19:30 Aintree

Friday 16 May 2025

All17:1017:4518:2018:5519:3020:0520:40

HA Civils Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:31 | Winning time: 4m 51.52s

Ile De Jersey²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Freddie Gordon⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 117| D

7/2

Fairly useful hurdles/chase winner in 2022 and good third in the following year's renewal of this race off a 4 lb higher mark. Not at her best in 2 starts since returning from a lengthy absence in March but wouldn't be without a chance if on-song back here. Yard also saddles Touchy Feely.

Form: 4372/66-

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Sunday Soldier^p1,t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Nick Slatter⁽⁵⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 117| D

8/1

Most progressive sent handicapping during 2023/24 campaign, winning 5 in a row. Runner-up 3 times during the winter and latest fifth of 12 at Perth off a 2 lb higher mark was respectable. Now tried in cheekpieces and will be a threat granted a strong pace to aim at.

Form: 229265-

Hiconic^t²⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 113| D

22/1

Sprang something of a minor surprise (sent off at 16/1) when resuming winning ways in a 15-runner Uttoxeter handicap (2½m, good) last July. However, she wasn't in the same form at Fontwell next time and is entitled to need this run following 8 months off.

Form: 4/72314-

Wudya^p,t1²²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: T Collier| OR: 112

50/1

Clear-cut winner of 23f Killarney maiden for Gordon Elliott last July and ended time with that yard with a good second in a Clonmel handicap (2½m, good). Starts out for new connections on a reasonable enough mark and she's another who could have a say if they go a good clip. Tongue strap added.

Form: 235172-

Masked Dance⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 111| CD

11/4

Back on track when landing this race in decisive fashion 12 months ago and placed a few times since, including at Huntingdon (19.6f, good) last week. Only 2 lb higher compared to when taking this in 2024 and she's a must for the shortlist.

Form: 3930P-2

Midnight Ginger²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁵⁾| T: Andrew Martin| OR: 110

9/2

Winless over hurdles since late-2022 but she landed a 3-runner handicap chase off 7 lb higher early last year. Good second in this sphere at Ludlow on penultimate start and a reproduction of that effort would put her in the picture.

Form: 366428-

Police Academy²²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Ben Sutton⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 107| D

12/1

Made a fine start for Fergal O'Brien, winning 3 of her first 4 starts over hurdles in 2023. Runner-up on a couple of occasions last year (over fences on second occasion) and, though below par when last seen during the autumn, she will be a threat if on-song and fully tuned-up for this.

Form: 6/29256-

Touchy Feely¹¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 105

13/2

Dual hurdles winner earlier in her career and performed with credit when fourth of 14 in last year's renewal of this race. 10 lb lower this time round but with good reason having failed to make an impact in 4 subsequent starts (pulled up on 2 occasions). Ile de Jersey is presumably the stable No 1.

Form: P/4P5P6-

Versace Twentyone²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 104

15/2

Won Roscommon bumper for Gordon Elliott last summer and fair form over hurdles for present yard, registering first success on this side of the spond at Ludlow (21.2f, good) last month. 4 lb rise fair enough and while this is tougher, she should make her presence felt.

Form: 424521-

Forecasts

Masked Dance (11/4), Ile De Jersey (7/2), Midnight Ginger (9/2), Touchy Feely (13/2), Versace Twentyone (15/2), Sunday Soldier (8/1), Police Academy (12/1), Hiconic (22/1), Wudya (50/1)

This looks wide open and it may be worth siding with SUNDAY SOLDIER, who completed a five-timer last spring and while she hasn't managed to add to that winning spree in the intervening months, several creditable efforts in defeat have followed and she resumes from a break with her yard in good form. Last year's winner Masked Dance should give another good account, while Irish import Wudya is one to note in the betting and Police Academy will also have a chance if ready to roll.