14:00 Aintree

Sunday 29 October 2023

All12:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:20

Jewson Fast Set Finish Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:02 | Winning time: 5m 9.85s

Hitman^p,t¹⁹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 158| D

7/2

Just denied in this on return last season off 1 lb higher before easy winner at Haydock. Excuses next 2 starts (reportedly bled in King George) and bounced back with an excellent third in Ryanair at Cheltenham. Might have found Grade 1 here coming too soon since. Big run expected.

Form: 21P236-

Tommy's Oscar²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 157

4/1

Smart hurdler and even better over fences, winning Grade 2 at Doncaster in January. Better than ever when making a winning return at Kelso in good style and should be suited by the demands of this race.

Form: 25212-1

Minella Drama¹⁹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 155| D

9/1

Smart hurdler/chaser who capitalised on a drop back to handicap company when scoring comfortably over fences at Musselburgh/Kelso. Ran as well as could have been expected when 7 lengths third in Grade 1 in Melling Chase (14/1) at this C&D (good to soft) final start. High enough in weights now.

Form: 2/43113-

Al Dancer^t¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: S Thomas| OR: 154| C

9/1

Smart chaser who returned as good as ever when landing the Grand Sefton here last term. Let down by jumping in Topham on only subsequent outing that season but better than ever when again making a winning comeback at Chepstow in impressive fashion. Career high mark to deal with now but respected.

Form: 532/10-1

Hang In There⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 153| D

20/1

Scored 5 times (at up to 21.4f) last season and better than ever when returning to winning ways at Stratford and Worcester last 2 starts. Opposable up 10 lb in much better race now, though.

Form: 4-25311

My Drogo⁶⁸⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 153| CD

4/1

Made it 4-4 over hurdles in Grade 1 here in April 2021 and looked set to make a winning start/return over fences when departing at Cheltenham. Made amends there following month but off since (22 months). Remains an exciting chasing prospect and opening mark potentially a good one on hurdles form.

Form: 1111F1/

Datsalrightgino¹⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 149| D

17/2

Career best when winning 6-runner Grade 2 Novices' Chase at Ayr (20.5f, good, 8/1) in April on final start by 1¾ lengths, staying on well. Likeable type who may improve further over fences, so needs considering on return.

Form: 3422P1-

Jetoile^t¹⁸⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: D A Jacob| T: R Potter| OR: 146| D

25/1

Ended last season on the upgrade, winning 2 handicaps at Chepstow in good style. This much more competitive but respected nonetheless.

Form: 532411-

Courtland⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 144| D

22/1

Like many from the yard he's thrived this summer, completing a hat-trick before an excellent second in the Summer Plate at Market Rasen. Resumed winning ways at Worcester 68 days ago, forging clear. Hit with a further 10 lb rise and looks high enough in weights now up in class.

Form: 6-11121

Erne River¹⁸³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Charlie Hammond| T: N Kent| OR: 142

22/1

Useful over hurdles and fences but build on return last season back over hurdles. Bit to prove switched back to chasing after 6 months off.

Form: 3/22408-

Do Your Job^t³²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 142| DWS

9/1

Grade 2 winning novice chaser but below par all 3 starts last season (let down by jumping), including when going off favourite for this race on return. Off 10 months. First run for yard after leaving Michael Scudamore.

Form: 211/655-

Forecasts

Hitman (7/2), Tommy's Oscar (4/1), My Drogo (4/1), Datsalrightgino (17/2), Minella Drama (9/1), Al Dancer (9/1), Do Your Job (9/1), Hang In There (20/1), Courtland (22/1), Erne River (22/1), Jetoile (25/1)

A fascinating renewal but the way TOMMY'S OSCAR made a faultless winning comeback at Kelso suggests he can fulfil his potential in 2023/24 after a rather hit-and-miss novice campaign. Datsalrightgino showed why he went off favourite for the Plate at Cheltenham when winning a Grade 2 at Ayr on his final start and is another to consider, while My Drogo has been off for almost 2 years with a tendon injury but remains an exciting chasing prospect.