15:40 Aintree

Saturday 6 April 2019

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

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

Off time: 15:41 | Winning time: 5m 58.7s

Agrapart⁷⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Lizzie Kelly| T: Nick Williams| OR: 153| C

66/1

Well beaten in three starts this season and vulnerable at the highest level, as seen in the past. The recent rain in his favour but must bounce back to play any part and his best form has come at Cheltenham.

Form: 212-49P

Clyne⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 150

50/1

Heavy ground winner at Uttoxeter last season but that's his only win in more than two years and he tends to find a few too good in Graded company. This is hotter than the recent races he's contested, and others preferred.

Form: 413-254

If The Cap Fits^p1⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 152| BF

7/1

Grade 2 winner at Ascot in November and not disgraced on his subsequent runs. Will need more to mix it in this company though and looks largely reliant on first-time cheekpieces sparking improvement.

Form: 11-2132

Kilbricken Storm^b1,t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 150

25/1

Surprise 2018 Albert Bartlett winner and showed that was no fluke when narrowly denied in Punchestown's version of that race next time. Aborted chase career for a crack at the Stayers' at Cheltenham and shaped as if amiss; could bounce back.

Form: 313-160

Lord Napier^p,t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 144

40/1

Took his form to a new level when winning a Sandown Grade 3 in February. Struggled in testing conditions from his revised mark at Uttoxeter subsequently though and has plenty to find if he's to mix it at this level.

Form: 646316

Nautical Nitwit^p²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 147| D

80/1

Career best when winning a Grade 2 at Wetherby, albeit not the strongest race for the grade. Not disgraced in a Cheltenham handicap on New Year's Day but finished last of 18 when stepped up to Grade 1 company at the Festival and vulnerable again here

Form: 182150

Sam Spinner^p²³

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

7/1

Went off favourite for this race last year but could only finish third. Posted a career best when runner-up in Cheltenham's version of this contest, making a brave bid from the front and a repeat of that could be good enough here.

Form: 53-UU42

Sykes⁴⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Matt Griffiths| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 147| CD

40/1

Has been in good form on two starts this season, just touched off at Cheltenham in October before winning a 13-runner class 2 Haydock handicap in February. Has been found out when stepped up in grade before though and looks vulnerable here.

Form: 2200-21

The Worlds End²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 152| CD

25/1

Won a C&D Grade 1 novice event at this meeting in 2017 but couldn't replicate that form the following season. Mixed fortunes over fences so far this campaign and the ground would appear to have gone against him on return to hurdles.

Form: 4-1316P

Unowhatimeanharry^p,t⁷⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: H Fry| OR: 154| C

25/1

Enjoyed a remarkable 2016/17 season rattling off a series of graded wins including three Grade 1 races. Not the force of old now, as seen at Cheltenham last time but he acts on soft ground and not without place claims.

Form: 30-31F8

West Approach²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 152

33/1

Has started to deliver on the promise he showed over hurdles a couple of years ago and has twice finished runner-up to star-stayer Paisley Park this season. Not at his best at the Festival last time but softer ground could see him to better effect.

Form: 3P5229

Wholestone²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 155| C

16/1

Runner-up in this race last year but hasn't been his usual consistent self this campaign since a course win in November. Versatile with regards conditions but will need to improve on his fifth in the Stayers' at Cheltenham to get involved here.

Form: 3-15295

William Henry^p²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 156

8/1

Got up late to record a surprise win (28/1) in a red-hot renewal of Coral Cup last time. In good hands and having his second start since a wind operation so there could be more to come and he gives the impression the step up in trip could suit.

Form: P144-P1

Apple's Jade^t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 163| BF| C

5/6

A winner of the last two renewals of the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown (3m). Disappointed in the Champion Hurdle last time but she's the type to bounce back and probably wants more of a stamina test these days; should go well.

Form: 3-11116

Roksana²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 148

10/1

A winner of four of her seven hurdles starts and career best when winning the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham, though looked held prior to her main rival's fall. This is tougher in against the opposite sex but ran well in the Sefton here last year.

Form: 1112-31

Forecasts

Apple's Jade (5/6), If The Cap Fits (7/1), Sam Spinner (7/1), William Henry (8/1), Roksana (10/1), Wholestone (16/1), The Worlds End (25/1), Unowhatimeanharry (25/1), Kilbricken Storm (25/1), West Approach (33/1), Lord Napier (40/1), Sykes (40/1), Clyne (50/1), Agrapart (66/1), Nautical Nitwit (80/1)

If Apple's Jade bounces back to form, she's probably going to be hard to beat, but WILLIAM HENRY is an interesting runner on his second start since a wind operation, stepping up to three miles for the first time. A repeat of Sam Spinner's effort at Cheltenham should see him go close but his disappointing run when a short-priced favourite in the race last year is still fresh in the memory. West Approach has been keeping some smart company this campaign and could go well at an each-way price.