14:30 Aintree

Saturday 13 April 2024

Premier Race Day Text
All13:2013:5514:3015:0516:0017:0017:35

William Hill Handicap Chase (Registered As The Freebooter Handicap Chase) (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • 5YO plus  |   Class 1  |   3m 210y  |   Good to Soft (Soft in places)  |   13 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 14:30  |   Winning time: 6m 34.81s
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1
Horse silk
Fugitift30
Age: 9|  Weight: 12-0| J: G Sheehan| T: R Hobson| OR:  154
33/1
Finally landed a big pot in December Gold Cup at Cheltenham and fared as well as could be expected when third in 2m Grade 1 there at the end of January. Turned in a rare poor effort at that venue up in grade in the Ryanair last time and now tries this sort of trip for the first time.
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2
Horse silk
Sam Brownt,v20
Age: 12|  Weight: 12-0| J: Freddie Gingell(5)| T: A J Honeyball| OR:  154| CD
20/1
Landed Veterans' Series Final at Warwick (24f) in January and resumed winning ways back in that company teaming up with this promising conditional for the first time at Ascot (23.8f, good to soft) just under 3 weeks ago. 3 lb higher and not without each-way hope.
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3
Horse silk
Twig32
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-7| J: Beau Morgan(5)| T: B Pauling| OR:  147
8/1
Enhanced his good strike in the Summer Cup at Uttoxeter (26f) in July and acquitted himself tremendously well after 3 months off when second of 21 in handicap at Cheltenham (25f, heavy) last month, that just about a career best. 4 lb higher but yard have already tasted success here this week.
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4
Horse silk
Kinondo Kwetut168
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-4| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR:  144| CD
25/1
Most progressive over fences, making it 6 wins from 8 starts when seeing off another improver (pair well clear) over C&D last May. Denied a clear run at a crucial stage when third in the 16-runner Uttoxeter handicap (3¼m, good) in July but well held at Cheltenham 4 months later. Off since.
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Timeform
5
Horse silk
Crebilly30
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-3| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR:  143
9/2
Progressive novice hurdler who was shaping up promisingly prior to falling on return/chase debut at Cheltenham in November. Off the mark in 3-runner Exeter novice in February and did well to get second in valuable handicap at former track (20.6f, soft) last time. One to consider upped in trip.
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Timeform
6
Horse silk
Kilbeg Kingt32
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR:  140
9/2
Useful novice hurdler at up to 3m last season and has taken well to chasing this term, backing up his improved third to Il Est Francais in Kauto Star at Kempton over Christmas when narrowly denied by Henry's Friend in the Reynoldstown at Ascot. Not so good at Cheltenham last month, however.
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7
Horse silk
Falco Blitz34
Age: 10|  Weight: 10-13| J: C P McNamara| T: E McNamara| OR:  139
25/1
Off the mark for current yard when winning 13-runner handicap chase at Thurles in January and made light work of a 7 lb rise when following up at Limerick (22.6f, heavy) last month. 11 lb higher here though. and the likelihood is this Irish raider will find a few too strong.
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8
Horse silk
Erne Riverp77
Age: 9|  Weight: 10-11| J: Charlie Hammond| T: N Kent| OR:  137
20/1
Returned to form when landing a 6-runner handicap chase in first-time cheekpieces at Doncaster (3m) in December and backed that up with good fifth in Premier Handicap over same C&D 11 weeks ago. Place claims probably the best he can hope for.
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9
Horse silk
The King Of Ryhope56
Age: 8|  Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR:  137
7/2
Low-mileage 8-y-o who made a winning return/handicap chase debut at Chepstow in October, pulling clear with a resilient rival. Failed to see things out on his next 2 starts but back on song when fourth in Grade 2 at Ascot (23.8f, good to soft) since, going strongly before mistake last. Big chance.
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10
Horse silk
Forward Plant49
Age: 8|  Weight: 10-11| J: Ben Godfrey(3)| T: A J Honeyball| OR:  137
13/2
Progressive chaser who has bagged 3m handicaps at Doncaster and Kempton this season. Only narrowly denied in Great Yorkshire inbetween and remains of interest up another 4 lb. 1 of 3 for this yard.
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11
Horse silk
Cruz Controlt28
Age: 7|  Weight: 10-10| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR:  136
9/1
Fairly useful bumper/hurdles winner who opened his account over fences at Newcastle (20f) in November. Remained in form from higher marks since and resumed winning ways back in a lesser handicap returned to Newcastle (23.4f, soft) 4 weeks ago. 6 lb higher but conditions hold no fears.
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12
Horse silk
Now Where Or Whenp,t27
Age: 9|  Weight: 10-6| J: J J Slevin| T: S R B Crawford| OR:  132
50/1
Fairly useful chaser on balance but has beaten only one other finisher in 3 starts this season. Hard to see him featuring.
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Timeform
13
Horse silk
Demnat30
Age: 7|  Weight: 10-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR:  130
14/1
Brother to high-class chaser Sceau Royal who reached a fairly useful level over fences in France. Made light of a 32-month absence on his yard debut when easily landing 5-runner handicap chase at Ludlow (20f, soft) in February but well held both subsequent starts. Mark eases 2 lb.
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Forecasts

The King Of Ryhope (7/2), Kilbeg King (9/2), Crebilly (9/2), Forward Plan (13/2), Twig (8/1), Cruz Control (9/1), Demnat (14/1), Sam Brown (20/1), Erne River (20/1), Kinondo Kwetu (25/1), Falco Blitz (25/1), Fugitif (33/1), Now Where Or When (50/1)

Verdict

An ultra-competitive staying contest on paper in which the suggestion is THE KING OF RYHOPE, who travelled sweetly into contention before making a chance-ending blunder in an Ascot Grade 2 a couple of months ago and Dan Skelton's low-mileage 8-y-o should be bang there if translating that form back into handicap company. Forward Plan has taken his form up a notch this term, so he can provide most resistance, with Crebilly and Twig another couple fancied to feature.

Previous Winners

2023
Midnight River
Weight: 11-7  |Age: 8
15/2

Prize Money

1st: £56,270.002nd: £21,200.003rd: £10,610.004th: £5,300.005th: £2,660.006th: £1,330.007th: £660.008th: £340.00

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