12:40 Aintree

Sunday 27 October 2024

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:08

Barrie Wells Trust Box4Kids Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:41 | Winning time: 6m 8.26s

Lihyan^h²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Aaron Anderson| T: R Menzies| OR: 125

3/1

Enjoying a good campaign, following up from Worcester (23f) with another improved performance to take Uttoxeter contest under this rider 3 weeks ago, doing well to come from last to first in a falsely-run race. Got to be respected in hat-trick bid.

Form: 186511

Bridge North^v¹⁸⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Alice Stevens| T: H D Daly| OR: 124

16/1

Went off the rails over fences but went with much more zest after the fitting of a visor/return to hurdling before taking a late fall at Doncaster (3m) in February when looking set to win. Failed to complete once again at Perth when last seen and clearly risky on return.

Form: P4PF3U-

Invictus World^t⁷¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Dylan Johnston| T: Gerald Quinn| OR: 117

9/1

Downpatrick maiden hurdle winner last season and ran well after 9 months off, especially as he was checked when coming with a threatening effort, at Hexham in June. Fell at Perth 2 months later and following a similar absence has stamina to prove up in class now.

Form: 414F-3F

City Derby^p³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 117| D

8/1

Completed a Cartmel 4-timer in staying handicaps this summer and ran at least as well in defeat when third at Perth (Idem second) last month. Clearly needs to pull out a bit more from current mark.

Form: 211113

Chris Cool^p¹⁸⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Toby Wynne⁽³⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 114| D

4/1

Generally solid record over hurdles and got back on the up when seeing off an unexposed rival (pair clear) at Huntingdon (25f) in April. Good third at Ludlow final start and respected on return having won first time up last season.

Form: 123313-

Polish^p⁶²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Leah Noreci⁽¹⁰⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 114

40/1

Placed in a 3m Southwell hunter in March, but fell at Cheltenham next time and having left Fergal O'Brien went with no encouragement back handicapping at Cartmel 9 weeks ago. Hard to fancy back hurdling.

Form: 73P2-FP

Skyjack Hijack³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: William Shanahan| T: J Candlish| OR: 113| D

6/4

Progressing well for forcing tactics, following up his Cartmel win with a clear-cut success in 7-runner handicap hurdle at Perth (3m, soft) 4 weeks ago, drawing clear from 2 out. This is a step up in class after a 10 lb rise but he looks sure to go well again.

Form: 7-23211

Non-Runners

Idem¹

Weight: 12-0| Age: 6

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Skyjack Hijack (6/4), Lihyan (3/1), Chris Cool (4/1), Idem (9/2), City Derby (8/1), Invictus World (9/1), Bridge North (16/1), Polish (40/1)

SKYJACK HIJACK and Lihyan are chasing hat-tricks and look the pair to focus on, with Jennie Candlish's lightly-raced hurdler selected. He took a big step forward when making all at Perth last month, that performance suggesting there is even better to come. Lihyan has more miles on the clock but has built up a good strike rate since the spring and can go well again. The returning Chris Cool is another to consider.