Post by Old Timer on Apr 3, 2009 12:47:33 GMT
Aintree 3.45 Cl2 Hcap Chase 682/159 (137.0) 21.5f gd – 30 Run (29 at best)
Gwanako 6-11-7 OR 154 (120.5) (13.0)
Win % 27% gd 4/0/5 21/22f 2/2/7 Aint 1/0/2 LH 2/1/7 Gall 1/0/3 16+ Run 1/1/2
Tr 14d 5/20 Tr C 7/106 J 14d 7/29 J/C 23% J/Tr 29% J/H 3/1/8
Last HC win:
04 Apr ’08 689/145 (133.3) 21.5f gd/sf Aint 7/1JF 11-8 (141) 1/29 0.25l Irish Raptor (-10) – [274.5]
held up in rear, steady headway 9th, went 2nd 4 out, led between last 2, hung left approaching elbow, 4 lengths clear 150yds out, just held on
Lto:
14 Feb 1254 Gr1C 21f gd/sf Chelt 16/1 11-10 (154) 5/10 8.75l Imperial Commander (0)
chased leaders, ridden and well there 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
Won this last year of a 13lb lower mark, though actually carried 1lb more. On the face of it should have little chance of confirming that running with Irish Raptor, as he meets him 11lbs worse terms today. However, the latter has shown nothing this term, unlike Gwanako who after UR in the Grand Sefton here in November went on to score in a Graduation Chase at Ascot in December. Nor was he disgraced when 2/4 to Voy Port Ustedes in the Betfair at Ascot in February, though his limitations at the top level were exposed when finishing 5th to Imperial Commander in the Ryanair at the Festival. Returning to Aintree however, there’s no reason that he shouldn’t go close again with conditions in his favour.
New Little Bric 8-10-9 OR 142 (136.7) (12.0)
Win % 31% gd 2/0/6 21/22f 1/0/4 Aint 0/0/1 LH 2/0/7 Gall 2/0/6 16+ Run 0/0/4
Tr 14d 5/20 Tr C 7/106 J 14d 1/8 J/C 0/7 J/Tr 19/96 J/H 1/0/1
Last HC win (lto):
28 Feb 302/154 (140.4) HC 20f gd Newb 14/1 10-2 (133) 1/15 7l The Package (-2) – [278.7]
tracked leaders, led 12th, pushed along 3 out, stayed on well run-in
Won a couple of small field NC at the start of his chasing career back in ‘06/’07, but it looked as if he’d lost the plot since until popping up at Newbury under today’s claimer lto. No doubt that had much to do with the fitting of blinkers, so the question will be whether they have the same affect again. Nevertheless, he also had to be dropped in class, distance and weight to score, and goes back up in all three today, having been raised 9lbs for the his first hcap success.
Ping Pong Sivola 6-10-3 OR 136 (129.4) (9.0)
Win % 31% gd 0/1/1 21/22f 3/2/6 Aint 0/0 LH 2/1/6 Gall 2/3/7 16+ Run 0/1/2
Tr 14d 1/14 Tr C 5/72 J 14d 1/20 J/C 1/17 J/Tr 18% J/H 1/0/1
Last HC win (3rd last):
24 Jan 157/134 (122.7) NHC 21f hv Chelt 3/1F 10-1 (112) 1/10 16l Tricky Trickster (+18) – [119.1]
made all, hit 4 out, came clear after 3 out, unchallenged
Lto:
12 Mar 513/153 (138.9) HC 21f gd/sf Chelt 13/2F 10-0 (127) 2/23 0.75l Something Wells (+7) – [265.4]
chased leaders, led 11th, clear after 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, narrowly headed last, stayed on gamely but always just held
The only mare in the field and is only a novice, starting her chasing career at Bangor in November when finishing 3/8. Since then she’s won 3 of her 7 starts and finished runner-up in the other 4. By no means disgraced in finishing runner-up at the Festival, one just wonders if there’s enough ‘give’ in the ground to suit here today. Nevertheless, must be considered off such a light weight.
Despite the bottom 14 running from out of the handicap there are still a number of others for whom claims could be made. However, I can’t include Mr Pointment among them, as to be honest he’s been rather a disappointment this time round (now a NR). The same could be said of the recent efforts of Always Waining too; his form is definitely waning. The Pipe-trained Consigliere could be interesting, though he’s neither proven on the ground or at the distance, while there was talk of The Sawyer being a National hopeful. All in all though I’ll stay with my trio, from which I believe that Gwanako has the best opportunity to complete his double.
