15:15 Aintree

Saturday 9 December 2023

All11:1011:4512:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:15

BoyleSports Extra Place Races Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 5m 39.09s

Sonigino^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 137| D

10/3

Progressive type last season, winning 3 times before signing off the campaign with an excellent third over C&D in April. Promise when third in Silver Trophy at Chepstow and backed that up when fourth in last month's Greatwood at Cheltenham. In the mix eased in class.

Form: 1813-34

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Benson⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: William Maggs⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 137| D

15/2

Useful handicap hurdler who deservedly opened account for present yard at Musselburgh in January and followed up in Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso 2 months later. Creditable fourth on return/chase debut at Carlisle in October and interesting having finished runner-up in this 12 months ago.

Form: 2211P-4

Fingal's Hill¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Craig Nichol| T: P Atkinson| OR: 127| D

25/1

Real credit to connections, finding further progress as he extended his winning sequence on return from 6 months off at Carlisle (20f, soft) in November. Raced off the pace and not in same form when seventh of 10 in handicap hurdle at Haydock since, though.

Form: 811-117

Holmes St Georges²²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: D A Jacob| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 125

9/1

Fairly useful hurdler who opened his account at Musselburgh 13 months ago and made the frame all 4 starts thereafter, good third in Down Royal minor hurdle (3m) when last seen in May. Gone well fresh previously.

Form: 21222-3

Prince Zaltar²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Slevin| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 121| D

14/1

Irish raider who scored twice earlier in the year and returned from 4 month absence with a good sixth of 20 in handicap at Cheltenham (21f, soft) 3 weeks ago, faring best of those held up.

Form: 12-1546

Bashers Reflection^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Bannister| T: B I Case| OR: 121| D

4/1

Improved performer switched to handicaps, taking his form up another notch with his reappearance behind him to score at Wetherby (19.7f, heavy) 3 weeks ago. Handicapper applies a little more pressure but strong suspicion his progress hasn't levelled out yet. Player.

Form: 2411-31

Vicki Vale^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 121| D

4/1

Low-mileage mare who bookended first season over hurdles with victories in mares' events at Hereford/Taunton. Solid reappearance effort (following wind op) when second on handicap debut at Wincanton (21.3f) in November and she may well come on again from that.

Form: P2421-2

Voix Du Reve^p³¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: Danny McMenamin| T: I Jardine| OR: 120| D

40/1

Capitalised on a reduced mark when winning at Ayr (20.5f, good) in April and confirmed he retains plenty of zest in 2 starts this term, a shuddering error as he made his move ending his chance at Musselburgh 31 days ago. This tougher, however.

Form: 361-649

Largy Shark²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁵⁾| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 119| D

12/1

Lightly-raced 6-y-o who landed a brace of novice hurdles at upto 19.5f last season and shaped as if better for the run on return/handicap debut at Navan (2m) 3 weeks ago, his effort flattening out. Remains with potential now stepping back up in trip.

Form: 75/411-6

Chance A Tune³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 116

9/1

Solid comeback third from lengthy absence at Market Rasen in September and confirmed as much when running out an emphatic winner at Chepstow (2m, heavy) a month later. Latest Ascot fourth in a stronger race was another creditable display and return to this longer trip could unlock a little more.

Form: 432/314

Non-Runners

Rafferty's Return²¹

Weight: 11-1| Age: 8

T: R Menzies J: Ross Chapman

Forecasts

Sonigino (10/3), Vicki Vale (4/1), Bashers Reflection (4/1), Benson (15/2), Chance A Tune (9/1), Holmes St Georges (9/1), Largy Shark (12/1), Prince Zaltar (14/1), Rafferty's Return (16/1), Fingal's Hill (25/1), Voix Du Reve (40/1)

BASHERS REFLECTION resumed progress with his reappearance under his belt when running out an authoritative winner at Wetherby 3 weeks ago and a 7 lb rise shouldn't prevent another bold showing on that evidence. Last year's runner-up Benson and Sonigino, stepping back up in trip, head up the dangers, with the returning Holmes St Georges another worth a look.