18:20 Aintree

Saturday 9 April 2022

All13:4514:2515:0015:3516:1517:1518:20

Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open NH Flat Race (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 18:20 | Winning time: 4m 4.13s

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Selected odds by:

Astronomic View⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Lucy Gardner| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 116| D

125/1

Confirmed debut promise when opening his account at Exeter on New Year's Day and far from discredited when third there subsequently. Seemingly out of his depth in this company, though.

Form: 313

Basford⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: D J O'Keeffe| T: J Candlish| OR: 115| D

100/1

Out of a bumper winner and followed suit with a cosy success on debut at Carlisle in October. Creditable third at Wincanton next time, but found out in listed company at Newbury on latest outing.

Form: 137

Chianti Classico¹²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 121| D

16/1

Winning pointer who opened his account in this sphere at the second attempt at Market Rasen 4 months ago. Stable likely to have him tuned up, but he has something to find.

Form: 1-21

Cruz Control⁸⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: T Lacey| OR: 114| D

50/1

Promising first effort at Chepstow and didn't need to improve to one better at Exeter in gritty fashion almost 3 months ago. This demands more.

Form: 21

Donaire^t1⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Nick Scholfield| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 115

66/1

Confirmed the encouragement he'd shown on debut for Stuart Crawford when making a winning start for new connections at Hereford in February. Tongue tied now, but this demands a much more significant step up.

Form: 2-1

Ernest Gray²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 127

4/1

Overcame inexperience to make a successful debut at Punchestown for Colin Bowe and, a year on, made a most impressive debut for new yard at Warwick last month, powering away to score by a wide margin. Strong claims.

Form: 1-1

Henri The Second¹¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 123

11/2

Defied greenness to make a winning start at Chepstow, then made all from Authorised Speed (boosted the form since) in a listed event at Ascot 113 days ago. Might have been saved for this, so bold showing expected.

Form: 11

Houlanbatordechais^h1²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins

8/1

Ready winner of a couple of French races in October. Picked up by top connections since and, while he's been thrown in at the deep end to some degree, he still warrants a market check.

Form: 110

Hullnback^t1⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 122

16/1

Hails from an excellent stable and made a ready winning debut at Chepstow. Came unstuck in listed company at Newbury next time, but that experience will have done him good. Tongue tied now.

Form: 15

Leave Of Absence⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Joshua Moore| T: C Gordon| OR: 119

8/1

Ex-pointer who looked above average when scoring impressively at Kempton on Rules debut and followed up with a minimum of fuss at Newbury last Saturday. This is seemingly an afterthought, but his yard is thriving and he can't be taken lightly.

Form: 311

Lookaway^h⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 113

28/1

Expensive point recruit who maintained an unbeaten record when landing his first Rules outing at Newbury in February. Should be able to build on that, so he's no forlorn hope.

Form: 11

Prairie Wolf⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Ryan Mania| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 118| D

50/1

Looked a useful prospect when making a winning start to his career at Kelso last May and doubled his tally (on third outing) at Doncaster in January. Needs more to feature in this, however.

Form: 131

Rath Gaul Boy³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 115

5/2

Landed his sole start in points and, having been sent off at odds on, had little trouble following up readily in a Leopardstown bumper last month. Makes plenty of appeal stepping up in grade.

Form: 11

Shomen Uchi⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: S Thomas| OR: 113

12/1

Backed up a positive start when off the mark easily at Hereford 52 days ago, and there's scope for better still, so not without a chance for a stable that has enjoyed a fine campaign.

Form: 21

Swapped⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 114

50/1

Lingfield winner in September and backed it up with a good second in a more competitive event there 76 days ago. This is likely to prove beyond him.

Form: 812

Western Zephyr⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 117

33/1

Easily won sole start in points, then made all in workmanlike fashion on Rules debut at Huntingdon 71 days ago. That form has a strong look to it, so could go well under another positive ride.

Form: 11

Blow Your Wad³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 114

22/1

Runner-up both starts to date, albeit not looking the most straightforward at Wincanton on latest outing a month ago. Set for a struggle in this grade.

Form: 22

Imperial Bede¹⁶¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill

40/1

Won maiden at Fontainebleau before finishing second in a Grade 3 event at Nantes 5 months ago. Something of an unknown quantity on British/stable debut, but clearly talented, so can't be ignored.

Form: 312

Non-Runners

Crambo³⁴

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: F O'Brien J: C Brace

Rockinastorm⁶⁴

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: H D Daly J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Rath Gaul Boy (5/2), Ernest Gray (4/1), Henri The Second (11/2), Leave Of Absence (8/1), Houlanbatordechais (8/1), Shomen Uchi (12/1), Crambo (14/1), Hullnback (16/1), Chianti Classico (16/1), Blow Your Wad (22/1), Lookaway (28/1), Western Zephyr (33/1), Imperial Bede (40/1), Cruz Control (50/1), Prairie Wolf (50/1), Swapped (50/1), Rockinastorm (50/1), Donaire (66/1), Basford (100/1), Astronomic View (125/1)

Willie Mullins has been prolific in bumpers throughout the season and in RATH GAUL BOY he has another opportunity to land one of the top races in the division. The selection is unbeaten in two (a point and a bumper) and has loads more to come, so he's preferred to Ernest Gray, who made a striking impression on debut for Alan King at Warwick last time. Henri The Second is also considered.