Racecards
16:30 Aintree
Bonusprint Rht 40th Anniversary Novices' Hurdle (Class D)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Form R/11PP-1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Antony Evans
led, headed 3 out, soon ridden, kept on and no impression
- Form 00-F
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
held up in mid-division, weakened from 7th, tailed off when pulled up from 3 out
- Form 0000/
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
always behind, weakened from 8th
Classic Capers
189- Form 154-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J Jefferson
- Jockey F King
held up towards rear, ridden and headway 4 out, weakening when hit 2 out
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
held up, ridden and weakened after 4 out, pulled up before last
- Form 1124/0P-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey R Garritty
tracked leaders, weakened 4 out
- Form 3/1-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A P McCoy
tracked leader, hit 6, led 3 out, clear when hit 2 out, eased towards finish
Nagano (FR)
337- Form 3F206/6-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey Paul Moloney
tracked leaders, in 5th when quickly weakened and pulled up before 5th, dismounted
- Form 00P
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
always behind, weakened from 8th
- Form 035-320
- Age 4
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer J Wainwright
- Jockey G Lee
in touch, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
In depth
Verdict
Monte Vista and Scotch Corner are the two against the field here, with the vote going to the former, and Nagano and Dormy Two being others to consider. The Jonjo O'Neill-trained selection is lightly raced for a seven-year-old, so maybe he has had problems, but he looked progressive in 2003 when winning a Punchestown bumper and, if he can transfer that level of form to hurdling then must hold very good claims here. The betting will provide clues, of course, and Scotch Corner also should run well here. Much as the race that he won Huntingdon last time was not strong, he kept battling there and, with his stable in such good form, should give you a good run for your money. Of the others, Go Pete showed form in his native New Zealand but Loopy Linda hasn't progressed over hurdles after winning bumpers. However, Nagano could be interesting as he has been given time to acclimatize following his purchase from France. Dormy Two is another with solid place claims having shown promise over hurdles and, overall, in what does not look a strong race, the vote goes to Monte Vista.