Skip to content

Racecards

15:45 Aintree

John Smith's Fox Hunters' Chase (Class 2)

  • 29 Runners
  • Distance: 2m 5f 110y
  • Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
  • Surface: Turf
  • £40,000 added
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 5m 30.50s
  • Off Time: 15:47:36
  • 29 Ran
1
Silk - Light Blue, White sleeves, Emerald Green and Yellow quartered cap
  • Form 11P1-B1
  • Age 8
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 116

towards rear, never dangerous

2
Silk - Red, Royal Blue sleeves, Royal Blue cap, Red star
20/1
  • Form 111P12
  • Age 7
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 134

towards rear, headway 5 out, no further progress

3
Silk - Royal Blue, White hoops, Maroon sleeves and cap
40/1
  • Form 812142
  • Age 9
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 120

mid-division, headway 4 out, in touch approaching 2 out, soon ridden and effort, no extra flat

4
Silk - Dark Blue and Pink check, halved sleeves
28/1
  • Form 125-F31
  • Age 9
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 125

in touch, headway to chase leaders 5 out, effort approaching 2 out, weakening when blundered last

5
Silk - BROWN, beige braces, orange cap
40/1
  • Form 8P2-31P
  • Age 12
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 124

chased leaders, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, no extra under pressure

6
Silk - Red, Yellow sash, White sleeves, Royal Blue armlets, Red and Royal Blue quartered cap
  • Form F115-1P
  • Age 12
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 126

towards rear, headway 5 out, went 2nd between last 2, soon ridden and effort, one pace flat

8
Silk - Mauve, White diamond, quartered cap
  • Form 1-21P32
  • Age 11
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 112

led until fell 3rd (Chair)

9
Silk - Yellow, Black chevron, diabolo on sleeves
  • Form 38/P221
  • Age 11
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 131

always behind

10
Silk - Dark Green, Orange stripe, White sleeves and cap
100/1
  • Form 12-21P3
  • Age 9
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 104

towards rear, struggling from 9th

11
Silk - Emerald green, orange hoops, white cap
16/1
  • Form 55-P1P1
  • Age 7
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 105

mid-division, headway and in touch 4 out, ridden and effort last, kept on same pace

12
Silk - Dark green, pink stars, pink cap
50/1
  • Form F3P243
  • Age 10
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 122

towards rear, never dangerous

13
Silk - Beige, Maroon chevron, sleeves and cap
  • Form 12/31-11
  • Age 13
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 122

always behind

14
Silk - BLACK and WHITE (halved), RED sleeves and cap

Le Duc (FR)

21 CD
11/1
  • Form 6101-29
  • Age 10
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 127

mid-division, headway 12th (Canal Turn), effort after 3 out, one pace

15
Silk - DARK BLUE, RED cap, GREEN spots
  • Form 47222F
  • Age 10
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 105

always behind

16
Silk - WHITE, cyclamen sash, cyclamen cap, white hoop
  • Form 500/153
  • Age 12
  • Weight 12-0

always behind

17
Silk - EMERALD GREEN and YELLOW (quartered), WHITE sleeves and cap

Maurice (FR)

25 t D
100/1
  • Form 4P-PP51
  • Age 9
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 118

mid-division, headway 12th (Canal Turn), weakening when blundered and unseated rider 3 out

18
Silk - White, Grey sleeves, Black stars, Black cap
10/1
  • Form 724621
  • Age 9
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 125

prominent, with leader from 5th, led approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on one pace

19
Silk - Royal Blue, Pink stars, Pink and Royal Blue diabolo on sleeves, White cap
200/1
  • Form 51/14PP-
  • Age 11
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 103

in touch, fell 10th (Bechers Brook)

20
Silk - Red, Royal Blue sleeves, White cap
25/1
  • Form 051211
  • Age 9
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 130

towards rear, fell 3rd (Chair)

21
Silk - Yellow, dark blue stripe
  • Form 26P1-37
  • Age 10
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 107

towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out

22
Silk - Lilac, Dark Blue sleeves, Mauve cap
20/1
  • Form 112111
  • Age 11
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 124

mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 12th (Canal Turn)

23
Silk - BLACK, emerald green sash and cap
100/1
  • Form 45PU33
  • Age 11
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 120

towards rear, blundered badly 3rd (Chair), tailed off when fell 14th

24
Silk - Royal Blue and Mauve (quartered), Royal Blue sleeves

Strong Weld

27 pt
50/1
  • Form 11-21P6
  • Age 12
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 114

prominent, left in lead 3rd (Chair), mistake 8th, mistake 12th (Canal Turn), headed approaching 2 out, faded

