May 17 / 18.55 Aintree

18.55

Good

Positive Futures Liverpool Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10075.1
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
RTV
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Positive Futures Liverpool Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

33/1 (Won)

  • Win: £70.80
  • Place: £13.80

Form: 13150- D

Last run: 174 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Seven hurdle wins for Milton Harris, most notably the Silver Trophy at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy) in October; also suited by much quicker ground but we haven't seen him since a disappointing run in November (sole run for Syd Hosie) and he remains on a fairly tough mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 3

13:25 Doncaster

Pyramid Place

11st 11lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Olly Murphy

Nine hurdle wins, the latest when cruising clear in four-runner race at Kempton (2m5f, good) last month; that was only his second start for Olly Murphy but the value of the form is questionable, given the two market principals disappointed and the runner-up was returning from a long absence.

3/1

6th

4

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 3

13:25 Doncaster

Pyramid Place

11st 11lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Olly Murphy

Nine hurdle wins, the latest when cruising clear in four-runner race at Kempton (2m5f, good) last month; that was only his second start for Olly Murphy but the value of the form is questionable, given the two market principals disappointed and the runner-up was returning from a long absence.

3/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 12510- D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Useful bumper performer who won two novice hurdles last season (2m3f/2m5f); flopped badly when upped to 3m for last month's handicap debut but it would be foolish to write him off after that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

25th Jan 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 2

12:40 Cheltenham

Masaccio

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Made a winning start over fences at Newbury (2m4f, good) in November and he has run in a higher grade since, fading when 18l third of five in the Grade 1 Kauto Star at Kempton (3m) on Boxing Day; back in a handicap here but he'll need a career best to defy joint top weight.

9/1

3rd

1

25th Jan 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 2

12:40 Cheltenham

Masaccio

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Made a winning start over fences at Newbury (2m4f, good) in November and he has run in a higher grade since, fading when 18l third of five in the Grade 1 Kauto Star at Kempton (3m) on Boxing Day; back in a handicap here but he'll need a career best to defy joint top weight.

9/1

33/1

  • Place: £5.50

Form: /4BP0- D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
A very promising novice hurdler for Richard Spencer in 2022 but not much has gone to plan for new stable this season and it takes a big leap of faith to support him here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 3

16:35 Cartmel

Wonderwall

11st 6lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

in touch with leaders early, midfield after 2nd

6/1

3rd

5

9th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 3

18:05 Uttoxeter

Wonderwall

11st 6lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

Disappointing favourite when last of four in a chase last month but was placed over hurdles on first two stable starts (both in May) and will be suited by today's trip/ground; can make his presence felt.

13/2

4th

1

14th Jun 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

19:20 Newton Abbot

Wonderwall

12st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

prominent early, pressed leaders briefly 13th, dropped to last after 14th, rallied 3 out, weakened 2 out

11/4

Form: U1190- D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Has very good 11-33 career strike-rate, the last two wins gained in quite valuable Doncaster handicaps (2m/2m3f) during the winter; ended last season with two lesser efforts, though, and needs to up his game here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

18:55 Aintree

Geromino

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Has very good 11-33 career strike-rate, the last two wins gained in quite valuable Doncaster handicaps (2m/2m3f) during the winter; ended last season with two lesser efforts, though, and needs to up his game here.

20/1

4th

4

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

18:55 Aintree

Geromino

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Has very good 11-33 career strike-rate, the last two wins gained in quite valuable Doncaster handicaps (2m/2m3f) during the winter; ended last season with two lesser efforts, though, and needs to up his game here.

20/1

10th

1

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 3

17:00 Cheltenham

Geromino

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

in touch with leaders, clipped heels and stumbled 1st, outpaced before 2 out

20/1

Form: 31435-

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Took form to new level when drawing clear to score by 14l at Ludlow (2m, soft) in December, her fourth hurdling success, but has not made any further progress since; never really looked dangerous when fifth at Cheltenham (2m1f, good) last month; tries a new trip here; others have more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

14

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 2

14:40 Market Rasen

Magical Maggie

10st 13lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Alastair Ralph

Has struggled with her revised mark since running out a wide-margin winner at Ludlow in December; will need her best yet to win this.

33/1

6th

1

14th Jun 2024

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 4

18:45 Newton Abbot

Magical Maggie

12st 0lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Alastair Ralph

Has not made any further progress since wide-margin win at Ludlow (2m, soft) in December but ran well for a long way and gave good account when fifth in strong race at Aintree (2m4f, good) last month; can make her presence felt here.

11/2

5th

12

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

18:55 Aintree

Magical Maggie

10st 8lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Alastair Ralph

Took form to new level when drawing clear to score by 14l at Ludlow (2m, soft) in December, her fourth hurdling success, but has not made any further progress since; never really looked dangerous when fifth at Cheltenham (2m1f, good) last month; tries a new trip here; others have more pressing claims.

20/1

Form: 28407- D

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Returned from break with very good second in Grade 2 at Wetherby (3m, soft) in November but has not been in the same form again since and has become unreliable; needs to turn things around.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

2nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:00 Musselburgh

Red Risk

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

in touch with leaders on outer, went third 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on

20/1

3rd

4

2nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:00 Musselburgh

Red Risk

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Second in Grade 2 at Wetherby (3m, soft) in November 2023; well held in Grade events later last term and the same with cheekpieces enlisted for three handicaps in the spring; creeping down the weights and off 261 days, it will be interesting to see if there's market support but others have more pressing claims.

20/1

6th

1

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

18:55 Aintree

Red Risk

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Returned from break with very good second in Grade 2 at Wetherby (3m, soft) in November but has not been in the same form again since and has become unreliable; needs to turn things around.

