November 05 / 14.01 Aintree

14.01

Good To Soft

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 3m 0f 149y
  • Class 2
  • 8 runners
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Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £9.00
  • Place: £3.30

Form: 3F249- D

Last run: 210 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Well beaten over C&D when last seen in April and has had wind surgery for a fourth time since; he's superior over fences but has a lower mark over hurdles and ran well when third on his reappearance in this race last year (good to soft; best form is on soft/heavy); could have a part to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 2

14:35 Market Rasen

Remastered

11st 5lb

J: David Noonan

T: David Pipe

led narrowly or disputed lead, prominent when headed 3rd, slow jump and lost position 4th, soon struggling, detached from 6th, soon pulled up

9/1

3

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 2

14:35 Market Rasen

Remastered

11st 5lb

J: David Noonan

T: David Pipe

2023 and 2024 did not go at all well until he won by a short head at Wincanton (extended 3m2f) in October last year; the fences have got in the way on both starts since and he's not the percentage call, but his old peak chase form was smart; blinkered first time.

9/1

3/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: /1411- D

Last run: 211 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Three wins (2m3f-3m1f, good-soft) from his four hurdle starts; further improvement is needed on this reappearance and he's set to go chasing sooner rather than later, but he could have unfinished business in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

8th Jul 2025

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 4

19:00 Uttoxeter

Milan Bridge

11st 8lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Sarah Humphrey

Six wins divided between hurdles and fences; on a realistic mark but arrives here in a miserable run of form.

25/1

9

12th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

18:10 Worcester

Milan Bridge

11st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Sarah Humphrey

Six wins divided between hurdles and fences; on a realistic mark but has failed to complete his last three races.

25/1

Form: 14235- D

Last run: 217 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
His best form has come over fences (ran well until stamina evaporated in Scottish National last time out in April); however, he was a two-time hurdle winner in the 2020-21 season and may have improved since he last ran in this sphere; goes well fresh and he's a possible contender on reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 2

13:50 Aintree

Ashtown Lad

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: David O’Meara

Following a 70-day break he exploited a much-reduced mark at Kelso (3m2f, good) three weeks ago on his fourth start for this yard; versatile ground-wise; from out of the handicap today he's running off 5lb higher than last time, in a much hotter race, but he remains very well treated on old form.

9/1

7th

10

27th Jul 2025

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 2

15:07 Uttoxeter

Ashtown Lad

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: David O’Meara

Lost his way for the Skeltons and troubles have continued for his new yard; did endure a slipping saddle here last time but now into the twilight of his career.

50/1

15

29th Jun 2025

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 2

14:00 Uttoxeter

Ashtown Lad

10st 2lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: David O’Meara

Lost his way for the Skeltons and troubles continued when tailed off at Stratford last month; limited appeal from 9lb out of the weights.

33/1

Form: 2-1111

Last run: 112 days

W: 10st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won four handicaps in a row between April and July (2m6f/2m7f, good/good to soft; unproven on soft); he's 10lb higher than at Cartmel last time and faces classier opposition here, but this 5yo had about 10l to spare and could be in the mix if continuing his progressive form after a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

15:40 Hexham

Johnsons Blue

11st 10lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

On the face of it work on to reverse recent C&D form with Perseus Way and Sunset Hill despite a swing in the weights, but course record prior to that read four wins and (off 8lb higher) a short head second in this race last year ahead of two reopposing rivals; respected.

11/1

3rd

7

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

17:42 Hexham

Johnsons Blue

11st 6lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Has won eight of his 21 races over hurdles; doesn't seem to be the force of old as was pulled up at Haydock last time having finished last of eight on previous hurdle run.

20/1

6

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 50y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Johnsons Blue

10st 13lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Tailed off on his final hurdle start in November and three subsequent chase runs leave him with further questions to answer; potentially on a useful mark if he can get back on track, but there are clearly risks attached.

25/1

Form: 32222-

Last run: 235 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Progressive novice chaser last season, finishing second in the Ultima Handicap at the Cheltenham Festival (3m1f, good to soft) in March; has had wind op since; 2-3 over hurdles in early 2021 (including a win on soft) and this 6yo is one to be interested back over hurdles on his reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

20

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Gericault Roque

10st 12lb

J: Mr B Lawless

T: David Pipe

10yo who has been lightly raced, with mixed results, since finishing second in the 2022 Ultima here (3m1f, good to soft); however, he returned to form when second at Ascot (3m, good to soft) last month in first-time cheekpieces (retained) and can be in the mix if backing up that effort.

