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
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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

1

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

14:17 Chepstow

Pyramid Place

11st 13lb

J: James Best

T: Harriet Dickin

Nine-time hurdle winner who was useful in his prime and is versatile regarding ground; out of form since rejoining Harriet Dickin this season, though, and has left it late in the day to launch his chasing career; hood/cheekpieces removed; first-time blinkers tried.

33/1

8th

2

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

14:02 Chepstow

Pyramid Place

11st 12lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Harriet Dickin

Nine hurdle wins (various ground), including valuable C&D race in 2023; safely held on both starts since rejoining Harriet Dicken, though, and has much more to prove than some of these; cheekpieces added to usual hood.

33/1

1

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 149y

Class 3

12:40 Aintree

Pyramid Place

12st 0lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Harriet Dickin

Nine-time hurdle winner (including here for Harriet Dickin) who is below his last winning mark but struggled in the first half of this year for Olly Murphy; went through the sales ring for £13,500 in May and has plenty to prove, including stamina, on his first start since rejoining this trainer.

25/1

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

1st

1

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Masaccio

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Flat-bred gelding who hasn't convinced on two previous attempts at 3m, the latest a Grade 1 novice at Kempton in December; however, he rallied for third at Cheltenham (nearly 2m5f, soft) in January and kept on well when filling the same position in the Plate at the Festival (extended 2m4f, good to soft); worth another go at this trip and could have a part to play.

3/1

1st

1

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Masaccio

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

in touch with leaders

3/1

3rd

9

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Masaccio

11st 1lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Found immediate improvement for the switch to fences when winning on chase debut at Newbury (2m4f, good) in November; useful, persevering efforts in two good 2m4f races since, on that track and when third to Jagwar in a well-contested C&D handicap, and a truly run race kept to this trip will suit; has win possibilities if fitting cheekpieces brisks him up.

7/1

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

1st

13

1st May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 160y

16:15 Punchestown

Wonderwall

12st 0lb

J: Mr R James

T: S Curling

Has run only three times since beating Its On The Line at Cheltenham last season; winner of points at Dromahane in November and 19 days ago, that recent display providing reassurance after a disappointingly lifeless Cheltenham defence; leading contender for the stable that has dominated the point-to-point scene this season.

3/1

7th

23

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

16:40 Cheltenham

Wonderwall

12st 0lb

J: Mr R James

T: S Curling

4-4 since bought for £33,000 in July 2024 and he emerged from midfield to win this last year (good to soft; effective on softer), fending off the late charge of Its On The Line; has undergone a similar preparation, arriving here fresh after winning a point in early November; there have been back-to-back winners of this race and a bold defence looks on the cards.

11/2

1st

23

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

16:40 Cheltenham

Wonderwall

12st 0lb

J: Mr R James

T: S Curling

Only three runs over regulation fences but he was third in a Grade 2 in 2022 and fourth in a good novice handicap here in late 2023; signed off for the Bowen yard last summer with respectable runs over hurdles and hasn't been overly pressed to win two small-field points in Ireland for this stable; positive jockey booking and brings each-way hopes provided a 131-day break doesn't come back to bite him.

25/1

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

1st

1

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 3

15:30 Catterick

Geromino

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

10yo who returned from long absence with a pretty encouraging fourth in 0-135 at Haydock in December; he's well treated on his old form and could be in the mix now dropping into a 0-125; wins have come on good/good to soft.

6/1

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

3

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Aintree

Magical Maggie

11st 11lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Very closely matched with Masked Dance on their two Ludlow encounters in February, over 2m5f (soft) and 3m (good to soft); she's fine after a break and should have a part to play.

7/1

3rd

3

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 3

14:42 Ludlow

Magical Maggie

11st 9lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Three-time course winner, most recently when fending off Masked Dance over 2m5f (soft) three weeks ago; unraced beyond that trip but remains well handicapped on older form; will be a tough nut to crack if her stamina holds out.

3/1

1st

6

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

15:33 Ludlow

Magical Maggie

11st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Dual 2m course winner in 2023 (both times on soft); returned from long absence with quite encouraging run over that trip here (good to soft) two months ago and has slipped to a good mark but her stamina for 2m5f must be taken on trust.

10/1

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

8th

1

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Red Risk

12st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Paul Nicholls

Retains lots of ability despite his advancing years and won a Pertemps qualifier at Musselburgh in February (3m, good to soft); Uttoxeter was disappointing in a race he won the previous year, but he's shown bouncebackability in the past.

