Timeform Daily: Sunday 26th October Aintree 2.40, The Intercasino.co.uk Four Year Old Hurdle (Class 2)

Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 25 October 2008 / Leave a Comment

There's a valuable prize on offer for this two-mile hurdles race for four-year-olds and somewhat surprisingly only five go to post in what looks, essentially, a match between Squadron and the improving Pierrot Lunaire.

Pierrot Lunaire: Developed into one of leading juvenile hurdlers of 2007/8, improving markedly when winning Grade 2 over course and distance at the National meeting by fourteen lengths from subsequent Swinton winner Blue Bajan. The forecast rainfall will be in his favour and he looks very much the one to beat for thriving stable.

Squadron: Dual-winner last season and has benefit of race fitness over his rival having shaped really well when second to Crack Away Jack at Chepstow earlier this month, sticking to task well despite jumping right at final three flights. Possibly not the most straightforward (has awkward head carriage) but further improvement not ruled out and likely to go well.

Fushe Jo: Burnt many pockets last season having been beaten favourite all three starts but impresses with the way he travels and probably too soon to be giving up on him just yet, handicaps likely to see him in a better light. The way he floundered on soft ground on his final start is a concern, however.

King Of The Beers: Largely below form on level this year and little encouragement in two starts over hurdles for Keith Goldsworthy in summer to suggest he'll be any better for change of scenery.

Pelennor: Ex-French-trained gelding who won on his chasing debut there having been placed over hurdles in the Provinces but shaped with no promise on British debut when pulled up at Towcester earlier this month and best watched for now.