16:15 Aintree

Saturday 15 April 2023

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

William Hill Handicap Chase (Registered As The Freebooter Handicap Chase) (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 6m 20.08s

Eldorado Allen^p,t²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 158

10/1

Very smart but his limitations have been exposed at the highest level, remote seventh in Gold Cup at Cheltenham last month. Not particularly well treated back in a handicap.

Form: 7-22457

Midnight River^t1³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 151

15/2

Useful novice hurdler who gained second chase success at Stratford and stepped up again when gamely landing Cheltenham handicap on New Year's Day. Failed to meet expectations in Magners Plate at the Festival since but very much the type to bounce back. Tongue strap on. Stamina slight concern.

Form: P3-1310

Nassalam^p³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 143

13/2

Had a good first season over fences, taking Newbury Grade 2 and ending campaign with success at Fontwell. Easily best effort this term when excellent third (in this headgear) at Cheltenham (20.6f) on New Year's Day. Let down by jumping in Ultima at the Festival since but well worth another chance.

Form: 21-5630

Gold Cup Bailly^t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: D A Jacob| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 143

12/1

Useful chaser who won first 3 starts this season, including 2 small-field handicaps at Ayr. Good second there next time but well held upped in class (Grade 3) at Naas. This more suitable and remains low mileage.

Form: 3-11124

Beauport³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Jordan Nailor| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 142

9/2

Likeable, progressive hurdler who made fine start over fences when landing listed Colin Parker Chase at Carlisle on return. Yet to build on that but shaped better than the distance beaten suggests in Kim Muir at Cheltenham Festival last month, travelling better than most for a long way (lost shoe).

Form: 14-1249

Karl Philippe³²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 141

18/1

Resumed with 2m 4f win at Wetherby in November and backed it up off 7 lb higher mark when second in handicap there on Boxing Day. However, seemed to find the jump to top-level handicaps a bit too much at Cheltenham last 2 starts.

Form: 12-1277

Shakem Up'arry^t³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Luca Morgan| T: B Pauling| OR: 140

9/2

Proved better than ever (tongue tied) when making winning return at Exeter and shaped well when fifth behind Midnight River at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, possibly making move sooner than ideal. Finished in front of that one when third in Magners Plate at the Festival. One to consider up in trip.

Form: 323-153

Kinondo Kwetu^t1⁵⁶

10/1

Off mark over hurdles on final start last season and has made a very good start to his chase career, winning first 5 starts, including 4-runner handicap in October. Well held in Grade 2 at Ascot after 4 months off but remains of interest back in a handicap. Tongue strap on 1st time.

Form: 111113

Castle Robin^p,t⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Paul O'Brien| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 136

25/1

Ended last season on the up over fences, scoring at Doncaster and Wetherby. Excuses first 2 starts this term before resuming winning ways at Sandown, making most. Not in same form in Grimthorpe at Doncaster since but did make a bad mistake at the first.

Form: 11-4P14

Kapga De Lily⁶²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 136| D

25/1

Likeable mare who made a winning reappearance last season before following up at Hereford. All the better for return this time when good third in handicap at Wincanton and similar form when third of 5 in listed chase at Exeter soon after. Should run her race again.

Form: 155-433

Darrens Hope²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: R Murphy| OR: 132

25/1

Dual scorer over fences but arrives out of form and partlicularly well handicapped even if back to best.

Form: 81PP55

Coconut Splash⁸⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 130

9/1

Maiden hurdle winner who has shown useful form in defeat over fences but likely to find this too competitive. 2 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 332-3P2

Bowtogreatness³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 130

12/1

Dual novice hurdle winner (at around 2½m) and better form when twice placed over fences earlier this term. Overfaced in Grade 1 company next time but excuses both starts in handicaps since. 2 lb out of weights here, though. Bred to stay.

Form: 0-235P0

Daly Tiger^p⁷⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Patrick Cowley⁽³⁾| T: L Morgan| OR: 128

50/1

Very smart chaser at best for Noel Meade and won a minor event over hurdles at Limerick last season. However, has lost his way since then, finishing well held all 4 starts for current connections.

Form: F-06380

Handsworth^p²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 120

80/1

Not disgraced when third at Navan last time but firmly up against it from long way out of the handicap.

Form: 220BP3

Forecasts

Shakem Up'arry (9/2), Beauport (9/2), Nassalam (13/2), Midnight River (15/2), Coconut Splash (9/1), Kinondo Kwetu (10/1), Eldorado Allen (10/1), Bowtogreatness (12/1), Gold Cup Bailly (12/1), Karl Philippe (18/1), Darrens Hope (25/1), Kapga De Lily (25/1), Castle Robin (25/1), Daly Tiger (50/1), Handsworth (80/1)

SHAKEM UP'ARRY has really impressed with how he's travelled since the tongue strap was fitted, producing another cracking effort when third in the Magners Plate at the Cheltenham Festival, and he may just get away with the longer trip at this flatter track. Midnight River and Nassalam failed to meet expectations in the same race at Cheltenham but both are likely to bounce back given their profiles, while Beauport will be suited by the drop back in trip given how he shaped in the Kim Muir.