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

10th

3

16th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 208y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Captain Morgs

11st 6lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Nicky Henderson

midfield, lost position 9th, outpaced after 2 out, weakened run-in

25/1

10th

3

16th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 208y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Captain Morgs

11st 6lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Nicky Henderson

Good ground suits but he's not the easiest to predict at the best of times and has run badly in both races since his chase win at Aintree (3m1f, good) in May; latest start, following a second wind operation, was at this track three weeks ago when he showed little; back hurdling today, having had two hurdle races last term (pulled up each time); hard to trust.

25/1

9

26th Oct 2024

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Cheltenham

Captain Morgs

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Good ground is important but he's not the easiest to predict at the best of times and ran another poor race at Worcester in June after springing back to life at Aintree (3m1f, good); has had further wind surgery.

20/1

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

7th

10

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Young Buster

11st 3lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

raced wide, towards rear

25/1

7th

10

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Young Buster

11st 3lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

raced wide, towards rear

25/1

9

27th Dec 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:08 Kempton

Young Buster

11st 11lb

T: Fergal O’Brien

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

5

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 2

14:35 Market Rasen

Empire Steel

11st 3lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

in touch with leaders, weakened after 12th, pulled up after 2 out

7/1

5

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 2

14:35 Market Rasen

Empire Steel

11st 3lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Not so bright since winning at Kelso (extended 2m5f; stays at least 3m) last February but his only recent run was no disgrace (behind Cloudy Glen at Haydock) and the stable's Seeyouatmidnight had his prep race in the same event before winning this contest in 2021.

7/1

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

7th

7

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 2

14:05 Doncaster

Sail Away

11st 1lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

Fair sixth in this last year (good to soft) before good fourth of 18 over C&D (good) in January and he's well handicapped on that form; things haven't gone to plan subsequently but he was in with a chance when falling four out at Newbury last month, which was encouraging; could play a leading role.

9/1

7th

7

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 2

14:05 Doncaster

Sail Away

11st 1lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

Fair sixth in this last year (good to soft) before good fourth of 18 over C&D (good) in January and he's well handicapped on that form; things haven't gone to plan subsequently but he was in with a chance when falling four out at Newbury last month, which was encouraging; could play a leading role.

9/1

2

7th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 187y

Class 3

15:27 Newbury

Sail Away

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

held up in last, some headway then fell 4 out

9/1

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

4th

12

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Erne River

11st 2lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Nick Kent

midfield

16/1

4th

12

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Erne River

11st 2lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Nick Kent

midfield

16/1

4th

2

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

14:47 Doncaster

Erne River

11st 4lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Nick Kent

took keen hold, led narrowly, headed but raced in second before 4th, weakened approaching last

6/1

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