Racecards
14:00 Aintree
Martell Cognac V.S. Thresher Handicap Chase (Class B)
- 14 Runners
- Distance: 3m 1f
- Going: Good
- Form 1U5PF5
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer M F Morris
- Jockey B J Geraghty
led approaching 2nd, blundered badly and headed 4 out, soon ridden, rallied and every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last
- Form 25-540P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
in touch, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden and effort next, no extra approaching last
- Form 1P1P-1P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer Mrs H Dalton
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
soon towards rear, pushed along approaching 12th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 15th
- Form F0-0F43
- Age 11
- Weight 11-10
midfield, mistake 12th, soon ridden, weakened 14th, tailed off when pulled up before last
Horus (IRE)
23- Form 111406
- Age 8
- Weight 11-9
held up in midfield, slightly hampered 3rd, reminders 11th, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
- Form 0-11321
- Age 7
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer D Caro
- Jockey T Scudamore
led, headed approaching 2nd, led again 4 out, blundered next, soon headed and weakened, behind when pulled up before last
- Form 21/F5F5
- Age 10
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer A Martin
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
held up in rear, pushed along 4 out, headway under pressure before next, ridden and effort 2 out, chance last, not quicken flat
- Form 13-4P42
- Age 8
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A Dobbin
held up in midfield, headway and in touch 9th, mistake 4 out, soon ridden and effort, challenged last, led flat, driven out
Tom's Prize
34- Form F22F11
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J Spearing
- Jockey J Culloty
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when mistake next
Windross
62- Form 3P60/1-P
- Age 11
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
in touch, fell 3rd
- Form 3U1UP4
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey G Lee
held up towards rear, mistake 11th, struggling 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
- Form 421-130
- Age 11
- Weight 10-12
held up in touch, headway 5 out, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, one paced
Berlin Blue
13- Form 11/54-03
- Age 10
- Weight 10-10
midfield, pushed along approaching 12th, weakened approaching 15th, tailed off when pulled up before last
- Form 1U2151
- Age 6
- Weight 10-8
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey C Llewellyn
towards rear, reminder 12th, pushed along 15th, headway under pressure 3 out, driven to lead approaching last, headed flat, kept on
In depth
Verdict
It remains to be seen whether Barton will turn out again after such a disappointing effort on the opening day of the meeting, and involvement with Tim Easterby's charge has become a risky proposition following his return from injury. However, he is undoubtedly well treated if he drops back into handicap-company here, and his connections will obviously be keen to recoup their losses. Whitenzo is another who has let his supporters down of late and his tendency to make mistakes at his fences is off-putting in the competitive heat. Therefore, the two to concentrate on are Hours and Ross Moff, who have both shown a good level of progression. The former will appreciate the return to a more suitable trip and will benefit from the assistance of the in-form Tony McCoy. However, Ross Moff is likely to find the course a little more to his liking after a good effort at Cheltenham last month. And he gets the vote as the value selection. The rest of the field all have a few questions to answer but Tom's Prize appeals as the best of the rest.