18:55 Aintree

Friday 17 May 2024

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

Positive Futures Liverpool Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 18:55 | Winning time: 4m 58.14s

Red Risk^p²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Freddie Gingell⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 141| D

14/1

Won twice back hurdling in 2022 and good second in the West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby in November. Hasn't gone on from that effort, but a bit more encouragement when seventh of 17 at Sandown (19.8f) 20 days ago. Task is now to back up his latest run.

Form: 62840-7

Get A Tonic⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 136| D

25/1

Quickly reverted to hurdling, proved at least as good as ever when making all at Newbury (20.5f) in December. However, hasn't been in the same form both starts since, so she needs to get back on track.

Form: 65/4146-

Benson^p²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 136| D

33/1

Reverted to front-running tactics, gained his sixth win over hurdles at Musselburgh (19.8f) on New Year's Day, but he finished well held on his last 3 starts. Others more persuasive at present (tongue strap left off).

Form: 414000-

Geromino^t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 131| D

18/1

Returned to winning ways back over hurdles around the turn of the year, recording back-to-back victories at Doncaster under this rider. Run of good form has come to a halt on his last 2 starts, though.

Form: 2U1190-

King Alexander¹²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 130| D

8/1

After 3 months off, produced his best effort yet when cruising clear for success in an Exeter handicap (18.5f) in November. Found it tougher in the Lanzarote at Kempton (21f) next time, but he's not discounted given the promise of his previous run.

Form: 21/1F17-

Petit Tonnerre^p²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 130

3/1

Useful hurdler who didn't convince with his jumping tried chasing last season. Back over hurdles at the end of the campaign, needed a stiffer test when mid-field at Ayr (16f) in April, finishing with running left. One to note back up in trip.

Form: 244507-

Masaccio²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 129

15/2

Made a winning hurdles debut at Chepstow in October and better form in defeat at Newbury next 2 starts. Completed a simple task in a Kempton novice (21f) in February, before shaping as if amiss on his handicap bow last time. It still remains early days for him, though.

Form: 7/12510-

Alnilam³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 127

9/2

Fairly useful winner on the Flat who easily landed a Kelso novice hurdle in February. Resumed winning ways on first start since leaving Anthony Charlton when scoring at the same course (18.1f) in April and he could have more to offer now handicapping. Key contender.

Form: 4171-

Pyramid Place^h¹⁷⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Bradley Harris⁽³⁾| T: H Dickin| OR: 127| D

66/1

Took a step forward when landing the Silver Trophy at Chepstow (19.5f) in October. Ran well next time, before being left poorly placed in a competitive event at Haydock (24.3f) when last seen in November, his sole outing for Syd Hosie. Has something to find.

Form: 313150-

Meatloaf²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 124

9/2

Dual-bumper winner who overcame greenness to make a successful debut over hurdles in novice at Wincanton (15.2f) in November. After a couple of lesser efforts, back on track when making all at Taunton (19f) last time and he's respected as he goes handicapping.

Form: 51/1851-

Wonderwall²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: B S Hughes| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 122

25/1

Useful bumper/hurdle winner for Richard Spencer. Not disgraced when fourth of 7 in novice handicap at Cheltenham on his chase debut in November, but his form has gone the wrong way back over hurdles for his current yard on his last 3 starts.

Form: 30/4BP0-

Magical Maggie³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 121

9/1

Got back on the up when winning for the fourth time over hurdles in mares handicap at Ludlow (15.8f) in December. Has continued in decent heart since, fifth of 18 at Cheltenham (16.8f) a month ago. Can give her running once more.

Form: 131435-

Forecasts

Petit Tonnerre (3/1), Alnilam (9/2), Meatloaf (9/2), Masaccio (15/2), King Alexander (8/1), Magical Maggie (9/1), Red Risk (14/1), Geromino (18/1), Wonderwall (25/1), Get A Tonic (25/1), Benson (33/1), Pyramid Place (66/1)

ALNILAM made it 2 wins from 4 starts over hurdles when successful at Kelso on his stable debut, in control when making a bad mistake at the last, and he remains capable of better as he makes the switch to handicaps. The 5-y-o is preferred to fellow handicap-debutant Meatloaf, while Petit Tonnerre is interesting with the return to this longer trip likely to suit.