14:30 Aintree

Saturday 5 April 2025

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

William Hill Handicap Chase (Registered As The Freebooter Handicap Chase) (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 6m 17.60s

Sam Brown^b,t³⁵

Age: 13| Weight: 12-0| J: Chad Bament⁽⁷⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 156| CD

16/1

Admirable veteran who won this in 2022 and placed again last year. Still capable of smart form this term and resumed winning ways in veterans event under this rider at Newbury 5 weeks ago. Does look too high in the weights now, though.

Form: 6-30241

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Imperial Saint⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 144| C

11/4

Taken very well to fences this season (sound jumper), winning 3 handicaps, all at this track over shorter. Came unstuck stepping outside handicap company for the first time over fences at Kempton latest but this more his bag if seeing out longer trip.

Form: 117134

Shakem Up'arry^p,t²³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 143

22/1

Won 2 premier handicaps at Cheltenham last season, notably the Plate at the Festival, but efforts this term suggests he's on the downgrade at the age of 11.

Form: 110-F50

Le Milos^p³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 142

13/2

First win since 2022 Coral Gold Cup when taking advantage of reduced mark in Warwick veterans event in February. Struggled back in open company at Newbury since, however, and others more convincing.

Form: 7-54316

Richmond Lake²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 140| C

12/1

Yet to score this term but deserves plenty of credit for his consistency this season. However, found run of good form coming to an abrupt halt in Ultima last month, his jumping largely to blame.

Form: 0-4232P

Happygolucky²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: J J Burke| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 139| CD

4/1

Took very well to fences in 2020/21, second in the Ultima prior to winning this (off 10 lb higher). Very lightly raced since but went the right way from his belated comeback/first start for current yard when fourth in the Ultima last month and entitled to do better again.

Form: 1309/54

Cruz Control^t¹⁰⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 139| CD

10/1

Won 3 times over fences last season, including a career best when making all in this race off 3 lb lower. Below par both starts this term but no surprise if he bounced back.

Form: 511-47P

Weveallbeencaught^t,v²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 135

17/2

Following a relatively short stint for Christian Williams, he belatedly opened his chase account on first run since rejoining Nigel Twiston-Davies at Doncaster in January. Decent efforts in defeat next 2 starts, though may want a stiffer test than this given how he shaped in the Kim Muir.

Form: 2P5154

Docpickedme^p,t⁷⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 133

15/2

Not the most consistent but ran best race for a while when close second at Doncaster and built on that when going one better in Great Yorkshire under this rider there. That form is very solid so he's capable of running another big race.

Form: P-66321

Frero Banbou²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 132

33/1

Took advantage of reduced mark in Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle, jumping well over the longest trip he's faced. Beaten only by an unexposed one at Kempton next time but well held both starts since.

Form: P-6126P

Erne River^b³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: N Kent| OR: 129

25/1

Has generally struggled this season, though his latest fourth in the Grimthorpe at Doncaster was respectable. Pulled up in this last year and likely to find this too competitive once again.

Form: PPU444

Charlie Uberalles⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 126

14/1

Held off subsequent Great Yorkshire winner Docpickedme by a neck at Doncaster in December. Made a better fist of things than being pulled up might suggest at Kempton since but likely to find a few too strong here from out of the handicap.

Form: 75421P

Non-Runners

Myretown²⁵

Weight: 11-0| Age: 8

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: Non Runner

Peaky Boy⁴⁹

Weight: 10-11| Age: 7

T: J & A O'Neill J: Nick Scholfield

Doctor Ken¹³¹

Weight: 10-7| Age: 9

T: O Murphy J: Non Runner

Heltenham⁴²

Weight: 10-6| Age: 8

T: D Skelton J: C Gethings

Forecasts

Imperial Saint (11/4), Myretown (3/1), Happygolucky (4/1), Peaky Boy (6/1), Le Milos (13/2), Doctor Ken (7/1), Docpickedme (15/2), Weveallbeencaught (17/2), Cruz Control (10/1), Richmond Lake (12/1), Charlie Uberalles (14/1), Sam Brown (16/1), Heltenham (20/1), Shakem Up'arry (22/1), Erne River (25/1), Frero Banbou (33/1)

DOCPICKEDME has been in fine form at Doncaster, winning a solid renewal of the Great Yorkshire Chase in January under Charlie Maggs, and he seems sure to go well again while he's in this mood. Imperial Saint is 3-3 here and will be bang there if seeing out the new trip. Happygolucky and Doctor Ken are also in the mix.