Richard Spencer full of positives over Thistimenextyear's chances

Pinsent Masons Handicap Hurdle (Conditional Jockeys' And Amateur Riders' Race) | Class 2 | 2m½f, 4yo+ | RTV

Victory for Thistimenextyear might not make Richard Spencer a millionaire, but it would earn him his first Aintree winner as the five-year-old looks to do the business for the Newmarket-based trainer, who runs Outlander in the Grand National.

The Rebel Racing-owned gelding has progressed well this season with two wins and two places from his last five runs, and Spencer was full of positives.

He said: "He doesn't seem to mind the ground, he's in good form and we're looking forward to it.

"He's not been overraced, he probably needs to improve his jumping, but we've a good jockey booked in Darragh O’Keeffe and hope he'll run well."

It’s another O’Keeffe who could pose the most danger for Spencer and the rest of the field, as Jedd O’Keeffe saddles former Flat performer Lord Yeats.

The 2017 Fred Archer Stakes winner has been in blistering form since switching to hurdles, having won twice by an aggregate of 21 lengths and finishing a close second on his other two runs.

“He seems to be in really good shape and we think he's ready to be tested in a deeper grade now,” said O’Keeffe.

“We've got a good jockey booked [Tommy Dowson], the trip, ground and track should suit, and I'm very positive about his chances.”

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