Racecards
14:50 Aintree
Toteexacta Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 3m 110y
- Going: Good to Soft, Good in places
- Surface: Turf
- £10,000 added
- Form 71/6641-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Christian Williams
held up towards rear, ridden to go in touch after 4 out, weakened 2 out
Bijou Dan
27- Form 46/5112
- Age 8
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer G M Moore
- Jockey M O'connell
tracked leaders, reminders after 7th, took closer order next, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
- Form 65/723-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A P McCoy
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
- Form 41P6-14
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer Miss R Curtis
- Jockey J M Maguire
led, headed approaching 5th, led again after 7th, headed 2 out, kept on same pace
- Form 1/3332-5
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer Mrs S J Smith
- Jockey H Oliver
with leader, led approaching 5th, headed after 7th, chased leader until weakened 5 out
- Form 753191
- Age 7
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 104
- Trainer Miss L Harrison
- Jockey E Whillans
held up, headway after 4 out, one pace when not fluent last
- Form P604-11
- Age 6
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 102
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey Michael Murphy
tracked leaders, led 2 out, ridden and not fluent last, kept on well
- Form 286571
- Age 5
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey P J Brennan
held up in touch, challenged 4 out, weakened 2 out
- Form 565P6-7
- Age 5
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey P Buchanan
held up in rear, ridden 9th, weakened approaching 3 out
- Form 413850-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer J L Flint
- Jockey A Thornton
in touch, reminders approaching 8th, weakened 3 out
- Form 0-24743
- Age 6
- Weight 10-3
- Official Rating 97
- Trainer Mrs M Hobbs
- Jockey Sean Quinlan
held up towards rear, fell 4 out
Verdict
Sir Alex Ferguson has a date with Liverpool on Sunday but his PICTURE THIS can have the locals cheering loudly though Chesapeake and Be Brief are worthy of note. The gelding does not appear to be the speediest of conveyances but he seems a resolute enough stayer and while an 11lb hike for victory at Cheltenham appears harsh; it takes into account that at a mark of 109 - he had been let in lightly. Chesapeake was a fair type on the level when trained by David Wachman. A half-brother to Kazzia, it appears more probable that he was not bred with this engagement in mind. Be Brief is respected despite offering not a great deal of encouragement in the early part of his career. The Smith's are dab hands at unearthing staying types and this looks no exception. Bijou Dan has been a fine servant to connections and should run his race. Victory Parade looks a speculative entry having disappointed at Ffos Las. Bob 'N' You attempts to step up grade having obliged in two relatively modest events. Solway Bay hails from unfashionable connections so expect the bookies to be generous in their assessment and as he is proven over the trip, he could be worthy of each way interest. Picture This is the pick.
Formwatch
Picture This (IRE) 9-2fav (11-1) Held up towards rear, nudged along and steady headway after 3 out, ridden into slight advantage when hit last, stayed on, driven out, won at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr beating Easter Legend (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 17 ran.
Bijou Dan 7-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, chased winner 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 7, 18l behind Dunaskin (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Chesapeake (IRE) 6-1fav (10-9) Towards rear, mistake and ridden 5th, driven and headway on outside after 3 out, chasing leader and every chance when not fluent last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 20, 2 3/4l behind Gala Evening (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
Victory Parade (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Close up, weakened after 4 out, 4th of 15, 12l behind Carsonstown Boy (11-12) at Ffos Las 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Be Brief 4-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 7, 17l behind Checkerboard (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf.
Solway Bay 9-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 5th, led over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf beating Spring Breeze (11-9) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Bob 'n' You (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, headway after 7th, led 2 out, idling when blundered last, ridden out, won at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May beating Ramvaswani (10-13) by 2l, 15 ran.
Dunbrody House 22-1 (11-12) Held up mid-divison, led after last, held on well, won at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf beating Tantobie (10-12) by 3l, 16 ran.
Quinder Spring (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 12, 26l behind A Little Different (10-13) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sep.
Normally 40-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 14th of 17, well behind Picture This (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Aspolan (GER) 11-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, raced keenly, headway 3 out, switched right after 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Synonymy (10-6) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Sep.