16:40 Aintree

Thursday 11 April 2024

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

Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:43 | Winning time: 4m 8.65s

Dancing On My Own^t⁸⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 156| CD

11/1

Has a fine record in handicap chases in UK, winning this contest (off 12 lb lower) last year and posted a personal best when scoring at Cheltenham (15.9f) in October. Likely primed for this again but testing conditions wouldn't be ideal.

Form: 91-2106

Saint Roi^t²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150| D

9/2

Strike rate not the best over fences but has caught the eye on several occasions in defeat and wasn't seen to best effect when sixth of 16 to Unexpected Party in Grand Annual at Cheltenham last month. 2 lb lower now and not taken lightly.

Form: 4-43456

Unexpected Party^t²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 146| D

6/1

Emerged with credit against some of the top-flight British novices of 2022/23 and bounced back to best when landing Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham (15.9f, heavy) last month. 8 lb higher now but another bold bid looks likely.

Form: 155491

Path D'oroux^p,t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 144| D

15/2

Yet to score over fences but has been progressing with each start and ran a cracker (in first-time cheekpieces) when third of 16 to Unexpected Party at Cheltenham (15.9f, heavy) last month. Likely to be in the mix again.

Form: 68F223

Homme Public^p,t⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 142| D

12/1

Mutiple winner over hurdles who has found improvement since switched to the larger obstacles and posted a career best when taking 5-runner handicap chase at Doncaster (16.4f, soft) 40 days ago. This is more competitive but he can't be ruled out.

Form: 0-01121

Mackenberg³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 142| D

80/1

Five-time winner over fences who was poised to get back on the scoreboard before unseating rider late on at Hereford (16f, soft) last month. 4 lb higher now and finds himself in a much deeper conest.

Form: 3P-627U

Heltenham^t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: C Gethings| T: D Skelton| OR: 142

17/2

Improved markedly for the switch to chasing, taking another step forward when landing 6-runner handicap at Newbury (19.9f, good to soft) 19 days ago. Drop back in trip could suit this strong-travelling sort and he is one for the shortlist.

Form: 138211

Triple Trade²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 137| D

25/1

Really got his act together over fences since last spring, adding another win to his tally when seeing off 6 rivals at Ascot (18.8f) over Christmas. Not been in same form since, however, and others make more appeal.

Form: 213158

Whiskeywealth³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: John Shinnick⁽⁷⁾| T: T O'Brien| OR: 136| D

8/1

Proved better than ever when taking 11-runner handicap chase at Gowran (16f, heavy) last month. Has 11 lb higher mark to contend with here but is proven in testing conditions and could be a player.

Form: 44F811

Irish Blaze^h⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Carl Millar⁽⁷⁾| T: C Collins| OR: 135| D

18/1

Free-going sort who has found improvement since switched to new yard, scoring at Down Royal (16f) in January before good third in novice chase at Punchestown (16f, heavy) 53 days ago. Fairly treated, back handicapping, and warrants respect.

Form: 430213

Black Gerry^b¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 134| D

18/1

Won all 4 of his starts (at up to 19.8f) when completing last season and posted much his best effort this term when second of 7 in Plumpton handicap chase (19.8f, good to soft) 10 days ago. Feasibly treated if able to build on that.

Form: 1-P5PF2

Guy^p⁷³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: James Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 128| D

33/1

Back to winning ways in 8-runner handicap chase at Hereford (16f) in January but his wins have come in lower-grade contests and he would likely prefer better ground. 2 lb out of the weights.

Form: 155431

Sans Bruit^h,t¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 128

5/1

Smart winning hurdler/chaser in France who shaped well, on his first start over fences for Paul Nicholls, when second of 7 in handicap chase at Chepstow (16f, soft) 10 days ago. This is tougher but he may be capable of better in this sphere. 2 lb out of the weights.

Form: 1-78702

Bythesametoken^p,t⁹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: R T Dunne| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 128| D

50/1

Back to winning ways at Killarney (17f) in October and acquitted himself well in defeat since, latest when sixth of 12 in handicap chase at Naas (16f, good to soft) 90 days ago. Asked a bigger question now, though. 2 lb out of the weights.

Form: 631226

Mayhem Mya³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Bryan Carver| T: C Honour| OR: 124| BF| D

33/1

Fairly-useful hurdler who got off the mark in this sphere at Exeter (17.5f) in December and only narrowly failed to add to that success over same C&D last month. Looks to have plenty on from 6 lb out of the handicap here, however.

Form: 7-421P2

Forecasts

Saint Roi (9/2), Sans Bruit (5/1), Unexpected Party (6/1), Path D'oroux (15/2), Whiskeywealth (8/1), Heltenham (17/2), Dancing On My Own (11/1), Homme Public (12/1), Black Gerry (18/1), Irish Blaze (18/1), Triple Trade (25/1), Mayhem Mya (33/1), Guy (33/1), Bythesametoken (50/1), Mackenberg (80/1)

HELTENHAM proved better than ever when scoring at Newbury last month and could be well served by a strongly-run race at the minimum trip. He is narrowly preferred to stable-companion Unexpected Party who was a convincing winner of the Grand Annual and remains feasibly treated. Path d'Oroux and Saint Roi are next best in a typically competitive renewal of this contest.