Racecards
15:10 Aintree
John Smith's Anniversary 4-y-o Novices' Hurdle (grade 1) (Class 1)
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £130,000 added
- Form 1110
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey P J Brennan
chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, hit 5th, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace after
- Form 251
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 119
- Trainer Mrs Caroline Bailey
- Jockey T Messenger
led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
- Form 11
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer F Doumen
- Jockey Jacques Ricou
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, outpaced from 2 out
- Form 111129
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 132
- Trainer P A Blockley
- Jockey M Bradburne
chased leader to 4th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 121111
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 159
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly
- Form 29
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey S Thomas
chased leaders, ridden and slightly outpaced after 6th, came stand side approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out
Marsam (IRE)
54- Form 3F55
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer John Joseph Murphy
- Jockey E F Power
held up, ridden and struggling 6th, tailed off before 3 out, mistake and unseated rider last
- Form 13
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer C J Mann
- Jockey N D Fehily
held up towards rear, hit 4th, headway approaching 3 out, hung left and weakened after 2 out
- Form 114
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 146
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
held up, steady headway from 5th, pecked 3 out, chased winner 2 out, stayed on, no impression from last
- Form 141810
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 127
mistake 1st, always towards rear, tailed off approaching 3 out
Sendani (FR)
218- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
jumped badly, tailed off 3rd, soon pulled up
- Form 1131
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey A P McCoy
mid-division, progress 4th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Triumph Hurdle winner Katchit is taken to extend his terrific run of form here at the main expense of Degas Art, Punjabi and Tritonix. Alan King had a tremendous Cheltenham festival partly down to the selection's imperious win in the Triumph Hurdle and the selection is fancied to make it seven from eight over hurdles. Blessed with a lightning turn of foot and a high cruising speed, there is no doubt that Katchit has been one of the horses of the season and with today's ground conditions no problem, he looks hard to oppose. Degas Art is the only horse to have lowered the colours of the selection so far this season, however he chased too quick a pace in the Triumph and must settle better if he is to trouble the judge today. Grand Bleu is an interesting prospect from Francois Doumen's stable however he is thought to want soft ground so for that reason alone must be opposed. Tritonix has won three of his last four in impressive fashion (only defeat came on soft) and so warrants plenty of respect as he possesses a tremendous turn of foot. Punjabi rates more of a threat to the selection in this contest as he was never really able to get to the head of affairs last time out and if able to dominate this smaller field, he could be hard to peg back; jockeys will need to keep their wits about them. Mobaasher ran a fine race to finish third behind the selection last time out but off level weights once more he must be opposed, and so we will return to Alan King's Katchit as our confident selection.
Formwatch
Degas Art (IRE) Led, mistake 3rd, hit 5th, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 0th of 41, 0.0000 behind Alqaab at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Grand Bleu (IRE) 11-10fav (11-8) Held up in touch, headway to lead approaching 2 out, clear approaching last, easily, won at Haydock 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) hvy in Feb beating King's Revenge (11-4) by 15l, 5 ran.
Is It Me (USA) 6-1 (11-6) Raced on inside, led until headed 3 out, weakened quickly, mistake last, 9th of 10, 46l behind Katchit (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Katchit (IRE) In touch, smooth headway after 3 out, tracked leader on bit soon after 2 out, led well before last, drew clear flat, 0th of 41, 0.0000 behind Alqaab at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Mobaasher (USA) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, staying on when jumped left last, soon one pace, 0th of 41, 0.0000 behind Alqaab at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Punjabi Keen hold, tracked leaders, chased leader before 3 out, led 2 out, headed well before last, weakened flat, 0th of 41, 0.0000 behind Alqaab at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Sendani (FR) (9-0) 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Watch What Happens (8-6) at Chantilly 1m stk gd in Sept (Flat).
Tritonix (IRE) 13-8fav (11-7) Held up mid-division, headway after 3 out to track leaders, effort approaching last, soon one pace, 3rd of 12, 14l behind Katchit (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) sft in Dec.