Timeform think No Walkover (15:25) is capable of much more.
Timeform’s Boxing Day Aintree tips
12:00 – Sweet Magic
12:30 – Prairie Wolf
13:05 – Mydaddypaddy
13:40 – Indeevar Bleu
14:15 – Blenkinsop
14:50 – Chuggy
15:25 – No Walkover
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Runner-up from a 1 lb lower mark in this race 12 months ago, Timeform top-rated SWEET MAGIC is fully expected to strip fitter for her reappearance run at Warwick 37 days ago and, with cheekpieces now enlisted, she could well provide a spot of value in her bid to belatedly break her maiden tag over hurdles. Just 1¾ lengths separated Analiese and Hard Dealt when the pair finished 1-2 on very testing ground at Uttoxeter 17 days ago and they head up the dangers ahead of progressive top weight Broomfield Aderra who confirmed her earlier promise when winning at Lingfield last month.
A competitive race containing plenty of in-form sorts with PRAIRIE WOLF narrowly selected to come out on top for a Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith yard that currently has the Timeform ‘Hot Trainer’ flag. He posted a solid effort when chasing home a less-exposed pair at Newbury on his most recent outing four weeks ago, and he’s very much lurking on a handy mark, just 1 lb higher than when a four-length winner last January. Similar comments apply to Heltenham who rates next best following a good effort behind the well-ridden Twinjets at Newbury. Inedit Star is respected, as is Josh The Boss. The last-named has had an interesting chasing career so far, involved in a match-race and a walkover prior to winning well at Doncaster last month, but shouldn’t be underestimated from the front.
Timeform ‘Large P’ horse MYDADDYPADDY once again created a tremendous impression under a confident ride when readily seeing off two rivals on his most recent outing at Haydock 23 days ago. Looking every inch a high-class novice in the making, he can maintain his 100% record and bring up the four-timer. Fellow ‘Horse In Focus’ Idaho Sun, who was a valiant sixth in the Champion Bumper after losing his place and has won both hurdling starts since, represents Harry Fry who won this race with Metier in 2021; he looks ready for this step up in grade and may emerge next best. Wetherby winner Starmount, Doncaster victor Storming George, and Grade 2 winner Diamond Hunter complete the shortlist.
The unexposed INDEEVAR BLEU shaped encouragingly following eight months off when runner-up at Newbury four weeks ago and, with this increase in trip fancied to unlock further progress, Olly Murphy’s low-mileage seven-year-old could well be the answer despite another small jump up the handicap. The thriving Bear Market, who chases a four-timer here, showed a good attitude when scoring over C&D three weeks ago and is feared most from the front. Fellow course winner Florida Dreams and Serious Operator, who looked as good as ever when scoring at Newcastle last month, head up the shortlist, though in truth it would be no great surprise to see Brewin’upastorm or Dedicated Hero bounce back to form now dropped in grade.
The Henry Daly-trained BLENKINSOP confirmed the promise of his chase debut and benefited from the step back up in trip when scoring in good style at Exeter 33 days ago. Open to further improvement as a staying chaser, he earns the vote over last year’s winner Fortunate Man who is 4 lb higher this time around but failed to show much sparkle in first-time blinkers at Uttoxter when last seen in March; he had two runs under his belt prior to running in last year’s race. Snipe, who took this prize two years ago, rates next best now back down to a more suitable trip (tied up from two out when tailed off in the Vershire National last time). Enthusiastic front-runner Kelce looks the pick of the remainder.
Timeform ‘Horse In Focus’ CHUGGY continues to go from strength to strength over fences, again jumping impeccably as he brought up the hat-trick with loads to spare at Warwick two weeks ago. That hasn’t gone unnoticed by the assessor but the manner of that display suggests he’s one to keep firmly on side for a while yet and he’s nicely clear on Timeform weight-adjusted ratings. Though he might prefer even more cut in the ground, Juby Ball impressed when scoring at Carlisle and is second choice ahead of another last-time-out winner Throatlash who proved that his debut effort was all wrong when winning at Wetherby last month; a 7 lb rise may underestimate him. Though given a chance by the handicapper, Roysse looks up against it on what we have seen over fences to date.
NO WALKOVER was made to work harder than had initially appeared likely when landing a Chepstow bumper on debut five weeks ago but the way he went through the race on that occasion suggests he’s capable of much better and David Pipe’s four-year-old is fancied to confirm as much and defy a penalty (as the last two winners of this race have). Dan Skelton landed this 12 months ago, and his point-to-point scorer Moments In Time also commands a look along with fellow Irish recruit Double Indemnity whose sales price rose as a five-year-old following his Damma House success for Colin Bowe. Sedgefield winner Grazeon Sunshine and Wonder Flying, who drops in grade here having run in better company at Cheltenham the last twice, are others worth a look in the finale.
Timeform’s Boxing Day Aintree tips
12:00 – Sweet Magic
12:30 – Prairie Wolf
13:05 – Mydaddypaddy
13:40 – Indeevar Bleu
14:15 – Blenkinsop
14:50 – Chuggy
15:25 – No Walkover
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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