18:20 Aintree

Friday 17 May 2024

All17:4518:2018:5519:3020:0520:40

Bella Diosa Handicap Chase

Off time: 18:20 | Winning time: 5m 2.28s

Homme Public^p,t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 141

11/2

Multiple 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). Found out in better company in Red Rum here since but this less competitive.

Form: 011217-

Raffle Ticket⁵⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: H Cobden| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 137| BF| D

11/2

Low mileage 10-y-o who has developed into a better chaser than hurdler, pulling clear with an unexposed sort to score at Doncaster (20.5f, soft) in January. Struggled in the mud at Exeter since and type to bounce back.

Form: 1F621P-

Soul Icon^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 134| D

13/8

Likeable and prolific handicap hurdler who has been knocking on the door over fences, runner-up at Kempton and Ayr last 2 starts. Big shout back down in class.

Form: 4U3422-

Flic Ou Voyou^p⁷⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Danny McMenamin| T: H Hogarth| OR: 125| D

66/1

Enhanced his fine record at Wincanton with another victory in handicap 15 months ago. However, well held all 4 starts since, leaving Paul Nicholls prior to penultimate start.

Form: 51P/60P-

The Big Bite^p³⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: J J Burke| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 125| C| D

25/1

Narrow winner of Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury 15 months ago but offered little last term so has plenty to prove.

Form: 1/PP95P-

Amrons Sage¹⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 124

4/1

Won sole outing in Irish points and progressive winner over hurdles last season. Positive start to chasing when second in handicap at Exeter on return in November but proved a major let-down at Newbury following month and off since. Remains unexposed.

Form: 2413/25-

Northern Bound^p²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 124| D

9/2

Shaped well after 6 months off without his usual headgear when second of 9 in handicap chase (15/2) at Chepstow (19.4f, good) 21 days ago, coming from much further back than the winner on a card that hardly favoured such tactics. Cheekpieces back on. Merits consideration.

Form: 554342-

Getaway Luv^p,t⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 120

25/1

Back to form after a wind-op when notching his third win of the season in a 3-runner handicap chase at Carlisle (15.9f, soft, 8/1) and not disgraced in better race there following week. Not taken lightly.

Form: 514615-

Non-Runners

Francky Du Berlais³⁵

Weight: 11-6| Age: 11

T: P & M Bowen J: S Bowen

Forecasts

Soul Icon (13/8), Amrons Sage (4/1), Northern Bound (9/2), Raffle Ticket (11/2), Homme Public (11/2), Francky Du Berlais (16/1), The Big Bite (25/1), Getaway Luv (25/1), Flic Ou Voyou (66/1)

SOUL ICON is a winner in waiting over fences now after a stuttering start and this looks a decent opportunity back down in class. Northern Bound was an eye-catching second back from a break at Chepstow 3 weeks ago and is feared most ahead of the unexposed Amrons Sage.