20/1

Form: 44507-

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Did not build upon his initial chasing promise last season and finished well down the field at Cheltenham Festival when back over hurdles in March but wasn't beaten far when keeping-on seventh in last month's Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr (2m, soft; first-time cheekpieces), and will be suited by this move back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 78y

Class 2

13:30 Doncaster

Petit Tonnerre

10st 4lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

towards rear

9/2

1st

7

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 78y

Class 2

13:30 Doncaster

Petit Tonnerre

10st 4lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

towards rear

9/2

9

27th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

13:05 Chepstow

Petit Tonnerre

10st 7lb

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Form: /1F17- D

Last run: 125 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Made good progressive over hurdles last year, with the latest of three wins gained very stylishly on handicap debut at Exeter (2m2f, good to soft); unable to land a telling blow after racing a bit too freely in Lanzarote at Kempton (2m5f, good to soft) in January but could still have a lot more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

1st Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 19y

14:25 Leopardstown

King Alexander

11st 10lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

in touch with leaders

7/1

9th

3

1st Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 19y

14:25 Leopardstown

King Alexander

11st 10lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

in touch with leaders

7/1

1st

1

11th Jan 2025

3m 0f 0y

13:07 Fairyhouse

King Alexander

11st 12lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

travelled strongly, in touch with leaders, headway after 4 out, going best when led 2 out, ridden out and clear run-in

13/8

9/2

Form: 4171-

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Kept on well to win Kelso novice (2m2f, soft) on last month's stable debut and is now 2-4 over hurdles; has a bit more on his plate on this handicap debut but still features prominently in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

1st Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 2

14:49 Southwell

Alnilam

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Dual novice hurdle winner in 2024, the latest on stable debut at Kelso (2m2f, soft) in April; only just beaten in both starts in handicaps after returning from a break with a hood fitted in November; up another 2lb but still a major player, especially if benefiting from the subsequent wind operation.

5/1

1st

2

1st Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 2

14:49 Southwell

Alnilam

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

raced wide, made all

5/1

2nd

6

22nd Nov 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 152y

Class 3

14:40 Ascot

Alnilam

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won two novice hurdles earlier this year (2m/2m2f, soft) and returned to form in first-time hood (retained) when going close behind Williethebuilder at Wetherby (2m, good) three weeks ago; granted a better round of jumping this 5yo should have more to offer; on the shortlist.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: /4146- D

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Posted career-best performance when winning readily from the front at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) in December but weakened rather tamely there later that month, and a switch to patient tactics didn't pay dividends at Ascot in March; now has a point to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

18:55 Aintree

Get A Tonic

11st 9lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Posted career-best performance when winning readily from the front at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) in December but weakened rather tamely there later that month, and a switch to patient tactics didn't pay dividends at Ascot in March; now has a point to prove.

8/1

10th

2

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

18:55 Aintree

Get A Tonic

11st 9lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Posted career-best performance when winning readily from the front at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) in December but weakened rather tamely there later that month, and a switch to patient tactics didn't pay dividends at Ascot in March; now has a point to prove.

8/1

6th

1

24th Mar 2024

Good

2m 5f 141y

Class 3

17:05 Ascot

Get A Tonic

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Inconsistent in the last two seasons and well beaten at Newbury in December last time out, but she comfortably made all there (2m4f, good to soft) earlier that month and can make bold bid if back on song after a break.

7/1

Form: 14000- D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Made all at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) on New Year's Day and ran just as well when fourth in Scottish Champion Hurdle there (1m7f, good to soft) a month later but has suffered a worrying dip in form since (albeit in hot races).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

3rd Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Carlisle

Benson

11st 10lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

prominent, led 2nd, headed 5th, not fluent 7th, jumped right and lost ground 5 out, jumped right 4 out, soon weakened

8/1

6th

1

3rd Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Carlisle

Benson

11st 10lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

prominent, led 2nd, headed 5th, not fluent 7th, jumped right and lost ground 5 out, jumped right 4 out, soon weakened

8/1

1

1st Jan 2025

Good

2m 3f 171y

Class 2

13:45 Musselburgh

Benson

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

led, headed 8th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out

7/2

Form: /1851- D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
2-4 in bumpers in 2022-23 and had same strike-rate in novice hurdles last season, the latest win gained from the front at Taunton (2m3f, good) last month; should have some improvement to come in handicaps; high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

18:55 Aintree

Meatloaf

10st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

2-4 in bumpers in 2022-23 and had same strike-rate in novice hurdles last season, the latest win gained from the front at Taunton (2m3f, good) last month; should have some improvement to come in handicaps; high on the list.

11/4

10

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

18:55 Aintree

Meatloaf

10st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

2-4 in bumpers in 2022-23 and had same strike-rate in novice hurdles last season, the latest win gained from the front at Taunton (2m3f, good) last month; should have some improvement to come in handicaps; high on the list.

11/4

1st

1

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

16:42 Taunton

Meatloaf

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

3-3 at Wincanton (two bumpers/novice); effective on soft ground but won't mind returning to a drier surface after two rather underwhelming efforts at Cheltenham and here; strong form claims if back to anything like his best.

9/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £622.70
Straight Forecast £498.68
Tricast £12181.60
Trifecta £4821.70

Selections

POSTDATA:

Meatloaf

SPOTLIGHT:

Petit Tonnerre

Daily Mirror:

Alnilam

TOPSPEED:

Get A Tonic

D Express:

Magical Maggie

The Star:

Masaccio

WEST COUNTRY:

Meatloaf

The Times:

Meatloaf

The Sun:

Meatloaf

Daily Record:

Alnilam

RP RATINGS:

Petit Tonnerre

The Guardian:

Petit Tonnerre

Daily Mail:

Petit Tonnerre

Telegraph:

Get A Tonic