20/1

2nd

11

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Gericault Roque

10st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Very lightly raced since 2022; soundly beaten in last two appearances, taking chase record to 0-9, and needs to prove he retains peak ability; 4lb out of weights; cheekpieces added.

14/1

8th

3

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 3

16:05 Windsor

Gericault Roque

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: David Pipe

Ran pretty well when third of six on this card last year (3m, soft) after mammoth absence; this 10yo was well beaten at the Cheltenham Festival on sole run since but is not ruled out now 5lb lower than 12 months ago.

7/1

Form: 22P2P- D

Last run: 210 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in the Grand National here last time out in April and he's best known for his chasing exploits around Sandown; however, he went close on his reappearance in this race last year (good to soft) on a rare hurdles start and is respected in view of that performance; also effective on soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

28th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:48 Newton Abbot

Deise Aba

12st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Alexandra Dunn

Nearly made a successful stable debut at Wincanton (3m2f, good) in October, after a layoff; twice disappointed afterwards but ran okay in a Class 2 at Ascot last time; won't be overly inconvenienced should conditions ease.

7/2

4th

1

28th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:48 Newton Abbot

Deise Aba

12st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Alexandra Dunn

Nearly made a successful stable debut at Wincanton (3m2f, good) in October, after a layoff; twice disappointed afterwards but ran okay in a Class 2 at Ascot last time; won't be overly inconvenienced should conditions ease.

7/2

4th

5

30th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Deise Aba

10st 11lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Alexandra Dunn

Went very close off today's mark on stable debut at Wincanton (3m2f, good) in October, after a layoff, but was well below that form on both subsequent outings and needs to have been refreshed by a three-month break.

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: 5P3PP- D

Last run: 206 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

12th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 7f 208y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Lisnagar Oscar

11st 12lb

J: Mr R James

T: Rebecca Curtis

led, headed and prominent from 1st, dropped to midfield 5th, ridden and brief headway before 2 out (usual 3 out), weakened before last (usual 2 out)

12/1

1

5th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 2

14:01 Aintree

Lisnagar Oscar

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Rebecca Curtis

Form: 4/151- D

Last run: 328 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
This is his first run of the year but he reappears with his stable among the winners and he was progressive in staying handicap hurdles towards the end of last year, with wins at Wetherby (3m, good) and Carlisle (3m1f, soft); lightly raced for his age and could have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

1st Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:07 Sandown

Flight Deck

11st 1lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Deborah Cole

Has never tried this sort of trip with heavy ground but it could help; however, pulled up in this race in 2023 on his only visit to Sandown, went off the boil last January-May and although there's been a partial revival since, he needs better to take this warm race; 5lb claimer enlisted.

20/1

5

1st Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:07 Sandown

Flight Deck

11st 1lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Deborah Cole

Has never tried this sort of trip with heavy ground but it could help; however, pulled up in this race in 2023 on his only visit to Sandown, went off the boil last January-May and although there's been a partial revival since, he needs better to take this warm race; 5lb claimer enlisted.

20/1

4th

4

29th Nov 2024

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 1

15:05 Newbury

Flight Deck

11st 2lb

J: Chris Ward

T: Deborah Cole

Gradually finding his form this term; now 0-7 for current yard and appears to have the worst chance at the weights in this field but could perform well, having finished 2l third in this race last year.

25/1

Non-runners

Lisnagar Oscar

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £31.60
Straight Forecast £30.50
Tricast £156.34
Trifecta £174.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Milan Bridge

Telegraph:

Gericault Roque

TOPSPEED:

Flight Deck

WEST COUNTRY:

Remastered

Daily Mirror:

Johnson's Blue

The Times:

Ashtown Lad

RP Ratings:

Lisnagar Oscar

The Sun:

Deise Aba

POSTDATA:

Milan Bridge

Daily Record:

Milan Bridge

The Guardian:

Gericault Roque

Daily Mail:

Gericault Roque

The Star:

Flight Deck

D Express:

Remastered