16:40 Aintree

Thursday 13 April 2023

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:41 | Winning time: 3m 55.28s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Third Time Lucki^t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 148| D

10/3

Successful 3 times over fences last season and bounced back to best to score at Sandown (15.5f) in February. Again shaped well (fared best of those from off the pace) when fourth in last month's Grand Annual at Cheltenham and he's one to be interested in from 1 lb lower mark.

Form: 3-46314

Dancing On My Own^t⁸⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 144

15/2

Low-mileage 9-y-o who ran a cracker when runner-up behind The Last Day in this race 12 months ago, well served by an attacking front-running ride. Struggled to make an impact both starts in Ireland this winter but comes here fresh from 3 month break and better showing not ruled out.

Form: 3F02-09

Dads Lad^t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 143| D

14/1

Improved model over fences during second half of last year, gaining third success at Cheltenham (15.9f) in October. Unable to get competitive in Greatwood Hurdle in November though and let down by his jumping on return from a break in last month's Grand Annual.

Form: 115190

Pay The Piper⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 143| BF| D

6/1

Steadily found his form this season, readily regaining winning thread at Musselburgh (15.8f) in February and only just edged out in follow-up bid at Doncaster (16.4f) 6 weeks ago. Evidently at the top of his game and fancied to be thereabouts again.

Form: 834312

Grey Diamond^t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas| OR: 142| D

6/1

Looked set to play a big part when falling 2 out at Sandown in January and duly confirmed promise of that run when running out a ready winner at Haydock (16.3f) 3 weeks ago, clear before 2 out and eased final 100 yds. Commands plenty of respect again despite 7 lb higher mark to defy.

Form: 347-3F1

Before Midnight²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: S Thomas| OR: 140| D

16/1

Multiple chase winner for this yard who returned in good order during the winter, running with credit when fourth at Doncaster (16.3f) in January, despite an uncharacteristic late mistake. Pulled up in Grand Annual since but he's now 4 lb below last winning mark. Cheekpieces/tongue tie discarded.

Form: 26-334P

Mackenberg⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 140| D

16/1

Won his first 5 chase starts, the latest over 19f at Doncaster in November and he comes here on the back of finishing a creditable third back at that venue (16.4f) in March, albeit making late gains off a strong gallop. This understandably tougher.

Form: P-11533

Vado Forte⁴⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: R T Dunne| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 140| D

80/1

Returned to form from out of the blue to land 10-runner Galway handicap chase (18.2f) for Gordon Elliott last summer. Exploits mixed for present stable but in process of running well (likely to have finished third) when unseating last at Thurles (16.7f) in February. More needed here, though.

Form: 13588U

The Last Day²⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 135| CD

16/1

Sparingly campaigned for a horse of his age and well prepared to land this race in convincing fashion from 2 lb lower mark 12 months ago. Not in same form either outing this term, pulled in Grand Annual last month. Hopes pinned on return to this venue having positive effect (2-2 over C&D).

Form: 56/F1-5P

Hasankey^v¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Lewis Dobb⁽⁷⁾| T: L Morgan| OR: 135| D

14/1

Made excellent strides over fences last season, winning 3 on the bounce prior to finishing sixth in Grand Annual at the Festival. Comes here in good order, runner-up at Warwick (16.2f) 2 weeks ago but his mark does look about right.

Form: 6-26732

Defan¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 134| D

40/1

Resumed progress on back of a break when successful at Ballinrobe (17f) last May. Below that level both starts since though, unable to land a blow (following 8 months off) when sixth in 7-runner Limerick handicap (19.5f) 18 days ago. Others make greater appeal.

Form: 19F-166

Douglas Talking^t³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 134| D

9/2

Front runner who resumed progress to run out an emphatic winner at Ayr after 4 months off (had undergone a breathing operation) and backed that up with easy success at Sandown last month (jumping superbly). Hit with another 10 lb rise but unlikely he's finished improving yet.

Form: F1-5711

Hatcher¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| D

14/1

Failed to complete first 3 starts this winter but stopped the slide following wind op/3 months off when third in 9-runner Ascot handicap (16.7f) 11 days ago. Has tumbled in the weights but his task is to build on that now.

Form: UF-PPF3

Non-Runners

Global Citizen²⁹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 11

T: B Pauling J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Third Time Lucki (10/3), Douglas Talking (9/2), Pay The Piper (6/1), Grey Diamond (6/1), Global Citizen (13/2), Dancing On My Own (15/2), Hasankey (14/1), Dads Lad (14/1), Hatcher (14/1), The Last Day (16/1), Before Midnight (16/1), Mackenberg (16/1), Defan (40/1), Vado Forte (80/1)

THIRD TIME LUCKI has bounced back to form in recent starts, successful at Sandown prior to faring best of those held up when fourth in last month's Grand Annual at Cheltenham. He's operating from a 1 lb lower mark here, and a strong pace to aim at will play to his strengths so he could well be the answer. Progressive 7-y-o Douglas Talking and facile Haydock-scorer Grey Diamond head up the dangers, whilst last year's winner The Last Day is another to keep an eye on.