16:20 Aintree

Saturday 14 April 2018

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

Ryanair Stayers Hurdle (Registered As The Liverpool Hurdle) (Grade 1)

Off time: 16:21 | Winning time: 6m 20.10s

Coole Cody^h,t¹⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: T Scudamore| T: M Blake| OR: 145

25/1

Winner of four of his last five races (second in the other), he's an out-and -out front runner who steps up in grade off a break. Last seen winning off a mark of 136 when seen to maximum effect at Cheltenham and this is much tougher.

Form: F12-111

Identity Thief³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Flanagan| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 153

14/1

Not quite the force he once was over hurdles although he does appear to be working his way back to form after a break. Ran his best race since early 2016 when finishing 4th in the Champion Hurdle but has never tried 3m before.

Form: 460-624

Lil Rockerfeller^p³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: T E Whelan| T: N B King| OR: 155

12/1

Tough and hardy individual for whom things haven't quite clicked of late after his Wetherby win in November (beat L'Ami Serge). Failed to get the run of the race last time at Cheltenham (pace too slow) and a better effort can't be ruled out here.

Form: 0-31620

Old Guard⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 156

12/1

Already having his best season when scoring the biggest win of his career last time at Fontwell in a Grade 2 (2m3f with Lil Rockerfeller second). Not proven at 3m however and failed when tried at the trip before; will be thoroughly tested here.

Form: 131541

Sam Spinner³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Joe Colliver| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 164| BF

6/5

A progressive force in the staying sphere of late he progressed via handicaps to take a Grade 1 in good style late last year. Beaten favourite in the Stayers' at Cheltenham but likely to do better if he can set a stronger gallop.

Form: 11-2115

Serienschock^t³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Ludovic Philipperon| T: Miss Alexandra Rosa| OR: 142

66/1

French challenger who finished fourth in this two years ago and remains capable of some smart form at best. Below form on his last hurdles start (Listed event at Pau) but did score on the Flat last time out in a handicap; would be a shock winner.

Form: P017-25

Shelford⁸⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 140

80/1

Not as good as he once was, he's been lightly raced of late and runs again here without his usual headgear. Returned to hurdles after a chase campaign last time in his first run over smaller obstacles in over a year; looks to face a very stiff task.

Form: 2-22353

The Worlds End³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 155| CD

6/1

Winner at this meeting last year over this trip, he's never quite built on that victory in four runs this season. Showed glimpses of form in top-class company (last three runs all in Graded company) and could yet spring a surprise.

Form: F1-8447

Thomas Campbell^p1³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 152| D

16/1

Started this season really well when wining two competitive staying handicaps at Cheltenham (not able to bridge the gap to this class). Disappointed returned to handicaps last time; now given another go at this level in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 7-11560

Wholestone³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 161

7/2

Has won three times at Grade 2 level at Cheltenham with two Festival thirds to his name at the same track at the highest level. His Stayers' Hurdle third ranks as a top-class run although he may have had the run of the race on his favourite track.

Form: 426123

Non-Runners

L'Ami Serge²

Weight: 11-7| Age: 8

T: N J Henderson J: Aidan Coleman

Forecasts

Sam Spinner (6/5), Wholestone (7/2), The Worlds End (6/1), L'Ami Serge (8/1), Old Guard (12/1), Lil Rockerfeller (12/1), Identity Thief (14/1), Thomas Campbell (16/1), Coole Cody (25/1), Serienschock (66/1), Shelford (80/1)

A good renewal with Sam Spinner looking for his revenge on Wholestone having not been seen to best effect around Cheltenham in the Stayers Hurdle and finishing fifth off what was a far too sedate pace; it won’t be a surprise to see him make this a far sterner test. Last year’s Sefton winner THE WORLDS END may finally confirm the promise of that now run returned to a course that obviously suits him and spring a little bit of a surprise (wasn’t that far behind Sam Spinner at Cheltenham). Lil Rockerfeller has the form in the book to win this if he comes back to his absolute best while Identity Thief is a very interesting contender if he stays this trip.