Racecards
12:45 Aintree
Betfair.Com 0870 90 80 121 Novices' Hurdle (Class B)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Form 112113
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey W Marston
led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, kept on same pace
Lennel
160- Form 3
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer A Bailey
- Jockey V Slattery
always behind, lost place after 4 out
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey G Lee
tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 2nd, went 2nd approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, led last, ran on
Thames (IRE)
232- Form 34/3P-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M Foley
tracked leader, mistake 2nd, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, kept on and no impression from next
In depth
Verdict
No Refuge can land a debut success for new connections although Football Crazy will prove a tough nut to crack. A useful sort for Sir Mark Prescott on the flat, he wouldn't want too much more rain but Graham Wylie paid plenty for him and this is an obvious opportunity to start recouping the purchase price. Football Crazy has been very busy during recent months and sets the benchmark for the race. He did run a tad flat last time out though and Peter Bowen's staff will have had something of a job in sweetening him up. Thames has been highly tried in the past but the owner has plenty of winners here so he market is watched. Lennel would have to show massive improvement to be anywhere near good enough here. A fascinating race in spite of a small field but No Refuge is selected to make a winning debut.