Aintree 4.55 Listed Hcap Hurdle 342/150 (137.5) 24.5f gd – 22 Run (21 at best)
Weights raised 13lbs
Kayf Aramis 7-10-12 OR 136 (129.1) (7.0)
Win % 30% gd 0/0 24/25f 3/1/6 Aint 0/0 LH 3/1/7 Gall 0/2/4 16+ Run 1/1/3
Tr 14d 1/14 Tr C 3/33 J 14d 1/20 J/C 1/17 J/Tr 18% J/H 2/1/4
Last HH win (lto):
12 Mar 456/150 (134.8) HH 24f gd/sf Chelt 16/1 10-5 (129) 1/22 2l Buena Vista (+4) – [265.1]
always prominent, went 2nd 4th, led 3 out, ridden before last, ran on powerfully run-in
Took him a little time to get the hang of it, but has now won his last 3 starts, his latest success coming in the final of the Pertemps at the Festival. Has been raised 7lbs for that and the handicapper might now be getting to him, though he is one of the few proven at the distance. Will have to improve again, but that not beyond the realms of possibility.
Andytown 6-11-10 OR 148 (122.9) (18.0)
Win % 30% gd 0/1/3 24/25f 0/1/1 Aint 0/0 LH 3/1/6 Gall 0/0/2 16+ Run 2/0/4
Tr 14d 10/30 Tr C 4/36 J 14d 3/17 J/C 0/0 J/Tr 19/85 J/H 1/0/1
Last HH win (lto):
13 Mar 313/140 (131.5) HH 21f gd/sf Chelt 25/1 11-2 (133) 1/23 9l Midnight Chase (-2) – [270.9]
in touch, headway 5th, hit 4 out, driven to take slight lead well before last, stayed on strongly when challenged soon after, driven clear run-in
On strict interpretation he fails on a consistency basis having finished last in his penultimate run. That was in a NC however, and his hurdle form has been consistent this term. Nevertheless, he was a surprise winner of the inaugural running of the Martin Pipe handicap hurdle for conditional jockeys at the Festival, coming well clear of his field. I don’t know how pleased his trainer will have been, as he’s now running off a 15lb higher mark! There also has to be a question as to whether or not the course will suit.
Mirage Dore 6-11-5 OR 143 (134.0) (6.0)
Win % 36% gd 2/1/3 24/25f 0/0 Aint 0/0 LH 4/6/11 Gall 1/2/3 16+ Run 1/1/2
Tr 14d 3/20 Tr C 2/17 J 14d 0/3 J/C 0/7 J/Tr 5/15 J/H 4/6/11
Last HH win (2nd last):
18 Oct 120/140 (125.5) HH 21f gd Chelt 10/1 10-10 (127) 1/16 2l Fair Along (+9) – [253.9]
held up towards rear, progress into midfield after 5th, smooth headway after 2 out, led approaching last, shaken up and stayed on well
Lto:
11 Mar 456/163 (138.9) HH 21f gd/sf Chelt 14/1 9-11 (137) 2/27 1.5l Ninetieth Minute (+6) – [277.0]
held up well in rear, steady progress on outer from 6th into midfield, headway from 3 out, 6th 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no impression on winner near finish
An improving sort who started to display his talents towards the end of last season. Has had a quiet time of it this time round, beating subsequent winner Fair Along at Cheltenham in October and then not seen until finishing runner-up to Ninetieth Minute in the Coral Cup at the Festival. Gets on very well with his claimer and will enjoy conditions today, although is trying this trip for the first time.
Again there are any number that could stake a claim. Aigle D’Or is towards the front of the betting, but the stable companion of Andytown hasn’t been seen since disappointing behind Sentry Duty at Ascot in December; plus that was over 16f and he’s trying 25.5f for the first time today. I’ve not included Giles Cross, as he’s only a novice with 3 runs and while he’s won 2 of those, I feel his lack of experience could well tell in the hurly-burly of a big field handicap. Star Of Angels is looking for his first success, while Auroras Encore ran yesterday and I very much doubt an encore today (indeed, a NR). So I’ll stick with my little trio, from which I believe that Kayf Aramis and Mirage Dore have the best chance. Not much between the pair and I think the safest course of action is to make a book.
