George Harrow Memorial Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 11:51 | Winning time: 5m 46.20s

Aye Aye Charlie^p1¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 134| BF

1/12

Contested some of the top novice events last year and although highly-tried he wasn't disgraced. Looked to have a relatively easy chance on his return at Aintree (may have run into a useful one) and now over 2f further; cheekpieces on first-time.

Form: F4374-2

Bodacious Name¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: C R King| T: J & S Quinn

9/1

Shown good form on the Flat of late (won his last two handicaps over 2m2f at Pontefract) and now returns to hurdles looking to improve on his modest form in this sphere. Will be suited by this test but faces a stiff task.

Form: P-2

Justadreamyeken³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: Mrs H O Graham

66/1

Showed something to work on from both his bumper and hurdles debuts which were separated by a gap of 8 months. Does look one for the longer term though and probably handicaps once he has a mark.

Form: 4-6

Starozov¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Callum Bewley| T: Mrs J Stephen

40/1

Irish point-to-point winner who looks to have plenty of stamina in the pedigree and even this test may prove a little too sharp. Showed some ability over 2m on his hurdles debut here (lacked any pace); likely to improve but this is a tough test.

Form: 1P-F323

Forecasts

Aye Aye Charlie (1/12), Bodacious Name (9/1), Starozov (40/1), Justadreamyeken (66/1)

AYE AYE CHARLIE looked to have an easy task last time out but rather fluffed his lines and he’s now tried in cheekpieces for the first time as he tries to gain an elusive first win having been highly tried for much of his hurdles career. Bodacious Name has been in good form on the Flat and will keep the market leader honest at least although this is a tough test back over hurdles. The other two protagonists Justadreamyeken and Starozov both look to have ability but would be surprise winners on the evidence they have presented so far.