14:25 Aintree

Saturday 14 April 2018

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

Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)

  • 4YO plus  |   Class 1  |   2m 4f  |   Soft  |   12 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 14:25  |   Winning time: 5m 3.7s
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The word Betfair in black.
The words Paddy Power in green.
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
1
Horse silk
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.
3
Horse silk
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.
4
Horse silk
Black Opt31
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.
5
Horse silk
Brianstormh36
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.
6
Horse silk
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.
8
Horse silk
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.
9
Horse silk
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.
10
Horse silk
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.
11
Horse silk
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.
12
Horse silk
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.
13
Horse silk
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.
14
Horse silk
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.

Non-Runners

2
Horse silk
Bedrock1
Weight: 11-4|  Age: 5
T: I Jardine  J: Henry Brooke
NR
7
Horse silk
Count Meribel1
Weight: 11-4|  Age: 6
T: N & W Twiston-Davies  J: M D Grant
NR

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)

Verdict

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.
  1. Black Op
  2. On The Blind Side
  3. Chosen Path

Previous Winners

2017
Finian's Oscar
Weight: 11-4  |Age: 5
3/1

Prize Money

1st: £56,130.002nd: £21,110.003rd: £10,550.004th: £5,270.005th: £2,650.006th: £1,320.007th: £680.008th: £360.009th: £200.0010th: £100.00

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