19:30 Aintree
Friday 15 May 2026
All16:3517:1017:4518:2018:5519:3020:0520:40
Mental Health Awareness Week Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)
- 4YO plus  |  Class 4  |  2m 209y  |  11 Runners  |  Turf
Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Bumper winner in Ireland who made the most of a good opportunity returned to less testing conditions when landing 4-runner maiden hurdle at Fakenham (2m, good) last month. Remains open to improvement, the speed-favouring nature of handicaps sure to suit him well this spring.
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Back in the groove when scoring in decisive fashion over fences at Ffos Las last May. Solid second in this race next start but pulled up both chase starts this winter. Took a step back in the right direction returned to hurdles when fifth of 7 at Haydock last time and could step up on that.
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Much improved after 6 months off when readily opening his account in 8-runner handicap at Warwick in November. Creditable third of 6 at Market Rasen the following month and still looked in good form prior to departing at Newbury in January. Freshened up since.
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Won twice in a fairly productive summer jumping campaign last year, though turned in a lacklustre display after 5 months off at Hereford recently. No surprise to see his usual blinkers reapplied and although back down to his last winning mark, he's got plenty to prove.
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Raced mostly at Stratford and stepped up plenty on his comeback run when second of 13 there (19f, good to soft) last month, sticking to task but headed close home. Nudged up 2 lb for that near miss but could well feature if in the same mood.
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Looked favourably handicapped on pick of Flat form and shrugged off any thoughts of rustiness with a battling display to make a successful handicap hurdle debut in 16-runner event at Uttoxeter (2m, good) on return earlier this month. 5 lb rise doesn't look insurmountable so leading claims.
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On a long losing run but probably needed the run on first start for new connections after 4 months off when eighth of 9 at Southwell (11f) just over 6 weeks ago. Returns to hurdles for the first time since last year and others look stronger.
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Matched rather than improved on previous form sent handicapping over a trip more in line with his pedigree when third of 9 at Haydock (21f, good to soft) 10 weeks ago. Cheekpieces worn that day replaced by a visor here and returns to 2m.
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Failed to justify support in a refitted tongue strap from a falling mark when fourth of 13 at Newcastle (17f, good) just over 6 weeks ago. Not one to write off, though worth noting his best efforts came at Cartmel last season.
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Fair 1½m maiden winner on the Flat last summer for David Menuisier. Has struggled since, though showed plenty more than previously over hurdles when third of 7 in maiden at Southwell (2m, good to soft) just over 6 weeks ago. Capable of better again now handicapping.
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Has remained in good form since winning at Huntingdon (2½m) in November, though seemed stretched by the 4f longer trip when fourth of 8 at Ascot (3m, good) just under 7 weeks ago. Back down markedly in distance and is just 1 lb above his last winning mark.
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Forecasts
Jamada (3/1), Juan Bermudez (5/1), Lively Citizen (5/1), Spartan Times (11/2), Uhtred Ragnarson (15/2), Land Of Punt (12/1), Book of Secrets (12/1), A Good Yomp (12/1), Promethean (14/1), Theophilos (25/1), Grey Skies (33/1)
A few in with chances but SPARTAN TIMES upped his game to make a winning handicap debut in this sphere at Uttoxeter earlier in the month. With a conditional offsetting a subsequent 5 lb rise, Jennie Candlish's 5-y-o is fancied to follow up at the expense of Jamada, who should be well suited by the speed-favouring nature of handicaps at this time of year. Juan Bermudez rounds off the shortlist.
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £3,697.002nd: £1,701.003rd: £850.004th: £426.005th: £212.00
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