Al Dancer seeking to build on Chepstow success at Aintree

Sam Thomas has his string in great heart ahead of Old Roan Chase.

Sam Thomas has made a superb start to the season and will be looking for Al Dancer to continue his fine run of form in Sunday’s Jewson Fast Set Finish Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase at Aintree.

Al Dancer was one of the stable’s three high-profile winners at Chepstow’s big two-day meeting earlier this month, when scoring by seven and a half lengths from fellow joint-favourite Nocte Volatus.

“We were really happy with his first run at Chepstow, which has put him up to a career-high mark,” said the Glamorgan handler.

“So, with him being a 10-year-old now, we thought it was worth having another go at a good race with him.

“It’s a tough ask because it looks a very hot race, but he’s very well in himself and that’s always a big plus.

“We didn’t manage to get much out of him last season, so it’s great to get him back enjoying himself.

“Touch wood, a lot of our horses have been firing on all cylinders so far, so long may that continue.”

Tommy’s Oscar is another who will have fitness on his side after a smooth Kelso success on his seasonal reappearance for Ann Hamilton, who won here with Nuts Well in 2020.

Hitman was second in this race last year for Paul Nicholls, going down by just a head to Riders Onthe Storm.

He went on to finish third in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and the champion trainer said: “He loves to be fresh and I am sure he will win a nice race. He is still only a young horse.”

Jewson Halloween Family Day – Aintree Racecourse
Riders Onthe Storm and Hitman (left) jump the final fence in last year’s Old Roan (Nigel French/PA)

Do Your Job was sent off favourite 12 months ago, finishing sixth, and has since switched from Michael Scudamore to the in-form Lucinda Russell.

The Scottish handler said: “I always admired him when Michael had him in training and he seems to be well suited to our gallop.

“He’s a big, strong horse who takes a little bit of getting to know. We’ve done a lot of schooling, Derek (Fox) rides him and I’d love him to do well this season for the owner and all the connections.

“We’ll see how we get on with him, but I think the Old Roan Chase is a good starting point.”

Datsalrightgino signed off last season with a spirited win in the Grade Two Future Champion Novices’ Chase at Ayr and is reported in fine spirits by Jamie Snowden.

The trainer said: “He was very progressive last season as a novice and finished up almost 20lb higher than he started.

“He definitely improved for stepping up to two and a half miles and we think he’s improved again ahead of this season, although he’ll need to, as this is a tough race.

Coral Scottish Grand National – Ayr Racecourse – Saturday 22nd April
Datsalrightgino with connections after winning at Ayr (Jane Barlow/PA)

“His only real blip last term was at the Cheltenham Festival, but that was on testing ground and he bounced back with a very good win at Ayr on a nice surface.

“We’ve sidestepped a couple of possible engagements this year at Chepstow and Market Rasen because of the ground, but hopefully it should be nice, fresh ground up at Aintree.”

Dan Skelton’s My Drogo looked a horse with huge potential when scoring in the Grade One Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at this venue in April 2021, with the reopposing Minella Drama nine and a half lengths back in second.

He was last seen landing a novice chase at Cheltenham 687 days ago but has been the subject of encouraging comments by connections.

Courtland enjoyed four wins from five outings during a successful summer spell for Peter Bowen, while Emma Lavelle’s Hang In there is chasing a hat-trick after victories at Stratford and Worcester.

Jetoile ended last term with a Chepstow double, while Erne River has always been held in high regard by Nick Kent and completes a quality field.

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