Racecards
13:50 Aintree
Betfair.Com Jockeys' Challenge Handicap Hurdle (Class B)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 3m 110y
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Form 2322-4U
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey C Llewellyn
led, mistake 4th and 7th, headed approaching next, quickly lost place, tailed off when pulled up 3 out
- Form 2112F2
- Age 7
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey D Elsworth
chased leaders, went 2nd after 7th, led approaching next, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra flat
- Form 35144-3
- Age 5
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey M Foley
held up, outpaced approaching 3 out, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd after last, kept on no chance with winner
Albany (IRE)
218- Form 131P-
- Age 4
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey G Lee
held up, went 2nd at 6th, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened next
- Form FU-6133
- Age 8
- Weight 10-0
held up, smooth headway approaching 3 out, led on bit next, ridden approaching last, ran on
- Form 2-46F14
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey P Buchanan
chased leader, ridden and outpaced 3 out, no impression after
In depth
Verdict
An obvious chance for Grey Report to regain the winning thread although Hautclan and Smiths Landing will be strong opposition. The first two runs for Grey Report could not have gone more disastrously. Blowing up on the reappearance and unseating the rider at the first last week seem feasible enough reasons in themselves to recount the old adage of third time lucky. He has though won on soft going and with the likelihood that he'll get an uncontested lead, he could prove incredibly difficult to catch round here. Hautclan had decent form in France prior to joining Jonjo O'Neill. He is an interesting runner in this race although the form of the stable of late has been very in-and-out to say the least. Smiths Landing jumps well and his form with Vodka Bleu does read particularly well. A winner on soft ground at Hexham, he could be the one to pick up the pieces if any of the protagonists fail. Albany is in here off a light racing weight. His better form has unquestionably been with faster ground and we will oppose here. Lazy But Lively and Caesar's Palace are fair enough performers in their own grade but this looks a little hot. Grey Report is given our selection in the third.