14:25 Aintree

Saturday 14 April 2018

All13:4514:2515:0015:4016:2017:1518:20

Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 3.7s

Aye Aye Charlie³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 134

25/1

Twice beaten by On The Blind Side this season and a fair way behind Black Op last month having gone off 100/1 poke in the Ballymore at Cheltenham. Will do well to hit the frame.

Form: 4-3F437

Better Getalong⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: D N Russell| T: N G Richards| OR: 138

40/1

Two from three over hurdles prior to chasing home Cyrus Darius in decent Kelso contest in February. Still leaves him with improvement to find but lightly-raced and could be capable of it.

Form: 10-1312

Black Op^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: N D Fehily| T: T R George| OR: 152

3/1

Easy winner of 2m5f Doncaster maiden in January, since chased home Santini on Cheltenham Trials Day and then Samcro in the Ballymore at last month's Festival. Trainer does well here and thinks plenty of him.

Form: 19-4122

Brianstorm^h³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 132

33/1

Couple of soft-ground wins at Taunton and Sandown recently, recorded in good style. Up in trip now and facing classier opposition, he will have to improve significantly on the form to land a blow.

Form: 532311

Chosen Path²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 137

20/1

Ran a bit green behind Ok Corral at Kempton in February (form since boosted by winner) but solid 5L success back there last month and likely still has more to come for respected handler.

Form: 3-1U31

Euxton Lane²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Sherwood| OR: 139

28/1

Going the right way with wins at Fontwell and Newbury last month, latest when upped to 2m4½f. May still be improving but faces much sterner examination of credentials this time.

Form: 357211

Kildisart²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 143

25/1

Has finished first or second in four of five hurdles starts, including smart performance to win 2m5f soft-ground Kempton handicap last month with willing attitude on display. This is a good deal tougher on paper.

Form: 2-21251

Lostintranslation³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 144

12/1

Newbury maiden winner in December and ran very creditable race in last month's Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham (seventh). Up in trip now for trainer/jockey team with good track record at this meeting.

Form: 4-22167

On The Blind Side¹²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 153| CD

11/8

Unbeaten in three starts over hurdles for the Champion Trainer, impressively coming 9L clear to win Sandown Grade 2 in December when last spotted. Expected to be in the firing line.

Form: 1-111

Silver Concorde⁵⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 137

50/1

Won the 2014 Champion Bumper for Dermot Weld at Cheltenham. Served new trainer very well with three wins from four around Musselburgh, including over this sort of trip in February. Elder statesman in this field and tough ask against younger legs.

Form: 231121

Western Ryder³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 145

13/2

Couple of wins on testing ground at Cheltenham earlier in the season (2m/2m1f) showed his potential, only beaten 7½L in the Supreme there last month and step back up in trip should suit at this sharp track. Solid contender.

Form: U11426

Momella¹¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 142| D

10/1

Mare lost unbeaten record when 2½L behind On The Blind Side at Cheltenham in November, scored in Mares' Handicap Hurdle back there following month and off since. Place claims here with allowance to help.

Form: 41-1121

Non-Runners

Bedrock¹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: I Jardine J: Henry Brooke

Count Meribel¹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: M D Grant

Forecasts

On The Blind Side (11/8), Black Op (3/1), Western Ryder (13/2), Momella (10/1), Lostintranslation (12/1), Chosen Path (20/1), Aye Aye Charlie (25/1), Kildisart (25/1), Euxton Lane (28/1), Brianstorm (33/1), Better Getalong (40/1), Silver Concorde (50/1), Bedrock (50/1), Count Meribel (66/1)

Something of a duel on the betting and BLACK OP is fancied to come out on top. He got closest to the mighty Samcro at Cheltenham and had plenty daylight to the remainder. Tom George thinks a lot of him and tends to do well at this meeting, ensuring he earns the call. On The Blind Side is respected, being unbeaten for Seven Barrows and was impressive when last spotted in December. The mare Momella could have place claims while Chosen Path is a potential improver lurking in the pack for each-way players.