17:35 Aintree

Friday 19 May 2017

All17:3518:0518:4019:1019:4520:2020:50

Racehorse Owners Association Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:35 | Winning time: 4m 56.2s

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Selected odds by:

Undisputed^h¹⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: Noel Williams| OR: 111| BF

15/2

Without a win in two starts over hurdles but has been placed both times, set to carry top-weight on return from 159-day layoff now on handicap debut. Others might be better placed but improved showing isn't ruled out.

Form: 922/23-

Popping Along^p,t³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 110| CD

9/1

Is now rated 1lb lower than when taking this contest 12 months ago, staying on gamely on the flat to prevail. Form since is poor but showed some park last month over 2m5f on good ground at Ludlow on return to action and could be primed to defend crown.

Form: 167485-

Vic's Last Stand²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr John Dawson⁽⁵⁾| T: G Boanas| OR: 110| D

16/1

Very tame effort at Perth over 2m4f on good ground recently, almost too poor to be true. Gets just 1lb relief for that and the champion jockey has jumped ship for now.

Form: 223526-

Princess Roania^p,t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 109| BF

7/1

Should be fit from recent spin on the Flat at Nottingham and ran well there, has finished second in five of six starts over hurdles (pulled up in one handicap start). Not one to rely on for now.

Form: 2/2222P-

Sue Be It^t³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Robert Williams⁽³⁾| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 109

20/1

Has run well in couple of novice events at Leicester and Newcastle at up 2m2f, this calls for a bit more on handicap bow but cannot be ruled out.

Form: 584732-

Lets Go Dutchess⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Conor Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: K Bishop| OR: 107

9/4

Winner of 2m5f handicap hurdle at Newcastle on penultimate start and since finished runner-up back there off this mark. Must be a leading player now upped in trip again.

Form: 22121-2

Strangsmill³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 107

16/1

Yet to score in four starts over hurdles but recent efforts at Ludlow and Chepstow have been encouraging, steps up in trip again now switched to handicaps and she could go well in this field.

Form: F1P423-

Black Tulip¹¹^{(ex 7)}

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: R Johnson| T: H D Daly| OR: 100

9/2

Off the mark over hurdles at Stratford earlier in the month over 2m6f on good ground. Was going away readily at the line then and 7lb increase may not ground his ambitions. Choice of the champion jockey.

Form: 944-1

Theatre Act^p⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: C Grant| OR: 105| D

10/1

Bit disappointing in previous two runs at Carlisle, latest last month over 2m3f and this if anything looks a tougher contest. May have place claims.

Form: 155135-

Catchthemoonlight²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Blair Campbell⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 101

20/1

Winner of a weak Carlisle race on penultimate outing (2m1f, good-to-soft), wasn't by any means out of things off this mark in follow-up attempt at Perth (2m, good) since when unseating rider.

Form: U2431U-

Forecasts

Lets Go Dutchess (9/4), Black Tulip (9/2), Princess Roania (7/1), Undisputed (15/2), Popping Along (9/1), Theatre Act (10/1), Strangsmill (16/1), Vic's Last Stand (16/1), Catchthemoonlight (20/1), Sue Be It (20/1)

BLACK TULIP gets the nod from the champion jockey after a winning start in handicaps last time at Stratford. He was going well at the finish in that contest and a 7lb rise looks fair now. He may be given most to worry about by Lets Go Duchess, who was competitive off this mark last time at Newcastle having won there previously and looks sure to go well now over this longer trip. Last year's winner Popping Along has not threatened since while handicap debutants Strangsmill and Undisputed are worth monitoring in the betting.