17:35 Aintree

Saturday 13 April 2024

All13:2013:5514:3015:0516:0017:0017:35

Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open NH Flat Race (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 17:35 | Winning time: 4m 11.68s

Castle Ivers²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy

8/1

Easy winner sole start in Irish points and quickened clear in good style to land a 3-runner contest at Southwell in January. Back to winning ways at Wetherby in taking style last time and could be on the premises.

Form: 1131

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Electric Mason¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon| BF

14/1

Bought for £110,000 after finishing second in an Irish point and has shaped encouragingly for new connections, landing 8-runner bumper at Kempton in February. Creditable second at Fontwell since and can't be completely dismissed.

Form: 2-312

Good And Clever³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex

14/1

From quite a good family and made a pleasing start when landing a 12-runner contest at Warwick in convincing fashion, forging clear. Capable of better and not without hope.

Form: 1

Got A Dream³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Nicky Martin

40/1

Getaway gelding who left debut form behind when landing an 8-runner bumper at Huntingdon last time. Could step forward again but will need to if he's to hold any sort of chance.

Form: 51

Horaces Pearl¹⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien

14/1

Half-brother to 2 winners on Flat and two from two in bumpers so far, landing a 17-runner event at Wincanton cosily last time. Up to competing in this grade.

Form: 1-1

I'm A Lumberjack⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King

22/1

Shaped well amidst inexperience on debut and has bettered that since, his latest third in listed company at Newbury an excellent effort. Others have more potential, however.

Form: 2-263

Leech⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Conor Ring| T: Evan Williams

100/1

From the family of smart hurdler (stayed 19f) Local Hero and build on promising debut when off the mark at Chepstow 49 days ago. Further progress required.

Form: 31

Malicash⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans

125/1

Malinas gelding who bettered previous efforts when runner-up at Kelso last time but is still likely to come up well short at this level.

Form: 362

Ma Shantou⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle

7/1

Excellent start when third of 10 at Fairyhouse in December and, having moved to current yard for £120,000, opened his account impressively at Huntingdon last time. Worth his place in this company.

Form: 31

Mister Meggit⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| D

15/8

Looked a very good prospect when easy winner on his Carlisle debut in November and created an equally taking impression at Doncaster last time, not coming off the bridle. Will take all the beating.

Form: 11

No Questions Asked⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| D

20/1

£50,000 buy after winning a 2-finisher point in April 2022. Only outing since when landing a 5-runner event at Market Rasen readily on Rules debut. Not dismissed for yard that landed the mares' bumper earlier in the week.

Form: 1/1

Step Out^t³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Slevin| T: S R B Crawford

66/1

Steadily progressive so far, tongue tied for the first time when second at Ayr last time, but he'll probably come up well short against this opposition.

Form: 40-42

Tom Doniphon⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White

40/1

Irish point runner-up from the family of Grand Sancy. All out to make a winning start at Fontwell, then found only one too good at Doncaster last time. Should put up another solid showing but others have more potential.

Form: 4-212

Tripoli Flyer⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 119

13/2

Brother to useful hurdler Anyharminasking and left debut form well behind when scoring comfortably from Kingston Pride in 13-runner bumper at Lingfield last time. Could do better still.

Form: 51

Valgrand¹⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

15/2

Runner-up sole start in Irish points. Showed plenty when second of 15 in bumper at Cheltenham (16.4f, soft) on Rules debut 5 months ago. Concern that he's not been seen since but has potential.

Form: 2-2

Wellington Arch⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill

100/1

Brother to bumper winner and followed suit at the first attempt in 10-runner event at Worcester in October. Creditable efforts since but needs more at this level.

Form: 134

Small Town Hero⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams

100/1

€7,000 3-y-o, £75,000 4-y-o, Jet Away gelding. Half-brother to fairly useful 2m/21f hurdle winner El Saviour and fair hurdler/chaser Brown Bear. Won sole start in Irish points (Feb 24). Tough assignment on Rules debut.

Form: 1

Sorceleur⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

14/1

Chased home the unbeaten Kel du Large on first two starts, then readily opened his account at Taunton last time. Should go well again for all that others might have that bit more class.

Form: 331

Non-Runners

Tailorman²⁸

Weight: 10-10| Age: 4

T: Ian Williams J: C J Todd

Forecasts

Mister Meggit (15/8), Tripoli Flyer (13/2), Ma Shantou (7/1), Valgrand (15/2), Castle Ivers (8/1), Horaces Pearl (14/1), Good And Clever (14/1), Sorceleur (14/1), Electric Mason (14/1), No Questions Asked (20/1), I'm A Lumberjack (22/1), Got A Dream (40/1), Tom Doniphon (40/1), Tailorman (50/1), Step Out (66/1), Wellington Arch (100/1), Small Town Hero (100/1), Leech (100/1), Malicash (125/1)

MISTER MEGGIT has looked highly talented on both runs to date and could have a lot more to come, so he's a straightforward choice to maintain his unbeaten record up in grade. Ma Shantou is a danger following an impressive start for his new stable and Castle Ivers is one of several others that shouldn't be ruled out.