Aintree My Dream

Aintree My Dream did well under the circumstances to run as well as he did in the concluding two-and-three-quarter-mile handicap hurdle at Haydock last Saturday.

Dan Skelton’s horse was keener than ideal through the early stages of the race. He really didn’t drop the bridle until they were going past the winning post with a circuit to go. He had jumped well up to that point, however, and he continued to do so. He travelled well down the back straight, and he looked by far the most likely winner when he moved into a clear lead at the top of the home straight. However, Dadsintrouble had moved up nicely in behind and, when he challenged Aintree My Dream at the second last flight, the leader couldn’t repel his challenge. His early exertions obviously taking their toll, he also surrendered second spot to Splash Of Ginge fairly tamely, and he only just held on to third place from Maxie T, who had been under pressure for a long way.

This was probably a much better run from Aintree My Dream than the figures suggest. He did win a point-to-point, but this was his first attempt at a distance in excess of two and a half miles under Rules, and he just didn’t get home. They tried to hold him up over the longer trip instead of allowing him jump and run, as they did in the Winter Hurdle at Sandown on Tingle Creek weekend, and he just didn’t settle. He may be worth another try over three miles in time, when he learns to settle better but, for now, he should be seen to best effect back down at two and a half. Also, although he won a bumper and a novice hurdle on soft ground, his best previous run was in that Winter Hurdle at Sandown, when he was fourth behind Messire Des Obeaux and Ballyandy, and that race was run on goodish ground.

He is seven, but this was just his third run over hurdles and just his fourth in all under Rules, so he should continue to progress. He will be of interest now back on better ground, or back over a shorter trip, or back over this trip when he learns to settle better.

21^st January 2017