Saturday 14th April - Race 6 - John Smith's Conditional Jockeys' Hurdle

[mowgli77]

:ok

[Bathtime For Rupert]

Re: Saturday 14th April - Race 6 - John Smith's Conditional Jockeys' Hurdle 5.05 Aintree - 2pts win Dee Ee Williams @ 12/1 (Bet365) It doesn't get any easier with this race hot on the heels of the Grand National, but I'm siding with the 2010 winner of this race who shaped like he was back to form with a good run in the County Hurdle last time. Nick Gifford's charge won by 6l two years ago off just 1lb lower than today and his recent effort at Cheltenham suggests that he's back in a similar vein of form, especially as I think he's better on a flatter, sharper track than the Gloucestershire venue. This is a horse who has struggled for consistency which is obviously a concern going into today's race, but he has bags of ability and is at least down to a fair mark now. His most recent two wins have come with headgear applied (blinkers once, visor once) and the blinkers are unsurprisingly retained today having been reapplied for the County Hurdle last time. He wore these to victory when winning this race before and it seems he probably is best with them applied. He has had excuses on quite a few of his runs since his latest win in November 2010 including falling, jumping left at Kempton, no headgear/high mark in 2011 County and an absence to overcome on his return this season. However, with the blinkers back on and fitness on his side last time, he ran such a good race. Trying to dominate such a large, competitive field is extremely difficult so it was no real surprise to see him back out of matters late in the day at Cheltenham, with the closers dominating after the last. He ran so well for a very long way and if in the same form today, he'll go very close at a track which suits him better. He finished 6th of 26 in the County in the end. The very capable Adam Wedge takes the ride and he won this race having had a similar prep in 2010 when he was 3rd in the County. He goes well on good ground so everything looks set for a good run so long as he has his "good day" head screwed on!