Oldtimer
Gwanako 6-11-7 OR 154 (120.5) (13.0)
Win % 27% gd 4/0/5 21/22f 2/2/7 Aint 1/0/2 LH 2/1/7 Gall 1/0/3 16+ Run 1/1/2
Tr 14d 5/20 Tr C 7/106 J 14d 7/29 J/C 23% J/Tr 29% J/H 3/1/8
Last HC win:
04 Apr ’08 689/145 (133.3) 21.5f gd/sf Aint 7/1JF 11-8 (141) 1/29 0.25l Irish Raptor (-10) – [274.5]
held up in rear, steady headway 9th, went 2nd 4 out, led between last 2, hung left approaching elbow, 4 lengths clear 150yds out, just held on
Lto:
14 Feb 1254 Gr1C 21f gd/sf Chelt 16/1 11-10 (154) 5/10 8.75l Imperial Commander (0)
chased leaders, ridden and well there 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
Won this last year of a 13lb lower mark, though actually carried 1lb more. On the face of it should have little chance of confirming that running with Irish Raptor, as he meets him 11lbs worse terms today. However, the latter has shown nothing this term, unlike Gwanako who after UR in the Grand Sefton here in November went on to score in a Graduation Chase at Ascot in December. Nor was he disgraced when 2/4 to Voy Port Ustedes in the Betfair at Ascot in February, though his limitations at the top level were exposed when finishing 5th to Imperial Commander in the Ryanair at the Festival. Returning to Aintree however, there’s no reason that he shouldn’t go close again with conditions in his favour.
New Little Bric 8-10-9 OR 142 (136.7) (12.0)
Win % 31% gd 2/0/6 21/22f 1/0/4 Aint 0/0/1 LH 2/0/7 Gall 2/0/6 16+ Run 0/0/4
Tr 14d 5/20 Tr C 7/106 J 14d 1/8 J/C 0/7 J/Tr 19/96 J/H 1/0/1
Last HC win (lto):
28 Feb 302/154 (140.4) HC 20f gd Newb 14/1 10-2 (133) 1/15 7l The Package (-2) – [278.7]
tracked leaders, led 12th, pushed along 3 out, stayed on well run-in
Won a couple of small field NC at the start of his chasing career back in ‘06/’07, but it looked as if he’d lost the plot since until popping up at Newbury under today’s claimer lto. No doubt that had much to do with the fitting of blinkers, so the question will be whether they have the same affect again. Nevertheless, he also had to be dropped in class, distance and weight to score, and goes back up in all three today, having been raised 9lbs for the his first hcap success.
Ping Pong Sivola 6-10-3 OR 136 (129.4) (9.0)
Win % 31% gd 0/1/1 21/22f 3/2/6 Aint 0/0 LH 2/1/6 Gall 2/3/7 16+ Run 0/1/2
Tr 14d 1/14 Tr C 5/72 J 14d 1/20 J/C 1/17 J/Tr 18% J/H 1/0/1
Last HC win (3rd last):
24 Jan 157/134 (122.7) NHC 21f hv Chelt 3/1F 10-1 (112) 1/10 16l Tricky Trickster (+18) – [119.1]
made all, hit 4 out, came clear after 3 out, unchallenged
Lto:
12 Mar 513/153 (138.9) HC 21f gd/sf Chelt 13/2F 10-0 (127) 2/23 0.75l Something Wells (+7) – [265.4]
chased leaders, led 11th, clear after 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, narrowly headed last, stayed on gamely but always just held
The only mare in the field and is only a novice, starting her chasing career at Bangor in November when finishing 3/8. Since then she’s won 3 of her 7 starts and finished runner-up in the other 4. By no means disgraced in finishing runner-up at the Festival, one just wonders if there’s enough ‘give’ in the ground to suit here today. Nevertheless, must be considered off such a light weight.
Despite the bottom 14 running from out of the handicap there are still a number of others for whom claims could be made. However, I can’t include Mr Pointment among them, as to be honest he’s been rather a disappointment this time round (now a NR). The same could be said of the recent efforts of Always Waining too; his form is definitely waning. The Pipe-trained Consigliere could be interesting, though he’s neither proven on the ground or at the distance, while there was talk of The Sawyer being a National hopeful. All in all though I’ll stay with my trio, from which I believe that Gwanako has the best opportunity to complete his double.
