Racecards
15:20 Aintree
Scottish And Newcastle Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Good (National Course: Good, Good to Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- Form 112154
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 149
- Trainer Paul Nolan
- Jockey J Cullen
chased leaders, outpaced and slightly hampered 3 out, no real danger after
- Form 1-96337
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 157
- Trainer John Queally
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up, headway after 3 out, challenged last, led final 100 yards, ran on
- Form 1-15711
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 151
held up in mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression
- Form 122223
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer C A Murphy
- Jockey B M Cash
tracked leader until 4th, not fluent 6th, went 2nd again after 8th, close 2nd when fell 3 out
- Form 11-F287
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey Paul Carberry
tracked leaders and pulled hard, went 2nd 4th, mistake 7th, lost 2nd after 8th, every chance last, kept on
- Form 4-22111
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 163
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey G Lee
led at very slow pace, quickened approaching 3rd, driven along and quickened again approaching 6th, headed final 100 yards, ran on
- Form 2345-46
- Age 8
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 160
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A Dobbin
held up, headway approaching 6th, blundered 8th, soon lost place and no danger
- Form 113115
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 131
- Trainer Mrs J Harrington
- Jockey B J Geraghty
held up in touch, niggled along after 2 out, no impression approaching last
- Form 244228
- Age 11
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 163
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
held up, effort on inside approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
In depth
Verdict
Inglis Drever is sure to be a popular choice and gets the nod over Brave Inca and Acordian Etoile, who can pose the most problems from a quality field. Rooster Booster, who has gone close in this race in the past, is also respected but he has become hard to win with of late and has to drag something out of his reserves to break his seasonal duck today. Macs Joy is a speedy sort that has enjoyed a good campaign. However, he has not really shown that he is ready for this step up in distance and others make more appeal. Acordian Etoile, on the other hand, could well improve for the trip and merits a second look if he is supported. Brave Inca has to be a serious threat as he has already proved adaptable regarding his preferred length of race. He will act on the ground and can exploit any weaknesses in the opposing. However, Inglis Drever seems to be going from strength to strength at present and is just too hard to resist after his historic win in the Ladbrokes Hurled last month.
Formwatch
Accordion Etoile (IRE) 14-1 Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden after 2 out, every chance last, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Hardy Eustace at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Al Eile (IRE) 25-1 Held up in touch, effort after 3 out, slightly outpaced, switched left approaching last, stayed on flat, 7th of 14, 8l behind Hardy Eustace at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Blue Canyon (FR) 3-1 Held up in touch and going well, shaken up to lead approaching last, ran on well, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Feb beating Copeland by 4l, 8 ran.
Brave Inca (IRE) 10-1 Tracked winner until 2nd, remained prominent, ridden and every chance flat, kept on, 3rd of 14, 1/2l behind Hardy Eustace at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Exotic Dancer (FR) 150-1 Took keen hold, held up, hit 6th, headway approaching 9th, ridden and weakened approaching last, 7th of 12, 15l behind Inglis Drever at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Inglis Drever 5-1 Held up and behind, reminder after 6th, ridden 3 out, good headway after 2 out, led just before last, ran on strongly flat, won at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar beating Baracouda by 3l, 12 ran.
Intersky Falcon 40-1 Held up, headway approaching 2 out, ridden and switched right approaching last, stayed on, never able to challenge, 6th of 14, 6l behind Hardy Eustace at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Macs Joy (IRE) 7-1 In touch, close up 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 5th of 14, 5l behind Hardy Eustace at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Rooster Booster 16-1 Held up and behind, headway 2 out, ridden when hit last, never near leaders, 8th of 14, 11l behind Hardy Eustace at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.