GB - Aintree - Race 4

Thoroughbred

25 Runners

21.1f

Am. Maiden Chase

Turf

Good to Soft

68.5K

VIEW

Verdict

BARTON SNOW was really good at Cheltenham and should continue to prove very hard to beat in this sphere. Its On The Line chased home the selection at the Festival and this ultra-consistent sort, who won this in 2024, looks sure to give his usual good account but it could be that the chief threat comes from Dan Skelton's Unexpected Party, who impressed at Haydock last time.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
3	Strong-travelling 9-y-o who made it 5-5 in hunters with an impressive display in the Cheltenham Foxhunter (3¼m, good to soft) last month, idling on the run-in but always holding the reopposing Its On The Line. Will continue to be hard to beat. 1st Pick 3 Barton Snow (Ire) Jockey: Mr Henry Crow Trainer: J. J. O'shea J: Mr Henry Crow T: J. J. O'shea	100	-	-	-	34%	2/1
Analysis Strong-travelling 9-y-o who made it 5-5 in hunters with an impressive display in the Cheltenham Foxhunter (3¼m, good to soft) last month, idling on the run-in but always holding the reopposing Its On The Line. Will continue to be hard to beat.
22	Winner of the 2024 Grand Annual at Cheltenham and runner-up in the same race in 2025. 2-2 switched to hunters this year, impressing when making all over 2¾m at Haydock latterly. Appeals as one who could take well to these fences. Big player. 2nd Pick 22 Unexpected Party (Fr) Jockey: Miss Heidi Palin Trainer: Dan Skelton J: Miss Heidi Palin T: Dan Skelton	99	-	-	-	25%	3/1
Analysis Winner of the 2024 Grand Annual at Cheltenham and runner-up in the same race in 2025. 2-2 switched to hunters this year, impressing when making all over 2¾m at Haydock latterly. Appeals as one who could take well to these fences. Big player.
14	Most likeable and dependable hunter chase who was runner-up at the Cheltenham Festival for the fourth year running when edged out by Barton Snow 4 weeks ago. Has tasted success in hunters at the other big spring festivals, though, including this in 2024. Looks sure to go well again. 3rd Pick 14 Its On The Line (Ire) Jockey: Mr D. O'connor Trainer: Emmet Mullins, Ireland J: Mr D. O'connor T: Emmet Mullins, Ireland	99	-	-	-	20%	4/1
Analysis Most likeable and dependable hunter chase who was runner-up at the Cheltenham Festival for the fourth year running when edged out by Barton Snow 4 weeks ago. Has tasted success in hunters at the other big spring festivals, though, including this in 2024. Looks sure to go well again.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Filly

A female horse that is four years of age or under.

Show Wager

Betting on a horse to finish in the first three spots, which pays out the same whether they win or run second or third.

Firm

A dry turf course, equal to a ‘fast’ dirt track.