Racecards
12:55 Aintree
Casino At Virgin Bet EBF Stallions 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Soft (Good to Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £8,000 added
- Winner: £5,198
- 2nd: £1,526
- 3rd: £763
- 4th: £382
- Form F1-1
- Age 4
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
made all, shaken up before 2 out, ridden and stayed on well flat
- Form 3-2
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer C E Longsdon
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
took keen hold, prominent, lost place 8th, well beaten before 2 out
Cubao (IRE)
28- Form 14
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Miss R Curtis
- Jockey Adam Wedge
prominent on outside, not fluent 3rd, outpaced after 3 out, weakened before last
- Form 5107-2
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Thomas Bellamy
prominent, lost place 2nd, not fluent next, went 3rd 2 out, no impression, one pace
- Form 2S1-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey Dave Crosse
prominent, ridden and rider dropped rein flat, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace
- Form 03-850
- Age 4
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Jamie Bargary
in rear, not fluent 6th, some headway 3 out, weakened next
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Nigel Twiston-Davies is responsible for three of the six runners in this, though it’s difficult to make a case for the filly Maria Francesca. MOSSY FEN did well to beat a subsequent winner at Worcester as he was a shade keen in the early stages. On that evidence, a drop back in distance won’t be a problem and he can defy a penalty. Jelski heads in the opposite direction having made a his hurdling debut over 2m1f at Carlisle and he’s preferred to another Carlisle runner-up Champagne Noir, who also runs in the Trevor Hemmings colours. Cubao has looked useful in bumpers while Keep Wondering’s points victory at Liscarroll is working out well.
Formwatch
Mossy Fen (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Raced keenly, tracked leader after 2nd until before 8th, challenged on inside going well 3 out, led last, came easily clear run-in, won at Worcester 2m 7f (4) gs in Oct beating Dolphin Square (11-12) by 5l, 6 ran.
Champagne Noir (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Disputed lead until led 4th, headed after 6th, led again after 3 out, headed before last, not pace of winner, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Overthetop (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) gs in Oct.
Cubao (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Chased leaders on inside, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Make Me A Believer (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Jelski (GER) 5-4fav (10-12) Prominent, slow 5th, effort when hung right 2 out, stayed on under pressure closing stages, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Methodtothemadness (10-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) sft in Oct.
Keep Wondering (IRE) 6-1 (12-2) Mid-div, 6th frm 7th, prog in 5th bef 2out, ld aftr 2out, went 8l clr bef last, easily, won at Liscarroll 3m mdn gs in Mar beating Barrowlands (12-2) by 8l, 13 ran.
Maria Francesca (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Mid-division, not fluent, took keen hold, well beaten 3 out, 11th of 14, dist behind Floressa (10-10) at Worcester 2m (4) gs in Oct.