20/1

8th

2

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Red Risk

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Successful in this race last year (2-3 at Uttoxeter overall) and Pertemps qualifier at Musselburgh latest start, both on good to soft ground; retains plenty of ability despite his advancing years and can't be dismissed.

11/1

1st

3

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:40 Musselburgh

Red Risk

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Veteran who won in a big field at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good to soft; 1lb higher today) last March; tailed off both starts since (Freddie Keighley on board last time) but with nearly eight months off in between and his trainer (also runs Sonigino) is always one to note here.

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

13th

17

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

16:50 Punchestown

Petit Tonnerre

11st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Out of form since his 16-1 win in this race last year; possibly back on a competitive mark now, only 3lb higher than 12 months ago; however, needs to step up on the form of his Aintree run.

10/1

7th

10

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Petit Tonnerre

10st 12lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Soundly beaten ninth in this 12 months ago (good to soft) and tailed off on his last three starts; however, the return to better ground can help and he won a big-field handicap at Punchestown (2m, yielding) last May; on a handy mark judged on that Irish form and he's not discounted.

20/1

5th

2

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 2

15:40 Chepstow

Petit Tonnerre

11st 8lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Beat 22 rivals to win at Punchestown festival (2m, yielding) last May but looked out of sorts on both appearances since returning from a break in November and needs to turn a corner.

10/1

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

6th

5

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 80y

17:25 Punchestown

King Alexander

11st 2lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Lightly-raced novice landed odds in 2m4f Gowran beginners' in February and fine effort for one so inexperienced when fourth of 18 in 2m5f Jack Richards Novices' Handicap at Cheltenham on much better ground; more scope for improvement than most of these.

7/2

4th

6

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

King Alexander

11st 4lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Came up well short in the 2m5f handicap hurdle at this meeting last year but may fare better in this return visit as he's still unexposed over fences and has a solid record since switched to this sphere; comfortably justified favouritism at Gowran Park (2m3f) most recently, producing a career-best RPR; peaking at the right time.

28/1

3rd

6

22nd Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

14:55 Gowran Park

King Alexander

11st 12lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

One of three for stable; 4-13 over hurdles and rated 136; a close third in a Sandown handicap hurdle in April (2m4f, good) on his final start last season; went close when stable's second string on chasing debut at Naas, with stablemate Funiculi Funicula 2l away in third; definite chance again despite Townend's vote of confidence in the other direction.

100/30

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

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

12:45 Aintree

Alnilam

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Front-runner who made it 2-2 over fences when winning at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) in October; however, his limitations seem to have been exposed since and he finished well adrift of No Questions Asked and Be Aware at Windsor last time; has had wind surgery but still hard to recommend.

33/1

3rd

1

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 37y

Class 1

13:50 Windsor

Alnilam

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Front-runner who made it 2-2 over fences when winning at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) in October; won on soft ground over hurdles; carries a 3lb penalty today and his progress has stalled on his last two starts, but he's made mistakes each time and could make a bold bid if cutting out the blunders.

9/1

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

7th

1

25th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

15:20 Kelso

Benson

12st 1lb

J: William Maggs

T: Sandy Thomson

Last of his six wins over hurdles was off a 25lb higher mark at Musselburgh in January 2024 (2m4f, soft); mainly disappointing since then, including when tried over fences; best watched for now.

14/1

9

14th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

18:28 Hexham

Benson

10st 12lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Sandy Thomson

One-time very useful handicapper; nothing like as good these days and has finished last on last two starts, latest a four-runner C&D handicap last month; very well handicapped (dropped a further 4lb for his run last time so now 22lb below last winning mark); plenty to prove at present.

14/1

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

6

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Ffos Las

Meatloaf

11st 11lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Placed off 1lb lower at Wincanton (2m4f, soft) in January and is also suited by faster ground but weakened tamely on latest outing and has basically become a shade disappointing; sports first-time cheekpieces.

12/1

6th

2

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 181y

Class 4

16:20 Doncaster

Meatloaf

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Won twice in his novice season (2m/2m3f, good to soft/good); yet to win a handicap but fair third at Wincanton last time (2m4f, soft); suited by drier ground.

4/1

3rd

2

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

14:27 Wincanton

Meatloaf

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Not in top form in two handicaps (at about 2m) since returning from lengthy absence and wind surgery; this could be more his trip but he has questions to answer now.

10/1

+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