May 17 / 19.30 Aintree

19.30

Good

Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £12253.5
  • 3m 0f 210y
  • Class 2
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.40
  • Place: £2.40

Form: /42PP- D

Last run: 96 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Three-time hurdle winner; posted best of three runs over fences when second clear at Huntingdon (2m7f, good to soft) in November but was pulled up (albeit on slow ground) on both subsequent hurdling starts and it's hard to know what to expect from him here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

24th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Warwick

Captain Morgs

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Useful over hurdles and fences on his day; out of sorts since chase success last May but this is a drop back in class and mark is workable on best form.

7/1

5th

3

24th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Warwick

Captain Morgs

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Useful over hurdles and fences on his day; out of sorts since chase success last May but this is a drop back in class and mark is workable on best form.

7/1

21

12th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Captain Morgs

10st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nicky Henderson

Good ground suits but he's not the easiest to predict at the best of times and has run badly in all three races since his chase win at Aintree (3m1f, good) last May; had a second wind operation before penultimate start and was back hurdling for latest; well treated on best form but the chances of his reproducing it seem to be receding.

66/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 1113P-

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Launched chasing career with three consecutive wins last year (2m4f-2m7) and is evidently very versatile regarding ground; weakened out of contention after running well to a point in competitive novices' handicap at Ayr (3m, soft) last month but further progress remains possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

23rd Sep 2025

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 3

16:30 Warwick

Young Buster

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Made it 4-9 over fences when coming clear for a 24l success at Kempton in April (3m, good) but that race fell apart and he faded to be beaten a long way at Uttoxeter two months ago (3m2f, good); needs to leave that run behind but he's not handicapped out of it.

11/2

8th

2

27th Jul 2025

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 2

15:07 Uttoxeter

Young Buster

11st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Made it 4-9 over fences when coming clear for a 24l success at Kempton in April (3m, good); the two other finishers perhaps ran below form but a 4lb rise could have been a lot worse.

9/2

25/1

  • Place: £4.80

Form: 6/P7-V D

Last run: 7 days

W: 10st 11lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Returned from long layoff with quite encouraging run on heavy ground in February (albeit eventually pulled up) but was soundly beaten when back on good ground last month; younger rivals have more convincing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

19:30 Stratford

Broken Quest

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: David Dennis

Only this year returned from a long absence and showed he was no back number with an 11l third at Aintree two weeks ago (3m1f, good); stamina for quite this far is by no means assured but he can't be ruled out.

8/1

Form: /3219- D

Last run: 35 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Looked as good as ever when winning from the front at regular haunt Kelso (2m5f, soft) in February and last month's defeat over the big fences here is not viewed harshly; 3m1f on good ground will also suit; can make his presence felt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:50 Carlisle

Empire Steel

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Sandy Thomson

Very well handicapped on old form and returned from layoff with quite encouraging run at Musselburgh (2m7f, good to soft) in January but ought to have been suited by the heavy ground when tailed off at Kelso last month and it's hard to know what to expect from him here.

5/1

5th

4

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 2

15:00 Kelso

Empire Steel

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Sandy Thomson

12yo who wasn't the force of old last season but he's dropped down the weights and returned from an absence with an encouraging fourth at Musselburgh (2m7f, good to soft) a fortnight ago; could show the benefit of that latest outing today, especially now back at a track where he is four from six.

9/2

4th

1

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 3

16:11 Musselburgh

Empire Steel

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Sandy Thomson

12yo who wasn't the force of old last season and was pulled up last January when last seen; however, he can go well fresh and returns on a reduced mark and with his trainer enjoying a productive winter; not discounted.

6/1

Form: 1P/P6- D

Last run: 125 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Won five times and developed into very useful chaser in 2022 but was disappointing on both appearances last season, latterly when reverting to hurdling in January; hooded for first time here; needs to get career back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

13:30 Wetherby

Into Overdrive

12st 0lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

lost many lengths start, reluctant to race, in rear, pulled up after 2nd

12/1

1

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

13:30 Wetherby

Into Overdrive

12st 0lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

lost many lengths start, reluctant to race, in rear, pulled up after 2nd

12/1

2

17th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 2

19:30 Aintree

Into Overdrive

11st 12lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Won five times and developed into very useful chaser in 2022 but was disappointing on both appearances last season, latterly when reverting to hurdling in January; hooded for first time here; needs to get career back on track.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 13P40- CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Six chase wins, the latest gained in this contest 12 months ago (good ground); ran another big race over C&D (good to soft) when fourth at last month's Grand National meeting and didn't run badly in major handicap at Sandown three weeks ago; good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 2

14:05 Doncaster

Kinondo Kwetu

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

He won two in a row in the summer (3m2f/2m7f, good) but was pulled up at Cheltenham (3m1f, good) in October and soundly beaten in the Rehearsal at Newcastle (2m7f, good) last time; needs to bounce back.

25/1

Form: 56449- D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Below form at Cheltenham last month but was very creditable fourth off today's mark in Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster (3m, good) in January and ran about as well as could have been expected when last of four in Grade 1 Ascot Chase (2m5f, good to soft) in February; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

23rd Sep 2025

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 3

16:30 Warwick

Sail Away

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won well off 4lb lower at Aintree in May (3m1f, good) and a 4lb higher mark doesn't look too damaging; strongly considered as fitness is unlikely to be an issue given his yard.

2/1

Form: 0P15P- D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Perked up by addition of cheekpieces when winning at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in December; also ran well when fifth (just behind Sail Away) in Great Yorkshire Chase over that C&D in January but was pulled up here last month and needs to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

15th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 3

18:55 Aintree

Erne River

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nick Kent

Still runs well now and again but this 11yo is not as good as he was and become inconsistent.

16/1

4th

2

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 3

15:30 Kelso

Erne River

11st 8lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Nick Kent

Ran well for a long way when fourth at Doncaster (3m, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) in February and remains well handicapped but this steadily regressive 11yo has become inconsistent, and others appeal more.

4/1

4th

1

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:05 Doncaster

Erne River

12st 1lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Nick Kent

Winless since December 2023 and pulled up over C&D in December on sole run this term; however, he may have needed that outing and is on a handy mark on last season's best efforts; has won here three times, including in these reapplied cheekpieces, and is not ruled out; the tongue-tie is a first.

10/1

Non-runners

Courtland, Cerendipity

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £69.80
Straight Forecast £74.14
Tricast £1611.53
Trifecta £1035.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Kinondo Kwetu

TOPSPEED:

Sail Away

The Times:

Empire Steel

WEST COUNTRY:

Young Buster

RP RATINGS:

Kinondo Kwetu

POSTDATA:

Kinondo Kwetu

The Guardian:

Kinondo Kwetu

Daily Mail:

Kinondo Kwetu

D Express:

Kinondo Kwetu

The Sun:

Kinondo Kwetu

The Star:

Kinondo Kwetu

Daily Record:

Empire Steel

Telegraph:

Sail Away

Daily Mirror:

Sail Away