April 13 / 16.40 Aintree

16.40

Good To Soft

Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £56270
  • 1m 7f 176y
  • Class 1
  • 14 runners
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Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: F02-09 D

Last run: 89 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Wasn't in much form when coming into this race 12 months ago but he ran a stormer from the front to hold on to second place (good to soft; off 3lb lower); two poor efforts in midwinter but a return to more prominent tactics will suit back on more suitable ground; entitled to be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

2

12th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Dancing On My Own

11st 10lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

Has landed some notable handicaps at 2m, including over C&D in October 2023; creditable third when attempting to repeat that success and has had a break since; might be vulnerable to younger legs.

18/1

2

2nd Feb 2025

Yielding

2m 5f 107y

14:45 Leopardstown

Dancing On My Own

11st 11lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Has landed some big handicaps at 2m, notably at Aintree and Cheltenham in 2023; respectable third when attempting to repeat latter success in October and has had a break since; probably not quite the force of old and now steps up in trip.

14/1

2

2nd Feb 2025

Yielding

2m 5f 107y

14:45 Leopardstown

Dancing On My Own

11st 11lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Has landed some big handicaps at 2m, notably at Aintree and Cheltenham in 2023; respectable third when attempting to repeat latter success in October and has had a break since; probably not quite the force of old and now steps up in trip.

14/1

3/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 1-5711 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Front-runs; immediate improvement for switch to fences and beaten only twice in seven completions, running flat last May after a long spell of action and back from break in October; had wind surgery since and has looked an exciting prospect this spring, going round Sandown to the manner born in March (1m7f, good to soft); up further 10lb; could yet rate higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

27th Apr 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

16:15 Punchestown

Douglas Talking

10st 11lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

Front-runner who has created a big impression during a productive British campaign and a late mistake perhaps cost him when reeled in late on at Aintree (2m, good to soft); still looks well handicapped and he's a scopey 7yo who should take well to this place.

9/2

2nd

13

13th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Douglas Talking

11st 0lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Lucinda Russell

Front-runs; immediate improvement for switch to fences and beaten only twice in seven completions, running flat last May after a long spell of action and back from break in October; had wind surgery since and has looked an exciting prospect this spring, going round Sandown to the manner born in March (1m7f, good to soft); up further 10lb; could yet rate higher.

3/1

1st

1

7th Mar 2023

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 3

14:25 Sandown

Douglas Talking

11st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

jumped well, made all, went clear going easily after 3 out, canter, impressive

9/4

10/1

  • Place: £4.90

Form: /F1-5P CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 1lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Acts well here, C&D winner in late 2021 and achieved his best result when winning this race 12 months ago (good to soft); an outsider and not a contender in either subsequent start this year but this will have been the target and he is only 2lb higher than last year; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

15th Feb 2024

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 3

13:55 Sandown

The Last Day

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Evan Williams

Won twice on heavy early in career; Aintree brings out the best in him and he was below form last January on his only start at Sandown; Wetherby second last time (the race in which Xcitations and Gunsight Ridge came a cropper) was a step back in the right direction but others are preferred.

10/1

2nd

3

13th Jan 2024

Soft

1m 7f 36y

Class 2

14:15 Wetherby

The Last Day

11st 10lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

didn't jump with fluency, held up in rear, awkward jump 1st, headway and disputing third 8th, left in second 4 out

13/2

12/1

Form: -26732 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Hat-trick at about this trip last midwinter (on heavy/soft) but in the meantime has all too often looked weighted to his best off similar marks to today's; others higher up the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

18th Oct 2023

Good

1m 7f 36y

Class 3

14:25 Wetherby

Hasankey

11st 13lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: L J Morgan

in touch with leaders

7/1

5th

6

22nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 1

13:15 Ayr

Hasankey

11st 2lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: L J Morgan

Better than the bare result when fourth of 13 at Aintree (2m, good; came from rear after early mistake) last week; that followed a good second at Warwick and suggests his current mark is still workable; has an impressive record (a win, a second and a third from three runs) at Ayr and should go well.

13/2

4th

11

13th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Hasankey

11st 1lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: L J Morgan

Hat-trick at about this trip last midwinter (on heavy/soft) but in the meantime has all too often looked weighted to his best off similar marks to today's; others higher up the list.

