16:20 Aintree

Saturday 6 April 2019

All13:4514:2515:0015:4016:2017:1518:20

Betway Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 6m 20.08s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Kildisart²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 148

8/1

Smart novice who won twice around the turn of the year at Ascot/Cheltenham before running a very creditable fourth in the JLT. 7lb higher than his last handicap victory; never tried this trip before, will need a career best to take this.

Form: 19-2114

Mister Malarky²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 147

11/2

Very likeable type (yard been quiet of late) who has improved on his useful hurdles form over fences (best performance when taking a 3m Grade 2 at Ascot). Emerged with credit from the RSA; likely sort for long-distance handicaps in time.

Form: 0-13114

Willie Boy^p²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: R T Dunne| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 142

16/1

Took advantage of a decent mark in first-time cheekpieces when scoring on his third start for this yard at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Has found life a lot tougher in stronger events since (pulled up in Ultima last time); jumping can be an issue.

Form: F-2F14P

Debece³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 141| D

9/2

Useful hurdler who is starting to blossom over fences confirming the promise of his chasing debut when winning at Newcastle; followed up in easy fashion at Catterick. Twice run well over hurdles at this meeting; nicely weighted on his hurdles form.

Form: 3/4-F211

Springtown Lake²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 140

10/1

Bettered his useful hurdling form when making a winning debut at Sandown over fences. Has run with credit for the most part since then; found 2m4f a little sharp at Cheltenham last time; worth another try over 3m (especially left-handed).

Form: 10-1245

Reikers Island⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 139| D

22/1

One of two that the trainer runs; lightly-raced over hurdles, made a big step forward on his initial chasing run when winning impressively at Wincanton (3m1f). Failed to a certain extent to cope with a big rise in the weights; ran poorly last time.

Form: 15-3146

Some Buckle^t²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 138

33/1

Often at his best fresh he proved that point when winning at Newton Abbot (April 2018) having had a year off (when with Tom George). Found the test in the Plate at the Festival a bit too much on his first start for this yard; stiff task again.

Form: 7P13/1-9

Smooth Stepper²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A M Hales| OR: 138

50/1

Back down to his last successful mark but doesn't look the same force that he was with his previous yard (Sue Smith). Pulled up in the Midlands Grand National last time having been laboured in his two previous runs; faces a tough task.

Form: 610-75P

Oldgrangewood^t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 137

7/1

Hard to argue that the handicapper isn't giving him a chance; looked far from taking advantage this season. Finished fourth in this last year (trip looked just beyond him); should appreciate being back on a flat track; 9lb lower than last year.

Form: 1P4-969

Polydora²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: T Scudamore| T: T Lacey| OR: 137

8/1

Trainer won this last year; showed strong form when third over C&D on chasing debut (race worked out well). Built on that to score at Newcastle (hit hard by the handicapper); run well since, tuned up for this last time out (needed race); interesting.

Form: U-23134

Touch Kick^t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 133

15/2

Progressed well early in his chasing career over 2m4f (won twice); needed step up in trip to 3m to reignite his winning ways. Still in form last time although stiffer fences (Cheltenham) and 3m2f trip appeared to catch him out; little more needed.

Form: 3-12319

Red Giant^v¹³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: J J Burke| T: J Candlish| OR: 132| D

28/1

Made hay in the summer winning back-to-back handicaps (the first of a lenient mark) and remained in form after that coping well with an increased mark. Now returns from a break but would need the rain to stay away; best on a good surface.

Form: 125R22

Amaulino^p,t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: A Ring⁽³⁾| T: R K Watson| OR: 130

16/1

Managed to put together back-to-back wins last time improving for the increased trip 3m4f (also in this headgear combination the last twice). Looks versatile as regards to trip (won over 2m5f the time before); treated with respect in current form.

Form: 877411

On Tour⁷⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 130| C

12/1

C&D form figures read 212 (most recent second in this last year); failed to make much of an impact this season (jumping quite often not up to scratch). Pulled up last time but potentially on a good mark if a return to this track sparks his interest.

Form: 2-6563P

Theatre Territory^p⁷⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen⁽³⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 130| BF

16/1

Still yet to win over fences (0-10) despite being placed in some very competitive handicaps (highlighted by a third in the Topham last year). Cheekpieces replace the visor this time around; may be better over 2m4f, proving expensive to follow.

Form: 33-2423

Gold Opera^v¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Craig Nichol| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 128

50/1

Forays to this sort of level before have usually proved unsuccessful having to drop down to a 0-120 to score at Newcastle (end of last season). Has made a good start for new connections without winning; others mount a more persuasive case.

Form: 5P1-225

Federici^b⁷⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Henry Brooke| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 128

33/1

Has a good record over the bigger fences here (completed on three occasions) the latest when fifth in the Becher Chase (penultimate run). Well below form over more conventional fences last time; not sure to be suited by this test.

Form: 553P-57

Clondaw Westie^p,t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Mrs L Hill| OR: 127

28/1

Improved markedly over fences last year winning four times at a much lower level than he faces here. Showed the benefit of a couple of comeback runs when opening his account last time; should continue to run well at a lower level.

Form: 111-541

Forecasts

Debece (9/2), Mister Malarky (11/2), Oldgrangewood (7/1), Touch Kick (15/2), Kildisart (8/1), Polydora (8/1), Springtown Lake (10/1), On Tour (12/1), Willie Boy (16/1), Theatre Territory (16/1), Amaulino (16/1), Reikers Island (22/1), Clondaw Westie (28/1), Red Giant (28/1), Some Buckle (33/1), Federici (33/1), Gold Opera (50/1), Smooth Stepper (50/1)

A tough puzzle for punters to work out before the National with Philip Hobbs who has a good record in this race (won it three times in last 10 years) doubly represented by Springtown Lake and Reikers Island – both have a little to prove. Both Kildisart and Mister Malarky ran with credit at the Festival and have chances here with the latter’s stable having a welcome winner here yesterday. DEBECE has shown his form here over hurdles (trainer won this in 2012) and he looks capable of exceeding his timber exploits having tuned up for this with an easy win. Tom Lacey won this last year and his Polydora is of interest having already shown his form around the Mildmay course.