Aintree 1.10 - Live Football Betting At Totesport.com Handicap Hurdle

1.10 Aintree
Live Football Betting At Totesport.com Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) (4YO plus)
Winner £12,524

Picks: Keki Buku (win), Washington Irving (each/way)

Quarts De Thaix: Improved with every run last season, impressive when beating Pontop by 5 and then 4 lengths at Cheltenham and Perth, handling an 8lbs rise inbetween; Surely not done improving yet although he will probably need the run.

Son Of Flicka: Thrived since winning 2½m Worcester handicap in June and came good third to Russian War in very solid race at Cheltenham last time; That effort gives him hand in this but exposed and handicapped to the hit.

Puyol: Won MCR Hurdle in January at Leopardstown but that off 13lbs lower mark; Best form at 2 miles, and will probably need the outing off a stiff mark.

Chomla Ri Coig: Would hold serious claims on his second in the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle and made good impression when winning over fences last season but this looks a stepping stone for return to chasing.

Keki Buku: Held in high regard by Phillip Hobbs and showed increased benefit of wind operation when winning 19f handicap hurdle at Market Rasen last week by 11 lengths; Up 7lbs in handicap but won by 11 lengths and every chance if avoiding bounce factor.

Washington Irving: Looked set for a good future over hurdles when pasting up by 15 lengths on his first start. but never really went on from that; Not up to Graded class here last time out but this surely will suit more and potential to be better than mark of 132.

Secret Tune: Well beaten in big summer handicap hurdle and ran a stinker when eighth at Cheltenham on his last start; Seems far happier at 2 miles anyway (blinkers not done trick at this distance).

Lightening Rod: Dotted up by 14 lengths on second last start but unable to cope with rise/race came too soon when making several mistakes in slow third behind Issaquah last time out; Doesn’t seem to stay this far and in any case, fitness concerns first time back.

Heron Bay: Has been in good form of late and second to Nearby in 2m handicap hurdle here on penultimate start has been boosted no end by that horse since; Likes the track and will go well for a yard that has won this race with each of his last two representatives.

Ramsden Boy: In form of his life last season, bagging brace of handicap hurdles over this trip at Ayr (both good ground) beating yardstick Potnop (also beaten by Qarts De Thaix); Will be happy under these conditions but I wonder how much he’ll improve for having fallen at the first last time.

Worth A King’s: Useful flat horse who has already won twice over hurdles, winning a 2m4f novice hurdle at Uttoexeter; Never threatened on handicap bow and while he should be straighter, hard to recommend.

VERDICT: This is an absolute minefield. KEKI BUKU is only a tentative selection to defy a penalty for last week's Market Rasen romp, with his stable in good heart and his previous form looking useful. We never got to see the best of WASHINGTON IRVING as a novice hurdler after his debut last year; While he disappointed on 3 out of his 4 runs he’s still worth a chance to be better than 132 and has a serious shot if he’s ready to run here.