20.10.11 - RACING AT AINTREE

Master Minded & Albertas Run go head to head in Betfred Monet's Garden Old Roan Chase

JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL HOPEFUL MUMBLES HEAD ON COMEBACK TRAIL

 BEST TURNED OUT BY TWITTER

Master Minded (11st 10lb) and Albertas Run (11st) return to Aintree for a fascinating renewal of the £50,000 Grade Two Betfred Monet’s Garden Old Roan Chase (3.30pm), highlight of the opening day at the Liverpool course’s first meeting of the new season, tomorrow, Saturday, October 22.

The pair, who have posted 12 Grade One victories between them, clashed at this year’s John Smith’s Grand National Meeting when Master Minded powered to a stunning nine-length victory over Albertas Run in the Grade One John Smith’s Melling Chase.

That success came at level weights but the tables could well be turned as the Paul Nicholls-trained chaser has to concede 10lb to Albertas Run, representing Jonjo O’Neill, in the two and a half-mile limited handicap chase.

The field is completed by Pure Faith (10st 4lb), who triumphed in a two-mile novices’ chase at Aintree on May 6. The eight-year-old’s trainer Peter Bowen is fully aware of the mammoth task facing his 136-rated chaser.

Bowen commented: “Pure Faith is heading to Aintree because the prize money is very good and the expectation is that he will finish third. He is about 30lb wrong in the handicap but he will pick up as much money for coming last as he would if he won a £10,000 race somewhere else.

“He won a novices’ chase at the course in the spring and he is a good horse in his own right, but he is not in the league of Master Minded or Albertas Run.

“One of the others might fall, or we might, but hopefully he can pick up some decent prize money without getting a penalty or going up in the ratings.”

This year’s renewal of the Betfred Old Roan Chase is named in honour of three-time winner Monet’s Garden, who took the spoils in 2007, 2009 & 2010 and the retired chaser will parade before the big race.

Bowen will also be represented in the £19,800 Betfred 10 Best Odds In Shops Veterans’ Handicap Chase (2.55pm) by the lightly-raced Mumbles Head (11st 9lb), who was laying down a strong challenge when falling three fences out on his latest start in the Listed Summer National Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter in June, 2010.

The Pembrokeshire handler continued: “Mumbles Head is in good form. He has had quite a few injuries in his career so he hasn’t got too many miles on the clock compared to some of the other veterans in the race.

“He would have won at Uttoxeter if he didn’t fall and he has come back fine from a major injury. He is the sort of horse who could have another two or three good years if he stays in one piece.

“We entered him in the John Smith’s Grand National in 2010 and the aim is to go for the race again this season. He won’t have too many runs before then but I think that he is a very, very good horse and I think that he is well handicapped.”

A field of 10 for the three mile, one furlong contest also includes the Colin McBratney-trained Ballyholland (11st 12lb) and Atouchbetweenacara (11st 9lb), who captured a Grade Two limited handicap chase at Cheltenham for trainer Venetia Williams in 2009.

Charlie Longsdon has his stable in superb form and the Oxfordshire handler has declared Far More Serious (11st 8lb), while Santa’s Son (11st 7lb), who made the early running in this year’s John Smith’s Grand National, makes his debut for his new trainer Lucinda Russell. There is a second Irish challenger in Treacle (11st 6lb), who won well at Gowran Park last time out on October 1.

There are seven races on the day, starting at 2.25pm with the 11-runner Betfred Goals Galore Handicap Hurdle and ending with the Betfred Black Machines Maiden Hurdle (5.45pm).

In a first for Aintree, members of the public will be invited to choose the best turned out in the Betfred 10 Best Odds In Shops Veterans' Handicap Chase via Twitter.

Racegoers will be able to nominate the smartest horse in the parade ring by tweeting @AintreeInsider their pick of the paddock before the race. One lucky tweeter will be drawn at random to join the action in the parade ring and receive a £20 betting voucher plus some celebratory champagne.

Before the racing action, 16-time champion jockey A P McCoy, who rides Albertas Run in the Betfred Monet’s Garden Old Roan Chase, will be signing copies of his new autobiography, while the stars of the future will also be in action in the 2011 Charles Owen Pony Racing Finals.

Aintree hosts Matalan Freaky Family Funday on Sunday, October 23 - a day of racing with a host of free Halloween-themed entertainment for all ages.

Highlights of a six-race card include the £15,000 Pertemps Handicap Hurdle (3.10pm) and a field of 14 for the extended three-mile contest includes last season’s Welsh National victor Synchronised and recent Listed handicap chase scorer Benny Be Good.

Saint Are, successful in the Grade One John Smith’s Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in April, faces six rivals as he bids to make a winning debut over fences in the £10,000 Matalan Novices’ Chase (2.35pm) over two and a half miles.

Takeroc, runner-up in the 2008 Grade One John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase, features among the eight runners for the £17,000 Weatherbys Bloodstock Insurance Handicap Chase (for the John Parrett Memorial Trophy) (3.45pm). The first race of the day, the Matalan Introductory Juvenile Hurdle, is run at 2pm.

Away from the racing action, children can get up close to a pony and take a pony ride or groom one of the miniature Groovy Hooves ponies in the equestrian centre. There will be a host of indoor activities, including Halloween crafts and colouring, face painting and Halloween shows plus a fancy dress contest for all of the family.

Former leading amateur rider Carrie Ford, who partnered Forest Gunner to win the 2004 Fox Hunters’ Chase and finished fifth on the same horse in the 2005 John Smith’s Grand National, will be on hand to give advice and encouragement to budding young jockeys by offering rides on an Equicizer.

Aintree will unveil its new grey horse mascot on Matalan Freaky Family Funday which children will be able to give a name to.

Outside, hair-raising spooky funfair rides are guaranteed to keep anyone warm and there will also be free Halloween goody bags for the children.

GROUND

The going at Aintree is currently Good to Soft, Good in places.

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