Racecards
12:25 Aintree
European Breeders Fund 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Qualifier) (Class D)
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
Argento
24- Form 323112
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey R Garritty
tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, headed and hit last, one-paced
- Form 23/50-3
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey W Marston
led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 20-6
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance approaching last, no extra flat
- Form 15-F
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J A Glover
- Jockey A Thornton
chased leaders, in 4th and one-paced when blundered badly last
- Form 25-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer N G Richards
- Jockey B P Harding
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, hit next, soon weakened
- Form 430-350
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer M D Hammond
- Jockey T J Phelan
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 65-54
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
held up, headway after 4 out, ridden and slightly hampered 2 out, led last, driven out
Real Shady
36- Form 1/400-P
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey R McGrath
prominent and radced keen, weakened when mistake 3 out, pulled up before next
Smudge (IRE)
265- Form 0-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
mid-division and raced keen, behind approaching 3 out, pulled up before next
- Form 035-00
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer M Sheppard
- Jockey N D Fehily
in touch, ridden and weakened when hit 3 out
- Form 0-46304
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer Mrs G Rees
- Jockey T Doyle
mid-division, driven along approaching 5th, behind from approaching 3 out
In depth
Verdict
An interesting contest with a number of unexposed types in opposition including Intersky Native. The Nicky Richards-trained gelding has been absent since running below expectations in a bumper at Perth in April but had previously shown a fair level of form when runner-up at Bangor last December and looks sure to go well on his hurdling bow. Encore Cadoudal will be sharper for his recent return and is respected but Fair Prospect and Real Shady both disappointed on their reappearance and now have something to prove so the TEAMtalk pick is Argento. The son of Weldnaas has taken well to timber with back to back wins at Hexham and Sedgefield last month and was far from disgraced when narrowly denied a hat-trick at the latter course on his most recent outing. The five-year-old has proven experience and sets a useful standard so should be hard to beat despite a double penalty.