AINTREE
2:00 JOHN SMITH'S MILDMAY NOVICES' CHASE GRADE 2 (CLASS 1) (5yo+) 3m1f
ALBERTAS RUN 11-7 ~ Clear cut winner of the Sun Alliance at the Cheltenham festival but he ran out a comfortable winner and didn’t look to have had a hard race. As a result he is the one they all have to beat with the only concern being how badly the horse performed when last running at Aintree. However the horse has improved considerably since that run and no reason to think he hasn’t finished progressing given the ease of his win at the festival.
JOE LIVELY 11-7 ~ Won a couple of small field novice chases in impressive fashion but has since been well beaten by Albertas Run in his last two races. He was below form in both runs but he can’t be confidently backed to reverse the form with that rival given his current form.
CEDRUS LIBANI 11-5 ~ Unbeaten over fences but those have all been over 2 miles and todays step up to 3 miles isn’t certain to suit. He is unfortunate in that he is a stable companion of Tidal Bay so that horse lines up in the 2 mile novice chase latter on in the week. Although Cedrus Libani could only beat what was in front of him over fences he has been running in far weaker races and todays step up in class and trip looks against him.
BIG BUCK’S 11-3 ~ Wasn’t disgraced when finishing 7th in the Jewson Novice’ Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham festival and he’s been running as if needing a stiffer test of stamina. However all the horse’ best form has come when there has been plenty of cut in the ground so todays quick conditions may not suit but impression is the trip definitely will. An interesting runner but he may find the top 3 mile novices just too good in this quicker ground.
ROLL ALONG 11-3 ~ 2nd in the Sun Alliance but was given too much to do when trying the trip for the first time and came from some way back to finish 2nd. Chances if given a better ride but having encouraged connections of his ability to get the trip he will surely be.
STARZAAN 11-3 ~ Made a bad error in the Sun Alliance Chase which cost him any chance but he was still going well when making the error 3 out and he was pulled up as a result. He was looking booked for a place at the time so if putting in a more assure round of jumping he would have to be of interest. The Hughie Morrison 9yo has been revelation over fences this season and isn’t without a chance.
BATTLECRY 11-0 ~ Career best effort when 3rd in the Sun Alliance but he deserves plenty of credit as he was the only one who was able to serve it up to the eventual winner and he paid for it in the closing stages. He did have a hard race as he was legless at the finish so it could have left its mark but if it hasn’t he could prove the main danger to the favourite.
MONZON 11-0 ~ Beaten 3 horses in his last 5 starts over fences and don’t get fooled by his 2nd behind Roll Along when only two horses finished. He doesn’t have a prayer but a nice day out for Mr Gorman.
CONCLUSION
Shortlist includes Albertas Run, Big Bucks, Roll Along, Starzaan and Battlecry.
Obviously the key race here is the Sun Alliance and the horses who took part in that race are Albertas Run, Roll Along, Starzaan and Battlecry.
Possol franked Starzaan’s form in the Jewson but there is still the question mark hanging over both his wins because he effectively only had one serious rival to beat in each race. His run in the Sun Alliance didn’t allay any fears and he needs to step up if he is to challenge the favourite.
Roll Along and Battlecry are interesting as Battlecry only weakened at the finish in the Sun Alliance and Roll Along only got going when the race was effectively over. Slight preference would be for the latter who was trying the trip so the first time and was ridden too cautiously as a result. He may also possess more pace than Battlecry as he was a successful bumper horse.
However he will need to improve considerably if he is to reverse Sun Alliance form with Albertas Run. Who basically cantered all over the field at the festival and who won with plenty in hand suggesting he didn’t have a hard race. He looks progressive and having won here at last years Aintree festival he should have plenty enough pace to reproduce his Cheltenham form at Aintree.
Big Bucks looks to be the only potential fly in the ointment but he would prefer softer ground and comes here off the back of a hard race in the Jewson. He should have little problem with 3 miles round Aintree though but he doesn’t possess the class to beat an on-song Albertas Run.
2pt WIN – ALBERTAS RUN @ 7/4
RESULT
ALBERTAS RUN 3rd = -2pts
2:00 JOHN SMITH'S MILDMAY NOVICES' CHASE GRADE 2 (CLASS 1) (5yo+) 3m1f
ALBERTAS RUN 11-
JOE LIVELY 11-
CEDRUS LIBANI 11-
BIG BUCK’S 11-
ROLL ALONG 11-
STARZAAN 11-
BATTLECRY 11-
MONZON 11-
CONCLUSION
Shortlist includes Albertas Run, Big Bucks, Roll Along, Starzaan and Battlecry.
Obviously the key race here is the Sun Alliance and the horses who took part in that race are Albertas Run, Roll Along, Starzaan and Battlecry.
Possol franked Starzaan’s form in the Jewson but there is still the question mark hanging over both his wins because he effectively only had one serious rival to beat in each race. His run in the Sun Alliance didn’t allay any fears and he needs to step up if he is to challenge the favourite.
Roll Along and Battlecry are interesting as Battlecry only weakened at the finish in the Sun Alliance and Roll Along only got going when the race was effectively over. Slight preference would be for the latter who was trying the trip so the first time and was ridden too cautiously as a result. He may also possess more pace than Battlecry as he was a successful bumper horse.
However he will need to improve considerably if he is to reverse Sun Alliance form with Albertas Run. Who basically cantered all over the field at the festival and who won with plenty in hand suggesting he didn’t have a hard race. He looks progressive and having won here at last years Aintree festival he should have plenty enough pace to reproduce his Cheltenham form at Aintree.
Big Bucks looks to be the only potential fly in the ointment but he would prefer softer ground and comes here off the back of a hard race in the Jewson. He should have little problem with 3 miles round Aintree though but he doesn’t possess the class to beat an on-
2pt WIN – ALBERTAS RUN @ 7/4
RESULT
ALBERTAS RUN 3rd = -
