Race cards · Sat 11 Apr
Saturday 11 April · Aintree, England
14:30 William Hill Handicap Chase (Registered As The Freebooter Handicap Chase) (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
- Distance
- 3m 0f 210y
- Going
- Good to Soft (Good in places)
- Class
- 1
- Prize
- GBP 100000
- Runners
- 13
Race preview
CRUZ CONTROL lifted this prize in 2024 and a trio of moderate efforts didn't stop him from repeating the dose 12 months ago. Tom Lacey's charge arrives in similar form this time around but this will have undoubtedly be the target, especially seeing as he's only 1lb higher than last year. It would be quite the feat to win this again but this C&D clearly brings out the best in him. Dan Skelton's Mr Hope Street has few miles on the clock over fences and makes considerable appeal from a handy weight, as does Ladbrokes Trophy winner Lookaway, for all that a 6lb rise will make things tougher. Ben Pauling was bullish about the chances of Bad at Kempton latest so don't write him off at a big price.