Unowhatimeanharry wins with his old gusto

Aintree Saturday

THERE were a couple of notable performances at Aintree on Saturday, for all the card was a fairly low-key one, and the highlight for many would have been the return to form of the veteran Unowhatimeanharry (Harry Fry/Kevin Brogan) in the Pertemps Qualifier. The multiple Grade 1 winner is no back number, and he travelled with all his old gusto here, running out quite an easy winner off a mark of 148.

He’s been raised 3lb for that, and it would be interesting to see him aimed at the final as a 13-year-old; those with long memories will recall Cheltenham legend Willie Wumpkins taking what was then the Coral Golden Hurdle at the same age in 1981.

Tough Boy

The conditions hurdle over two and a half miles was a strong affair, and went to former Supreme Novices’ winner Summerville Boy (Tom George/Jonny Burke), who proved just too tough for favourite Ch’tibello and Thomas Darby.

The winner, who was conceding weight, will head to the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury at the end of the month, while the placed pair could be in the frame for the Ascot Hurdle over the extended two miles, three furlongs.