15:30 Aintree

Sunday 26 October 2025

All12:4013:1513:5014:2014:5515:3016:05

William Hill Each Way Extra Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 4m 58.95s

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Selected odds by:

Serious Challenge¹⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 128

3/1

Smart on the Flat in Ireland and progressive over hurdles for Fergal O'Brien, rattling off a hat-trick of maiden/novice victories at Southwell (15.8f) in April. Far from disgraced when fourth on handicap debut at Sandown (2m) later that month and surprising were there not more to come this term.

Form: 51114-

Bold Light¹⁸⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Alan Doyle⁽³⁾| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 127| D

10/1

Enjoyed a good 2024/25 campaign, looking well suited by the drop back to 2½m when adding to his tally in 10-runner handicap at Kelso in March. 4 lb rise enough to prevent the follow up when fifth of 7 in handicap at Perth final start but not ruled out on reappearance given his low-mileage profile.

Form: 131315-

Ace Of Spades¹⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 127| BF

7/4

Went the right way in his first season as a hurdler, showing a willing attitude when winning 2m Cheltenham maiden and 2m6f Kelso novice either side of Christmas. Further progress switched to handicaps, good second over 3m at Ayr in April. Highly likely there's more to come this term. Down in trip.

Form: 421142-

Moonbow^t³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: B S Hughes| T: P Neville| OR: 126| D

4/1

Ungainly but currently too progressive for the handicapper to get to grips with him, again carrying his head awkwardly but still well on top when bagging 12-runner handicap at Perth (20.1f) 32 days ago. Hit with a 10 lb rise though, and this patently his toughest assignment to date.

Form: 9-31311

Serious Operator^t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: P W Wadge| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 124| D

9/2

Won twice in 2023/24 campaign but made it to the track only twice last season. Off for a further 5 months and shaped as if better for the run when fourth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Kelso (20.9f, good) 39 days ago. Entitled to step up on that having eased a little more in the weights.

Form: 510/06-4

The Gray Ghost^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Liam Harrison| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 120| D

18/1

Bumper winner got off the mark over hurdles in a 2½m Newcastle novice back in January. Lightly raced subsequently but shaping up as though as good as ever after 6 months off before saddle slipped when sixth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Kelso (20.9f) 21 days ago. Has more wins in him from this mark.

Form: 40127-6

Non-Runners

Cracking Rhapsody¹⁹⁷

Weight: 12-0| Age: 6

T: Ewan Whillans J: Craig Nichol

Forecasts

Ace Of Spades (7/4), Serious Challenge (3/1), Moonbow (4/1), Serious Operator (9/2), Cracking Rhapsody (7/1), Bold Light (10/1), The Gray Ghost (18/1)

A 3-time winner in maiden/novice company last season, SERIOUS CHALLENGE ran another solid race when fourth on his respective handicap debut at Sandown on his final start in April. There's surely more to come from Fergal O'Brien's 5-y-o this term and he earns the vote. Ace of Spades was progressive himself last season and he's feared, as is Cracking Rhapsody who enjoyed a smashing 2024/25.

Previous Winners

2024

Kamsinas

Weight: 11-10 |Age: 7

J: J J Burke | T: F O'Brien

8/1

Prize Money

1st: £18,210.002nd: £8,372.003rd: £4,186.004th: £2,093.005th: £1,046.006th: £522.00

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