Racecards
16:55 Aintree
Martell Cognac Novices' Handicap Chase (Class B)
- 16 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Mildmay & Hurdles Course Good, Grand National Course Gd, G/F
- Form 6-113P0
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey B J Geraghty
held up towards rear, headway 5 out, driven approaching 3 out, kept on under pressure flat, not reach winner
- Form 122541
- Age 6
- Weight 11-11
held up towards rear, headway after 5 out, ridden and effort after 4 out, one pace from 2 out
- Form 01U411
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey P Flynn
tracked leaders until fell 2nd
- Form 315P33
- Age 8
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
towards rear, never dangerous
- Form 22-211P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
held up in rear, weakened quickly when pulled up before 7th, dismounted
- Form P-1F120
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J Best
- Jockey M Bradburne
blundered badly and unseated rider 1st
Indalo (IRE)
19- Form 243115
- Age 8
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey B J Crowley
towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, ridden and effort before next, one pace under pressure
- Form 610231
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey R Johnson
tracked leader, hit 6th, fell 8th
- Form 233321
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer P Beaumont
- Jockey R Garritty
held up in touch, headway to lead 8th, headed 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, 6th and beaten when blundered badly and unseated rider 2 out
- Form 213161
- Age 8
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
towards rear, some headway 10th, soon ridden and no impression
- Form 22212P
- Age 7
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer M Pitman
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
pushed along and weakened after 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 43-2P23
- Age 8
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer Miss H Knight
- Jockey J Culloty
led 2nd, headed 8th, led again 10th, ridden approaching last, stayed on strongly
Winchester
11- Form 1P/3123
- Age 8
- Weight 10-9
held up in touch, hampered and lost place 8th, headway after 5 out, mistake next, weakened 2 out
Lauderdale
33- Form 212533
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey P Robson
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 10th
- Form 115321
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey Jimmy McCarthy
led to 2nd, ridden 4 out, weakened before next
In depth
Verdict
Probably not as strong a race as in previous years, but competitive nonetheless. Avalanche has been in good form and is reunited with Mark Bradburne, who was aboard when successful at Kempton. He still appears to be on the upgrade, but he will need to be to defy his ever rising mark. Indalo will be far happier on this surface, having got bogged down in the mud at Uttoxeter, but Bold Investor looks to have something to prove now after a couple of lack-lustre efforts. Philip Hobbs relies on Fait Le Jojo, having also had Bow Strada entered at the five-days. A useful timber topper, he has yet to reach the same heights over fences, but he is learning all the time and is not one to dismiss lightly. Midland Flame has more ability than he cares to show, but on this sound surface he is capable of a bold show. However, the one to be with is Montreal, who impressed when beating solitary rival Sea Drifting at Haydock. He was probably as good as the majority of these over hurdles and while he has taken a while to find his feet over fences, he is clearly on the upgrade at will be at home under prevailing conditions.