12/1

Form: 834312 D BF

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Running well all winter and he followed a Musselburgh win (2m, good to soft) with a close call against another in-form rival at Doncaster last month; however, he hasn't been the easiest to place in handicaps over the last two seasons and current mark will take some overcoming.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

18:30 Kelso

Pay The Piper

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ann Hamilton

Won this 12 months ago on his reappearance when 4lb lower and then finished a 2l second to Primoz at Wetherby, the form of which could be reversed on these more favourable terms; consistent and should have every chance.

3/1

2nd

1

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:48 Perth

Pay The Piper

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ann Hamilton

Has consistent form figures and should give his running but this 10yo may have to settle for a supporting role off top weight; returns to fences after two runs over hurdles.

6/1

2nd

1

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:48 Perth

Pay The Piper

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ann Hamilton

Has consistent form figures and should give his running but this 10yo may have to settle for a supporting role off top weight; returns to fences after two runs over hurdles.

6/1

Form: 6-334P D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Had some smart form at about 2m last winter before finishing a remote sixth in this race; has proved a weak finisher this season, however, and adding tongue-tie and cheekpieces (discarded today) made matters worse at Cheltenham when pulled up on soft; less testing ground will suit but has plenty to prove at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

17:05 Kempton

Before Midnight

11st 12lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: S Loxton

prominent, chased clear leader after 4th

10/1

3rd

3

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

17:05 Kempton

Before Midnight

11st 12lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: S Loxton

Will be suited by today's good ground and was a very useful handicap chaser in his prime but was out of form for Fergal O'Brien when last seen last summer and it's hard to gauge how much ability he retains as a 12yo.

10/1

5th

3

6th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 3

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Before Midnight

11st 8lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Ran well in defeat in Ludlow hunter chase (2m4f, soft) in April but was well beaten when back in a handicap two months ago and is patently not the force of old; pulled up at 2023 Cheltenham Festival on only previous start in cheekpieces.

8/1

Form: 47-3F1 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Ran up to his form at the time when fifth in the 2021 running; lightly raced since but his Sandown run in January (travelling well when coming down two out) promised more and he impressed at Haydock recently (2m, soft) when coming off the bridle only between the last two; on career-high mark in a better race but he went up to a new level last time out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

14:50 Stratford

Grey Diamond

11st 1lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Dual winner over fences but last success was three years ago; his mark continues to fall but he doesn't look ready to take advantage.

12/1

8th

9

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 67y

Class 3

15:45 Haydock

Grey Diamond

10st 9lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

C&D winner whose mark continues to fall and he was an encouraging third at Bangor in November following a break; however, this inconsistent 12yo is winless since March 2023 and others arrive with more pressing claims.

25/1

Form: 13588U D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Best recent form when winning 2m2f chase for Gordon Elliott at Galway in July (soft) but was in the process of running well for these connections when unseating at the last at Thurles in February; probably has his share of weight back in Britain.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

14

30th May 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 100y

17:15 Limerick

Vado Forte

10st 8lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Ross O’Sullivan

midfield

7/2

6th

2

7th May 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 31y

19:50 Ballinrobe

Vado Forte

11st 11lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Ross O’Sullivan

towards rear, some headway 3 out, no impression from last

10/1

6th

2

7th May 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 31y

19:50 Ballinrobe

Vado Forte

11st 11lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Ross O’Sullivan

towards rear

10/1

Form: -46314 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Best on good/good to soft; smart novice chaser last season, including when third in the Grade 1 novice chase at this meeting; below par in November but subsequent wind surgery has helped, winning at Sandown (1m7f, good to soft) and was moving into contention when hampered two out at Cheltenham in March; can find extra back on less testing finish.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

24th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 199y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Third Time Lucki

10st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Had his troubles after such a promising start over fences for the Skeltons but he's back in the good books after small-field handicap wins at Bangor and Uttoxeter (both on good ground; effective on softer); returns to far classier company here and may be found wanting.

9/1

1st

2

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 2

16:20 Uttoxeter

Third Time Lucki

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Has regressed since showing such smart form for the Skeltons but looked back on good terms with himself when comfortably accounting for Fringill Dike at Bangor (2m1f, good), having led from halfway; back up 9lb but might well have turned a corner.

3/1

1st

5

17th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 2

14:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Third Time Lucki

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Very well handicapped on old form but, following a long absence, did not really fire on any of five starts for new stable last season; not beaten far when last of five in Ascot race won by Coastguard Station in March and another 5lb lower here but still needs to up his game.

