Racecards
13:05 Aintree
Ctp Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Class E)
- 14 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
Famous Grouse
223- Form 020-
- Age 4
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey S Durack
mid-division, headway after 4 out, ridden to lead approaching last, driven out
Sikasso (USA)
587- Form 330233/
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer Mrs K Walton
- Jockey F Keniry
mid-division, hit 5th, ridden and weakened from 3 out
It's Harry
14- Form 33300-4
- Age 6
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey G Carenza
led, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened flat
- Form 04-313
- Age 5
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey G Lee
in touch, ridden to lead 2 out, headed approaching last, not fluent, kept on same pace
Pollensa Bay
23- Form 4P6PP-2
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer S A Brookshaw
- Jockey M Foley
held up, headway after 4 out, weakened 2 out
Count Fosco
190- Form 505-0P
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer M Todhunter
- Jockey A Dobbin
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, weakened flat
Blue Morning
22- Form 060P-P1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer Mrs J McGregor
- Jockey P Buchanan
tracked leader, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 00-6P45
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer T H Caldwell
- Jockey D O'Meara
held up, effort approaching 3 out, no impression
- Form 354602
- Age 5
- Weight 10-10
always behind
- Form P0P-4P1
- Age 4
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey Mr T Greenall
tracked leaders until lost place approaching 3 out
- Form 044500
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
in touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out
- Form 4P-5332
- Age 7
- Weight 10-1
- Trainer M Todhunter
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, ridden and hit next, one pace
- Form F/6P0P-P
- Age 5
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Mrs E Slack
- Jockey D C Costello
mid-division, lost place after 4 out
In depth
Verdict
Wetherby winner Kinburn disappointed at Carlisle last time and Howard Johnson's gelding is probably best watched today so preference is for Pollensa Bay, who gets the vote over Kings Square. The last mentioned justified support when landing a similar contest at Newcastle recently but will find this tougher of his new mark. Top weight Famous Grouse has been holding his form well on the flat of late and has to be respected back over hurdles of what appears to be a fair mark. Peter Bowen's gelding has more solid claims than It's Harry. Sue Smith does well with her runners here but the son of Aragon may bounce. Sikasso has claims on his best but has been off the track for a long time and of more interest may be Swallow Magic, who hails from the in-form stable of Ferdy Murphy. The vote though goes to Pollensa Bay. Steve Brookshaw's gelding looked back in form on his reappearance at Uttoxeter last month for which he was solid in the market beforehand and, with more to come, the son of Overbury looks worth following.