopardstown next time and probably found competition a little hot on return at Thurles last month. This more suitable

Form: FF9204

Gatsby Grey^t⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Phillip Enright| T: O McKiernan| OR: 141

14/1

Bumper/dual novice hurdle winner who ran best race to date tackling 3m for the first time when fifth at Leopardstown in February. Faced stiff task taking on some smart rivals back there (18.3f) 6 weeks ago and possible he can do better still back at this sort of trip.

Form: 1-2P753

Dolphin Square^p²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Jones| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 140

50/1

Five wins over hurdles and fences in a very productive 2021/22 campaign. Picked up where he'd left off with 3m Sandown handicap win on reappearance in December but below that level in his 3 outings since.

Form: 11-1408

Mill Green³⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 139

14/1

Ran a cracker when third in this race 12 months ago and, at the age of 11 has proved himself as good as ever in 2 starts this term, again filling third for second successive year in last month's Pertemps at Cheltenham. No reason why he won't give another good account of himself.

Form: U233-33

Bardenstown Lad^p⁶⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Ben Harvey⁽⁵⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 139

33/1

Useful hurdler last season, winning 4 times prior to an excellent third in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Well below that level in 3 starts over fences this campaign though, and he again struggled to make an impact back over hurdles at Musselburgh (23.8f) in February.

Form: 3-F5339

An Tailliur³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 139

10/1

Major improver in handicaps last season, winning a remarkable 7 times and still has races in him from this mark judged on recent exploits, not really getting the rub of the green but staying on into sixth in last month's Pertemps at Cheltenham. Worth considering here.

Form: 121-236

Party Business^p⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: C J Todd| T: Ian Williams| OR: 137| CD

16/1

Real eye-catcher at last year's Cheltenham Festival and confirmed as much when running out a determined winner of this race 12 months ago. Pretty low-key efforts upon returning to action this year but no surprise to see a better showing here and his mark has eased.

Form: 551-495

Glimpse Of Gala^p³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: B Roberts⁽⁷⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 136| D

40/1

Likeable mare who scored at Kempton (24.5f) over Christmas and she again proved tenacious when following up at Warwick (25f) in January. Not at her best from career-high mark in the Pertemps 4 weeks ago but her regular pilot returns to take off a handy 7 lb here.

Form: 322110

West Balboa⁹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 135

9/2

Low-mileage mare who is clearly well regarded, runner-up in Grade 1 Challow on just her second start last winter. Improved again this term, second on return/handicap debut at Sandown and career-best effort to land 20-runner Lanzarote Hurdle (21f) in January. Big player with more to come upped to 3m.

Form: 2/12-21

Outlaw Peter^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 135

17/2

Improving 7-y-o who is compiling a good strike rate over hurdles, running out a convincing winner from 5 lb lower mark at Kempton (21f) in March. Feasible to think he hasn't finished improving yet and he remains unexposed at this sort of trip. Respected.

Form: 21P211

Au Fleuron^b1²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Kieren Buckley⁽³⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 134

12/1

Bumper/maiden hurdle winner during 2021 who has shaped as if ready for a crack at this sort of trip in recent starts, passing beaten rivals when eighth in last month's Martin Pipe (20.2f) at the Festival. Interesting connections reach for blinkers here, which could put an extra edge on him.

Form: 378-048

Pounding Poet^p1¹⁰⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: R T Dunne| T: T Lacey| OR: 133

50/1

Got back on the up in the autumn, proving most determined on the back of 4 months off when landing 4-runner Uttoxeter handicap (23.3f) in October. Latest Doncaster run in December was disappointing and whilst he's gone well fresh he was well held in this race 12 months ago. Cheekpieces reached for.

Form: 70-1416

Gaelik Coast^t⁶⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 131

150/1

Useful winning chaser and in good form back hurdling this season, winning at Worcester in June and back to his best when runner-up at Doncaster (19.5f, good) in December. Below par both subsequent starts, though, and he may well come up short again here.

Form: 9382F6

Dallas Des Pictons²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: B S Hughes| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 129

125/1

Useful hurdler/chaser who ended a long losing run in 3m Cork handicap hurdle on final start for Gordon Elliott in August. Good second back chasing for his new yard at Carlisle in October but disappointing over both sets of obstacles since.

Form: 627P93

Mexico¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 129

7/1

Bumper winner who opened his account over hurdles in a Southwell novice (2½m) in December. Found some improvement for increase in trip when successful at Uttoxeter (23.3f) 2 weeks ago and whilst this demands more back in a handicap, he's still unexposed at around 3m. Yard won this 2 years ago.

Form: 214381

Moon Hunter²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly| OR: 129| BF

22/1

Winning pointer who landed first 2 starts over hurdles and left Warwick Grade 2 disappointment in his wake when chasing home Henry's Friend in a Doncaster novice 919.4f) 4 weeks ago. 4 lb better off with that rival now switched to handicaps and he promises to be suited by this longer trip.

Form: 21-11P2

Henry's Friend^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 128| C

8/1

Landed a course novice (at 20f) on debut back in May and improved during the winter, runner-up in Sandown Grade 2 in December. Below best at Newcastle (20.3f) in January but quickly back to form when taking 8-runner Doncaster novice (19.4f) 4 weeks ago. May do better now handicapping at 3m.

Form: 13241

Starzov⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: P J O'Hanlon⁽³⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 128

50/1

Well served by emphasis on stamina when doubling career tally in a Cork novice (2m) in January. Backed that up with a keeping on third in a 20f novice at Punchestown later that month but return to this longer trip needs to bring about further improvement in race of this nature.

Form: 580F13

Regarding Ruth^p⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Bryony Frost| T: L Wadham| OR: 127

100/1

Tasted success 3 times during 2020/21 but absent 22 months and that told late on when last of 8 in a Newbury handicap (3m) back in February. Eased 1 lb on the back of that but others understandably arrive with more compelling claims.

Form: P714/1-8

Forecasts

West Balboa (9/2), Good Time Jonny (11/2), Mexico (7/1), Henry's Friend (8/1), Outlaw Peter (17/2), An Tailliur (10/1), Au Fleuron (12/1), Mill Green (14/1), Gatsby Grey (14/1), Party Business (16/1), Moon Hunter (22/1), Itchy Feet (25/1), Vina Ardanza (28/1), Erne River (33/1), Bardenstown Lad (33/1), Glimpse Of Gala (40/1), Pounding Poet (50/1), Starzov (50/1), Dolphin Square (50/1), Regarding Ruth (100/1), Dallas Des Pictons (125/1), Gaelik Coast (150/1)

Claims can be made for plenty with the narrow vote in favour of WEST BALBOA. Clearly held in high regard, she produced her best effort yet when landing the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton in January, and wisely given a break since, there's a strong possibility she can do better still now her stamina is drawn out further. Good Time Jonny produced a smashing effort to land the Pertemps last month and is feared. An Tailliur, Au Fleuron and last year's winner Party Business complete the shortlist.