14:20 Aintree

Friday 9 April 2021

All13:4514:2014:5015:2516:0516:4017:15

Betway Top Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:22 | Winning time: 4m 3.47s

Ajero^t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 140| D

8/1

Half-brother to connections' very smart chaser Charbel. Progressive over hurdles, extending winning sequence to 4 when easily seeing off 3 rivals in Huntingdon handicap 17 days ago. More to come.

Form: 3-21111

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Any News³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 143

14/1

Has made a bright start under Rules, supplementing his bumper win at Exeter on hurdles bow at Bangor in November. Yet to be asked for effort when unseating at Kelso and remains open to improvement.

Form: F-112U

Belfast Banter^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Kevin Sexton| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 135| D

9/1

Off mark over hurdles in 2m maiden at Galway in October and produced his best effort yet when landing the County at Cheltenham 3 weeks ago. Things may not pan out so favourably here upped in grade.

Form: 125621

Bombyx¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: L Wadham| OR: 122| D

100/1

Useful on Flat for James Fanshawe and showed he still retains his ability when returning from a 21-month absence to easily make a winning start over hurdles at Huntingdon. Looks out of his depth here.

Form: 13

Do Your Job^t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: M Scudamore| OR: 136| D

12/1

Irish point winner who has done well over hurdles this term, scoring twice in October. Ran at least as well as previously following a wind op when runner-up in Grade 2 event at Kelso but more needed.

Form: 2-11242

Dusart¹⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| D

5/2

Looked a star in the making when scoring on debut for a top yard at Newbury in November, leading 2 out and keeping on well. Has scope for plenty of improvement and very much one to keep onside.

Form: 1

For Pleasure²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 144| D

11/1

Headstrong front runner who was in fine form in first half of season, including Grade 2 novice win at Cheltenham. Ran his heart out to hit the frame in the Supreme but likely to come up short here.

Form: 114103

Third Time Lucki²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 144| D

5/2

Enhanced his good record over hurdles with easy Kempton success on Boxing Day. Arguably shaped best when sixth on handicap debut at Cheltenham 3 weeks ago and he remains one to view positively.

Form: 112146

Timberman³⁵

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

40/1

Promise for Nicky Henderson in 2019, and did well to overhaul his chief market rival on first hurdles start for this yard at Doncaster last month, leading under pressure run-in. Plenty more needed.

Form: 225-4D1

Houx Gris²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 130

9/1

Cost €200,000 after edging out Homme Public at Auteuil. Shaped really when finishing fourth on second start for this yard in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham last month and he remains capable of better.

Form: 123134

Forecasts

Dusart (5/2), Third Time Lucki (5/2), Ajero (8/1), Belfast Banter (9/1), Houx Gris (9/1), For Pleasure (11/1), Do Your Job (12/1), Any News (14/1), Timberman (40/1), Bombyx (100/1)

Some top novices on show here, with preference for Dan Skelton's THIRD TIME LUCKI, who paid the price for making his move earlier than ideal in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham 3 weeks ago and looks to have been found a good opportunity for a first top-level success. The main danger could be Dusart, who is open to any amount of improvement after his debut victory, with Any News also respected.