ELY TO DOUBLE UP
ELY Brown was a bit disappointing on his final start of last year at Aintree, but he can make amends and repeat his victory of last year in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle back at the Merseyside venue tomorrow.
Trainer Charlie Longsdon is enjoying a wellpublicised hot streak and this eight- year- old looks a leading player, with any further rain definite plus for him.
Ely Brown struck gold in this heat in 2012, battling bravely to win by just a head off a mark of 125.
He will be lining up off a 10lb higher rating this time, though, after a series of fruitful subsequent runs saw him winner another of these qualifiers before claiming a creditable sixth in the Final at the Cheltenham Festival.
Ely Brown gave his best that day but was unable to shine when returned to Aintree during the Grand National meeting, finishing well behind winner Battle Group in a Grade Three event on that occasion.
Perhaps he was just feeling the effects of a lengthy campaign or maybe the quicker ground did not suit, but it is best to give him the benefit of the doubt and try again off a slightly reduced rating.
Donald McCain always enjoys a few winners at Aintree and he holds winning claims with Ballybriggan in the Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Handicap Chase following a novice campaign which yielded one win in four starts.
The nine- year- old shaped well over hurdles but failed to deliver the same kind of promise on his first few chase outings before finally getting off the mark at Sedgefield in May.
He beat Monarch’s Way by seven lengths on that occasion but was really pushed out to do so and did not really appear to be one of Mc- Cain’s stars.
However, he should have learnt plenty for the experience and this is not the strongest of heats.
Memberof can make a winning British bow in the Dornan Engineering Ltd Introductory Juvenile Hurdle. He was successful in a hurdle of Moulins in France last month and is an intriguing recruit for Alan King.
Swincombe Rock can defy a long absence and make a glorious return in the FJ Chalke Desert Orchid Handicap Chase at Wincanton.
Despite having down the rounds a bit, he remains pretty lightly raced and will be having just his second start for this handler after nearly a year off the track.
He looked to have some ability when second on his debut for Bridgwater last November but did not make it to the track again last term.
Swincombe Rock has clearly had his issues but given he was rated as high as 144 over fences, it is perhaps a touch too early to give up on him completely.