13/2

Form: 9F-166 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Successful in two of his five completions in handicap chases, over 2m1f (on good to yielding and good); well held last July and was entitled to need the run at Limerick 18 days ago but others have clearly achieved more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

19th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Worcester

Defan

11st 13lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Alexandra Dunn

held up in rear, slow jump and detached 6th, pulled up before 7th

16/1

4th

1

7th Oct 2023

Good

2m 1f 165y

Class 3

14:50 Fontwell

Defan

11st 12lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Alexandra Dunn

Romped home in a Ballinrobe handicap in May 2022 (for Henry De Bromhead) but unplaced in five subsequent starts, the latest when tried in cheekpieces in August; bought last month for £10,000 and possibly best watched.

12/1

Form: 115190 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Three chase wins at up to 2m2f in the second half of 2022 (good to yielding and good ground); has won on soft over hurdles but jumping technique deserted him on that surface when finishing remote back over fences at Cheltenham in March; needs to show the form all wrong just four weeks later.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

15th Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

18:50 Tramore

Dads Lad

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Dual-purpose but been struggling for form in both codes; well-beaten on the Flat at Galway last month; same story on last run over hurdles at Bellewstown; last win came in a Cheltenham handicap chase in 2022 off 135; thrown in off 117 on that form but impossible to fancy on recent exploits.

16/1

16th

17

(13)

29th Jul 2024

Soft

2m 0f 179y

19:10 Galway

Dads Lad

11st 0lb

J: Miss R Dudfield

T: W P Mullins

Five wins over jumps, much more effective over fences (rated 137) than hurdles (117); has run only three times on the Flat; this rider aboard when a 28-1 winner of a 1m4f maiden at the 2022 festival; soundly beaten behind Enniskerry at Listowel; in rear over hurdles on latest.

33/1

14th

15

6th Jul 2024

Good

2m 1f 40y

17:58 Bellewstown

Dads Lad

10st 10lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

held up in midfield, soon weakened

16/1

Form: -11533 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Won first five chases at distances ranging from 2m to 2m4f but has made no further progress in handicaps this year and, as he hasn't quite got his jumping taped, he's likely to find this test sharper than ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

17th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 3

18:30 Uttoxeter

Mackenberg

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Multiple winner at up to 2m5f but none since 2022 and the last year or so hasn't gone well; this belated step up to 3m (having run over 2m last time) is perhaps more in hope than expectation.

20/1

1

17th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 3

18:30 Uttoxeter

Mackenberg

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Multiple winner at up to 2m5f but none since 2022 and the last year or so hasn't gone well; this belated step up to 3m (having run over 2m last time) is perhaps more in hope than expectation.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1-P743 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 5lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 139

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

9

13th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Global Citizen

11st 5lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

6/1

3rd

19

15th Mar 2023

Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:50 Cheltenham

Global Citizen

10st 12lb

J: Luca Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Prominent racer who saw off Andy Dufresne to win this 12 months ago (heavy) off 3lb lower mark; nowhere near that form in three starts since but last month's run in the Kingwell should have sharpened him up and this has presumably been the plan all along; no surprise if he is back to his best.

16/1

4th

4

18th Feb 2023

Good

1m 7f 50y

Class 1

15:12 Wincanton

Global Citizen

11st 4lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Ben Pauling

pressed leader, lost second after 3 out, soon ridden, outpaced before 2 out, weakened approaching last

25/1

Form: F-PPF3 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Well treated on best form, 15lb lower than in a Listed handicap at Ayr last April (2m, good to soft) when looking sure to go close until coming down two out; non-completer in next three starts but had wind surgery and last week's third at Ascot (2m1f, good to soft) was promising; can figure.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

3

13th Nov 2023

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

14:25 Kempton

Hatcher

11st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Prolific winner (mostly at around 2m on good ground) and fine servant to connections over the years; not as good as he was and didn't run very well on latest outing in September, but should be fine over today's trip and his spring form puts him in the mix.

4/1

4th

4

18th Sep 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Worcester

Hatcher

10st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

held up in rear, headway before 4 out, outpaced before 3 out, no impression from 2 out

7/1

Non-runners

Global Citizen

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £59.00
Straight Forecast £43.61
Tricast £542.30
Trifecta £524.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Douglas Talking

RP Ratings:

Third Time Lucki

The Sun:

Pay The Piper

The Guardian:

Grey Diamond

TOPSPEED:

Hasankey

D Express:

Dancing On My Own

WEST COUNTRY:

Global Citizen

The Star:

The Last Day

The Times:

Douglas Talking

Daily Mirror:

Douglas Talking

Daily Record:

Pay The Piper

POSTDATA:

Third Time Lucki

Telegraph:

Third Time Lucki

Daily Mail:

Grey Diamond