25
Silk - Yellow, Emerald Green braces, armlets and star on cap
25/1
  • Form 128471
  • Age 13
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 126

tracked leaders, hampered 3rd (Chair), close up when fell 5th

26
Silk - ROYAL BLUE, YELLOW sleeves, WHITE cap
28/1
  • Form P7-4321
  • Age 11
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 116

mid-division, outpaced from 12th (Canal Turn)

27
Silk - Light Blue, Dark Blue chevrons, dark blue chevrons on sleeves, Light Blue cap, White spots
  • Form 43/11P-1
  • Age 11
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 136

mid-division, headway 12th (Canal Turn), led between last 2, ran on strongly

28
Silk - White and Red check, Red cap, White star
  • Form 007-PP1
  • Age 11
  • Weight 12-0

in touch, weakened 12th (Canal Turn) behind when blundered and unseated rider 3 out

29
Silk - Red, Grey sleeves, Yellow cap
33/1
  • Form 17-4311
  • Age 13
  • Weight 12-0

towards rear, never dangerous

30
Silk - Brown, Yellow disc, Yellow cap, Brown star
66/1
  • Form 112-P43
  • Age 9
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 117

towards rear, never dangerous

7
NR
  • Form 245221
  • Age 8
  • Weight 12-0
  • Official Rating 115

Nonrunner

Previous results

In depth

Verdict

Le Duc loves this time of year but as surprising as it sounds in a Hunters' Chase there might be a more progressive rival and it is the eight-year-old AGUS A VIC who can make the journey from Ireland worthwhile; onto the shortlist go Distant Thunder, Having A Cut, Trust Fund and Sonevafushi. Pat Martin's gelding comes here after a convincing win at Leopardstown in February. His excellent record at Leopardstown will set him in good stead for this race and assuming he handles these fences (normally a very good jumper) then he may take some beating. Trust Fund landed a touch at Chepstow recently and he stays all day; the drop in trip therefore is probably against him and he also made a couple of bad blunders during that win. Distant Thunder warmed up for this with a win between the flags and his earlier reappearance behind Limerick Boy reads well. Sam Waley-Cohen knows these fences more than any other jockey in the line-up (won this race in 05 and 06 with Katarino) and therefore the former Ditcheat inmate Blu Teen cannot be discounted especially as he rides him in preference to Mel In Blue who he knows well. Mr S McGonagle takes time off from Hogwarts to ride Backstage for Gordon Elliott, whilst Christy Beamish won this race last year and a return to this track will suit more than Cheltenham last time. Having A Cut looks progressive and could become the youngest winner of this race for a long long time, whilst former Gold Cup third Take The Stand comes here in good form and although the trip is on the short side he is not to be ruled out. A flat track suits recent winner Jurado Express so he is another who must be considered but in the trickiest of races it is Agus A Vic who can lead them home.

Formwatch

Agus A Vic (IRE) 11-4 (12-0) Mid-division, headway to 5th 7 out, 3rd 5 out, improved to 2nd 2 out, challenged approaching last, ridden to lead run-in, kept on well, won at Leopardstown 3m hts chs sft in Feb beating Carronhills (12-0) by 4l, 16 ran.

Backstage (FR) 4-6 (12-0) Ww, gd prog 3out, eff 2out, not get to wnr, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Top Twig (12-0) at Oldcastle 3m ire ptp in Mar.

Ballybough Jack (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Held up in last place, headway 14th, chased winner before 3 out, ridden next, soon beaten, virtually walked over line, 2nd of 6, 24l behind Cool Roxy (11-9) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Oct.

Blu Teen (FR) 4-6 (12-7) (tt) hdwy 9; led 13; rdly, won at Ston Easton 3m ptp in Mar beating Celestial Dragon (12-0) by 5l, 6 ran.

Brooklyn Breeze (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, mid-division 8th, hit 4 out, weakening when hit 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Character Building (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Mar, 24 ran.

Christy Beamish (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) In touch, lost place when hit 8th, behind from 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Cappa Bleu (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs in Mar, 24 ran.

De Luain Gorm (IRE) 8-1 (11-13) Led at good pace, ridden, joined 15th, narrowly headed bypassing last, found no extra, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Jurado Express (11-11) at Kempton 2m 4f hts chs (4) gd in Mar.

Distant Thunder (IRE) 13-8 (12-0) Disp frm 13; lft clr 2 out; ro wl, won at Larkhill 3m ptp in Mar beating Who Else Knew (12-0) by 15l, 9 ran.

