GB - Aintree - Race 5

Thoroughbred

13 Runners

19.9f

Handicap Chase

Turf

110.0K

VIEW

Verdict

An open-looking renewal of Britain's first big chase of the autumn, BOOMBAWN selected to notch his third success over the larger obstacles having been given a recent pipe-opener over timber at Chepstow. Dan Skelton's 9-y-o is 10 lb lower than when fourth in this last year and the application of first-time headgear signals intent. Imperial Saint has a fine record here, so he heads up the dangers on reappearance, with last year's winner Hitman completing the shortlist.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob
8	Smart chaser who finished last season in better heart than his finishing positions suggested and shaped well on return over hurdles at Chepstow recently, that presumably a pipe-opener. 10 lb lower than when fourth in this last year and in first-time cheekpieces, he looks to have a great chance. 1st Pick 8 Boombawn (Ire) Jockey: Harry Skelton Trainer: Dan Skelton J: Harry Skelton T: Dan Skelton	100	-	-	-	16%
Analysis Smart chaser who finished last season in better heart than his finishing positions suggested and shaped well on return over hurdles at Chepstow recently, that presumably a pipe-opener. 10 lb lower than when fourth in this last year and in first-time cheekpieces, he looks to have a great chance.
9	Won first 3 starts here in 2024/25 and added to his tally when landing a gamble in Peter Marsh at Haydock back in January. Excuses in Ultima next time, but unable to extend his Merseyside love affair in Grand National back in April (possibly failed to stay). Makes return back at 2½m. 2nd Pick 9 Imperial Saint (Fr) Jockey: Sean Houlihan Trainer: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White J: Sean Houlihan T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White	97	-	-	-	12%
Analysis Won first 3 starts here in 2024/25 and added to his tally when landing a gamble in Peter Marsh at Haydock back in January. Excuses in Ultima next time, but unable to extend his Merseyside love affair in Grand National back in April (possibly failed to stay). Makes return back at 2½m.
3	Ended a long losing run in this corresponding race last year on reappearance. However, he failed to kick on from that in 3 subsequent starts, stopped in his tracks by a serious error before exiting through no fault of his own in Topham here (21f, good to soft) when last seen in April. Considered. 3rd Pick 3 Hitman (Fr) Jockey: Freddie Gingell Trainer: Paul Nicholls J: Freddie Gingell T: Paul Nicholls	98	-	-	-	14%
Analysis Ended a long losing run in this corresponding race last year on reappearance. However, he failed to kick on from that in 3 subsequent starts, stopped in his tracks by a serious error before exiting through no fault of his own in Topham here (21f, good to soft) when last seen in April. Considered.

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Horse Racing Basic Terms

Fast

A dry dirt track that is typically an ideal racing surface.

Scratch

A horse is a scratch when injury or other necessity causes it to be withdrawn from the race.

Bleeder

A horse that bleeds due to a ruptured blood vessel during a race or workout. The medication Lasix can fix this problem.