Sunday Review

Despite the inclement weather, it was good to be working at Aintree's first meeting on Sunday. Hitman won the Grade 2 Old Roan Chase at the fourth attempt with the nine year old registering his first victory for nearly three years. Runner-up in the 2022 and 2024 versions, Paul Nicholls' charge beat Master Chewy by two lengths producing a bold leap at the last to seal his win. The second travelled equally strongly but didn't find as much as anticipated once asked for his effort. A well run two miles is arguably his optimum trip. 

It proved a mixed afternoon for Dan Skelton with the Warwickshire based handler sending out Ace of Spades to land the two and a half miles handicap hurdle. Racing off a mark of 127, the six year old was dropping back in trip having finished runner-up over three miles at Ayr last spring. The race has a history of producing subsequent winners of the Betfair Staying Handicap Hurdle at Haydock (22nd November) - Paisley Park (2018) and Stoney Mountain (2019) completed the double, while Crambo (2023) and Kamsinas (2024) were placed- and the Dink gelding is set for a return to Merseyside next month provided the ground isn't too testing. Unfortunately, stablemate Lady Motivator suffered a fatal injury in the concluding mares' bumper. I saw Harry Skelton who was walking in back in after the race when I was leaving. 

Top 40 entry Big Ticket ran with plenty of promise in the two and a half miles maiden hurdle. While it was disappointing that he couldn't make a winning start to his career under Rules, Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies' gelding shouldn't have trouble going one better in the near future. Racing enthusiastically, his jumping was good and he held every chance after the last. Beaten a length by the racefit Marsiac, time is likely to show he bumper into a useful rival. Only four, the Soldier of Fortune gelding ought to stay further and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him running over three miles later in the season.

The two miles novices' handicap chase is likely to prove a decent contest, too, with four of the six runners competing over fences for the first time. Ironically, the two with experience never looked likely to figure from an early stage. The race was won by Jordans Cross and he looks a promising young chaser for Anthony Honeyball. There was plenty to like about the performances of Spadestep and Gentleman Bill who look sure to win races over the larger obstacles. The former, in particular, jumped superbly and he remains well treated off 114. He won't always bump into such a progressive rival, especially on the Scottish circuit.