Thursday 12th April - Race 7 - Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle

[mowgli77]

:ok

[Bathtime For Rupert]

Re: Thursday 12th April - Race 7 - Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle 5.25 Aintree - 2pts win Trustan Times @ 20/1 (Hills) This field appears to have much more quality than in previous years, but horses rated around my selection's current mark typically do well, and although his sits at the bottom of the handicap, appears capable of going well in this. Typically you want to be on the side of a novice in this field, and although this horse hasn't had the typical novice hurdling season, could go well under these conditions. A point winner, Tim Easterby's runner won comfortably on his hurdling debut on soft ground at Wetherby over 2m4f from a 130-rated animal and a subsequent 145-rated chaser. He followed this up with a gallant clear 2nd behind another decent hurdler at the same track over 2f further, trying to give weight away on soft ground. That would ask some questions as to whether he'll stay the three miles today, but the ground should be a little bit better and the track is sharper around Aintree which should help. He was sent chasing, being a big horse, but it never really happened for him over the larger obstacles this season. However, he ran off a mark of 128 back over hurdles last time over 2m4f at Haydock behind the reopposing Timesawastin. He kept on well into 2nd suggesting that he will get home today and that it would actually improve his chances. He's still relatively unexposed having run just three times over hurdles and may well find some more improvement. Dougie Costello takes the ride - a jockey with a good 18% strike rate at the course and hopefully he can steer this one to a good run.