By Ryan Skidmore
Aintree
13:30 - Sounds Russian 5/1 1pt win
Ruth Jefferson's gelding has worked his way up from an opening mark of 111 over fences up to a mark of 157 in a short space of time. He is a horse that travels very strongly throughout his races which should stand him in good stead today, with a likely strong pace to be set by Ahoy Senor and Dashel Drahser.
SOUNDS RUSSIAN is coming into this race off a career best in the Edinburgh Gin Chase at Kelso, he asserted his presence late on there after tanking through the race. This horse is a on an upwards curve and it would not shock me at all if he kept on improving, possibly even to the highest level.
6 Sounds Russian
Age 7: Weight: 11-4 Jockey: Callum Bewley Trainer: Ruth Jefferson
Form: 1112-1
Aintree
14:05 - Cloth Cap 33/1 0.5pt ew
Although Cloth Cap career has not gone the way it looked like it could, I still have faith that this son of Beneficial has the ability to feature in this year's renewal of the Becher Chase. Jonjo O'Neill's was a red hot favourite for the 2021 Grand National (who cost me a few quid that day!) and he did seem to take to the Aintree fences before he made a noise and was swiftly pulled up by Tom Scudamore. He was given a wind surgery following that and went onto perform no better than mediocre throughout last season, ending with another PU in the Grand National, where he reportedly bled that day.However, I have some optimism for today as CLOTH CAP generally improves for a run and there was some promise in his latest effort at Aintree. The handicapper has dropped him a further 4lb, down to a mark of 140 so he is a very well handicapped horse now.
The return to the National fences will suit as he seems to jump them really well and I will take a chance at odds of around 33/1.
9 Cloth Cap
Age: 10 Weight: 11-7 Jockey: Richie McLernon Trainer: Jonjo O'Neill
Form: 6R3P-5
Chepstow
14:12 - Iron Bridge 2/1 2pt win
Jonjo O'Neill looks to have a horse on the rise with IRON BRIDGE who took his unbeaten record 4 when winning on his chase bow at Carlisle on his seasonal return.
He beat Harper's Brook that day and he has gone onto advertise that form well. It was less the substance that was impressive that day, but the style. He jumped very well and powered clear up the hill at the northern venue.
He looks a proper Trevor Hemmings Chaser and I think he can keep up his progress to make it 5 unbeaten, and he would be my NAP across the meetings today.
1 Iron Bridge
Age: 6 Weight: 11-12 Jockey: Jonjo O'Neill Jr Trainer: Jonjo O'Neill
Form: 1/11-1
Chepstow
14:47 - Libberty Hunter 2/1 1pt win
Evan Williams' horse made a very promising start at the venue on his hurdling debut and would have won but for a late lapse in the mind. Being defeated there was no disgrace as the more experienced American Sniper who got the better of him that day has since gone onto win again.
The fact that LIBBERTY HUNTER could only manage 2nd last time is actually a positive for his chances today as he doesn't have the 7lb penalty that favourite Knowsley Road does, with this in mind I think he can build on that last run and he can start to repay his connections.
6 Libberty Hunter
Age: 6 Weight: 11-0 Jockey: Adam Wedge Trainer: Evan Williams
Form: 1/16-2
Aintree
15:15 - Sizing Pottsie 10/1 0.5pt ew
Although this is a very competitive affair at Aintree, not many horses will be as well treated as SIZING POTTSIE. The handicapper has been very generous to drop him 10lb for being beaten by the smart Tahmuras, who is likely to go on and win the Challow Hurdle.
This horse has been rated over 150 over fences when with Jessica Harrington and he won a G2 in just March this year, so the fact that he can race off a mark of 133 over hurdles today seems a gift and odds of around 10/1 seem massively overpriced.
5 Sizing Pottsie
Age: 8 Weight: 11-3 Jockey: Fergus Gillard Trainer: David Pipe
Form: 210-12
Comments