Hambaphambili 11-2 (11-5) Prominent, reminder after 7th, edged left after 2 out, one pace, jumped right last, 3rd of 17, 11l behind Baby Run (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gs in Feb.

Having A Cut (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway in 2nd before straight, led passing 3 out, soon challenged, ridden and kept on well from before last, won at Down Royal 2m 4f hts chs sft in Mar beating Top Twig (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 18 ran.

Herecomestanley 9-2 (11-13) Held up in rear, ridden 12th, jumped left 4 out, stayed on from next, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Brer Bear (11-5) at Newbury 3m hts chs (6) gd in Mar.

Jurado Express (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Mistake 1st, chased winner throughout, challenged from 14th, led bypassing last, kept on well, won at Kempton 2m 4f hts chs (4) gd in Mar beating De Luain Gorm (11-13) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.

Le Duc (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway after 9th, hampered 14th, hit 16th, tracking leaders from 3 out, weakened flat, 9th of 24, 24l behind Character Building (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Mar.

Man From Highworth 3-1 (12-0) Led & fell 2 out, in a race won by Distant Thunder (12-0) at Larkhill 3m ptp in Mar, 9 ran.

Marcus Du Berlais (FR) 3-1 (12-0) Mostly 4th till 5th 5out, 4th next, fair 3rd 3out, not qkn in 4th from 2out, ko onepcd, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Twilight Trix (12-0) at Ballyragget 3m ire ptp in Mar.

Maurice (FR) 7-1 (12-0) Hdwy 13; led flat; rdn out, won at Bangor-on-dee 3m ptp in Mar beating Adams Wine (12-0) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.

Mcevoy (IRE) 9-4fav (12-6) With leader, led 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on well, won at Leicester 2m hts chs (6) gs in Mar beating Man From Highworth (11-5) by 2 1/4l, 13 ran.

Mel In Blue (FR) 15-8 (11-12) Soon in touch racing keenly, mistake 9th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by You Do The Math (11-11) at Stratford 2m 7f hts chs (5) sft in Apr '08, 9 ran.

Menchikov (FR) 4-5 (12-7) Ap; lft in ld 15; all out, won at Garthorpe 3m ptp in Mar beating Cheyne (12-0) by 1/2l, 3 ran.

Royal Hector (GER) 7-1 (11-7) In touch until weakened after 12th, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Cava Bien (11-7) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.

Sonevafushi (FR) 2-5 (12-7) Led app 4; rdly, won at Brocklesby Park 3m ptp in Mar beating The Hookie Bookie (12-7) by 5l, 8 ran.

St Matthew (USA) 6-1 (12-0) Mid div, tr ldrs 3out, not qckn bef 2out, ko, 3rd of 9, 18l behind Top Twig (12-0) at Oldcastle 3m ire ptp in Mar.

Strong Weld 11-2 (11-7) Led, headed approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 6th of 10, 12l behind Coolefind (12-0) at Leicester 2m 7f hts chs (3) gs in Mar.

Take The Stand (IRE) 15-8fav (12-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 8th until 11th, blundered next, 2nd again after 13th, led after 3 out, mistake 2 out, drew clear, won at Warwick 3m 2f hts chs (6) gd in Mar beating Wild Is The Wind (11-13) by 13l, 8 ran.

Theatre Knight (IRE) 4-5 (12-7) (cp) led to last; rallied flat; jnd ldr post, won at Parham 3m ptp in Mar deadheating with Elenas River (12-0), 5 ran.

Trust Fund (IRE) 7-4fav (12-3) In touch, chased leaders 5th, joined leader 14th, led 4 out, clear 2 out, ran on well, won at Chepstow 3m 5f nov hts chs (5) gd in Mar beating Holly Walk (10-9) by 16l, 20 ran.

Twilight Trix (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) Mod 2nd till closed 10th, ld bef 4out, 1L ld 2out, chall strongly flat, kow, jnd cl home, won at Ballyragget 3m ire ptp in Mar deadheating with Where Now (12-0), 8 ran.

Where Now (IRE) 7-4 (12-0) Ran 3rd, went 2nd 3out, prog to chall & mstk last, kow flat to close nr fin, won at Ballyragget 3m ire ptp in Mar deadheating with Twilight Trix (12-0), 8 ran.

Whistling Straits (IRE) 7-2fav (12-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd at 7th, ridden 4 out, stayed on from last, 3rd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Coolefind (12-0) at Leicester 2m 7f hts chs (3) gs in Mar.

City Affair 1-4 (12-7) Went 2nd 7; led 15; v easy, won at Howick 3m ptp in Mar beating Lough Ennel (12-7) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.