Racecards
20:45 Aintree
Valentines Standard Open Nh Flat Race (Class 4)
- 16 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £6,000 added
- Form 1-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
took keen hold, held up in touch, ridden to chase winner well over 1f out, stayed on
- Form 12-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer G A Charlton
- Jockey Jan Faltejsek
mid-division, headway after 3f, led after 6f, made rest, ridden over 1f out, ran on
- Form 1-
- Age 4
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey Paul Benson
took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway 4f out, ridden and switched right over 2f out, edged left from over 1f out, stayed on
Long Hop (IRE)
147- Form 4-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer A King
- Jockey Gerard Tumelty
held up rear, steady headway 6f out, ridden 3f out, soon edged left, beaten over 1f out
Nishnash
19- Form 9
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer A J Wilson
- Jockey Alex Merriam
always towards rear
- Form 923-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey G Lee
held up in rear, pushed along over 7f out, stayed on inside final 2f, nearest finish
- Form 8-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
chased leader 7f, remained handy, weakened 2f out
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up in touch chased winner after 7f weakened and wandered over 1f out
Mr Burton
49- Form 0-
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer M Mullineaux
- Jockey D Laverty
in rear, keen early, lost touch final 5f, tailed off
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Heather Dalton
- Jockey Stephen Craine
in touch, not much room over 5f out, soon ridden, weakened well over 1f out
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Miss H C Knight
- Jockey D F O'Regan
mid-division, headway after 6f, pushed along and weakened 2f out
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer C A Mulhall
- Jockey R McGrath
took keen hold in mid-division, behind final 6f, tailed off
- Form 8-
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer James Moffatt
- Jockey B S Hughes
led 6f, weakened over 5f out, tailed off
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J Jay
- Jockey T Scudamore
held up in rear, keen hold, ridden when hung left over 2f out, never in contention
- Form 4-
- Age 4
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer R F Fisher
- Jockey K Mercer
held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final 2f never nearer
In depth
Verdict
Alert The Media is our suggestion in the finale with Great Mates, Knockara Bay and Karabak other likely contenders. The selection is trained by Carl Llewellyn who has enjoyed plenty of success in this sphere. His stout pedigree suggests that he may need a stiffer test and more time to be seen to his best effect but he has gone to the trouble of booking McCoy who is three from thirteen for the yard. Great Mates runs in the famous Jim Lewis colours and it would be no surprise were this portentously named individual, who is by the way a half-brother to Racing Demon, were to prove a cut above average. The Hollinwell has ability but still has plenty to learn about the game and was quirky on his first two starts whereas the other leading form candidates, Karabak and Knockara Bay, have both looked professional. The former may need a stiffer test than this and the latter could be underrated due to his unfashionable connections but we're happy to take a chance with Alert The Media.
Formwatch
Karabak (FR) 9-4fav (11-1) Held up in touch, led over 1f out, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Apr beating Alderley Rover (10-8) by 3l, 12 ran.
Knockara Beau (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Mid-division, chased leaders over 4f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Conflictofinterest (11-2) at Ayr 2m nhf (3) gd in Apr.
Son Of Flicka 14-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, ran on well to lead final 75 yards, ridden out, won at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (5) sft in Mar beating Simply Blue (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 17 ran.
Long Hop (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway over 7f out, outpaced final 3f, 4th of 16, 17l behind Blencathra Bay (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Nishnash 100-1 (10-10) Held up, behind final 4f, 9th of 15, 44l behind Time For Rupert (10-12) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gd in Apr.
Seraphim Knight (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Always behind, 8th of 14, 46l behind Diamond Harry (11-7) at Newbury 2m nhf (2) sft in Mar.
The Hollinwell 4-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 19, 9l behind Kaskader (10-10) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Mar.
Thirtythreeblack (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) In rear, pushed along 9f out, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 31l behind Voice of Reason (11-9) at Warwick 2m nhf lst (1) hvy in Jan.
Great Mates (IRE) Bob's Return gelding, half-brother to high-class chaser Racing Demon.
Mr Burton 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, virtually pulled up final 2f, 15th of 17, well behind Son of Flicka (10-7) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (5) sft in Mar.
Our Ashley King's Theatre gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Sheeian Rock (IRE) Heron Island gelding out of unraced Kitty Martin.
Simhal Minster Son gelding out of an unraced mare.
Tek A Deek 22-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 4f out, 8th of 10, well behind Copper Sound (10-4) at Hexham 2m nhf (6) hvy in Apr.
Tom O'Tara Kayf Tara gelding out of an unraced mare.
Aint She The Lady (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Held up, pushed along over 5f out, stayed on inside final 2f, never near leaders, 4th of 16, 11l behind Mewstone (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs nhf (6) sft in Apr.
Alert The Media (IRE) Oscar gelding out of an unraced mare.