Aintree 4.55 Listed Hcap Hurdle 342/150 (137.5) 24.5f gd – 22 Run (21 at best)
Weights raised 13lbs
Kayf Aramis 7-10-12 OR 136 (129.1) (7.0)
Win % 30% gd 0/0 24/25f 3/1/6 Aint 0/0 LH 3/1/7 Gall 0/2/4 16+ Run 1/1/3
Tr 14d 1/14 Tr C 3/33 J 14d 1/20 J/C 1/17 J/Tr 18% J/H 2/1/4
Last HH win (lto):
12 Mar 456/150 (134.8) HH 24f gd/sf Chelt 16/1 10-5 (129) 1/22 2l Buena Vista (+4) – [265.1]
always prominent, went 2nd 4th, led 3 out, ridden before last, ran on powerfully run-in
Took him a little time to get the hang of it, but has now won his last 3 starts, his latest success coming in the final of the Pertemps at the Festival. Has been raised 7lbs for that and the handicapper might now be getting to him, though he is one of the few proven at the distance. Will have to improve again, but that not beyond the realms of possibility.
Andytown 6-11-10 OR 148 (122.9) (18.0)
Win % 30% gd 0/1/3 24/25f 0/1/1 Aint 0/0 LH 3/1/6 Gall 0/0/2 16+ Run 2/0/4
Tr 14d 10/30 Tr C 4/36 J 14d 3/17 J/C 0/0 J/Tr 19/85 J/H 1/0/1
Last HH win (lto):
13 Mar 313/140 (131.5) HH 21f gd/sf Chelt 25/1 11-2 (133) 1/23 9l Midnight Chase (-2) – [270.9]
in touch, headway 5th, hit 4 out, driven to take slight lead well before last, stayed on strongly when challenged soon after, driven clear run-in
On strict interpretation he fails on a consistency basis having finished last in his penultimate run. That was in a NC however, and his hurdle form has been consistent this term. Nevertheless, he was a surprise winner of the inaugural running of the Martin Pipe handicap hurdle for conditional jockeys at the Festival, coming well clear of his field. I don’t know how pleased his trainer will have been, as he’s now running off a 15lb higher mark! There also has to be a question as to whether or not the course will suit.
Mirage Dore 6-11-5 OR 143 (134.0) (6.0)
Win % 36% gd 2/1/3 24/25f 0/0 Aint 0/0 LH 4/6/11 Gall 1/2/3 16+ Run 1/1/2
Tr 14d 3/20 Tr C 2/17 J 14d 0/3 J/C 0/7 J/Tr 5/15 J/H 4/6/11
Last HH win (2nd last):
18 Oct 120/140 (125.5) HH 21f gd Chelt 10/1 10-10 (127) 1/16 2l Fair Along (+9) – [253.9]
held up towards rear, progress into midfield after 5th, smooth headway after 2 out, led approaching last, shaken up and stayed on well
Lto:
11 Mar 456/163 (138.9) HH 21f gd/sf Chelt 14/1 9-11 (137) 2/27 1.5l Ninetieth Minute (+6) – [277.0]
held up well in rear, steady progress on outer from 6th into midfield, headway from 3 out, 6th 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no impression on winner near finish
An improving sort who started to display his talents towards the end of last season. Has had a quiet time of it this time round, beating subsequent winner Fair Along at Cheltenham in October and then not seen until finishing runner-up to Ninetieth Minute in the Coral Cup at the Festival. Gets on very well with his claimer and will enjoy conditions today, although is trying this trip for the first time.
Again there are any number that could stake a claim. Aigle D’Or is towards the front of the betting, but the stable companion of Andytown hasn’t been seen since disappointing behind Sentry Duty at Ascot in December; plus that was over 16f and he’s trying 25.5f for the first time today. I’ve not included Giles Cross, as he’s only a novice with 3 runs and while he’s won 2 of those, I feel his lack of experience could well tell in the hurly-burly of a big field handicap. Star Of Angels is looking for his first success, while Auroras Encore ran yesterday and I very much doubt an encore today (indeed, a NR). So I’ll stick with my little trio, from which I believe that Kayf Aramis and Mirage Dore have the best chance. Not much between the pair and I think the safest course of action is to make a book.
Oldtimer