15:35 Aintree

Saturday 10 April 2021

All13:4514:2515:0015:3516:1517:1518:20

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

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 12.13s

Call Me Lord⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 150

80/1

International Hurdle scorer at Cheltenham (2m) last term but winless since and he arrives in just fair form, beaten 10 lengths into fourth in National Spirit at Fontwell latest. Up in trip.

Form: 0-42744

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Decor Irlandais⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: J S McGarvey| T: N C Kelly| OR: 149

50/1

Smart hurdler. Probably needed his first run since the summer when fifth of 6 in Navan Grade 2 in February but essentially he isn't quite up to this level of competition.

Form: 129-415

Diol Ker^p⁷²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 152

11/1

Took his form up a notch stepped up to 3m for the first time with cheekpieces added (retained) when second in Gowran Grade 2 in January. More needed here but he is unexposed as a stayer.

Form: 1-F3412

Emitom^p1⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 153| BF

50/1

Smart hurdler who was good fourth to Lisnagar Oscar in 2020 Stayers' at Cheltenham. Placed over fences first 2 runs this term but made a disappointing return to hurdles in Rendlesham. Cheekpieces on.

Form: 614-236

If The Cap Fits^p,t²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 155| CD

20/1

Edged out Roksana when winning this in 2019. Smart form over fences this term without ever really convincing as a chaser. 25/1, well back hurdling in Stayers' at Cheltenham latest. Others preferred.

Form: 5-12329

Lisnagar Oscar²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 159

12/1

2020 Stayers' winner at Cheltenham. Back to form when second to Third Wind (conceded him 6 lb) and he looked to be in a good rhythm when falling in Stayers' back at Cheltenham latest.

Form: 31-472F

On The Blind Side^p⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 153| BF| C

33/1

Has done well back hurdling this term, winning handicaps at Cheltenham and Market Rasen. Also good third to Third Wind and Lisnagar Oscar in Rendlesham but underlines his limitations at this level.

Form: 1-12213

Paisley Park²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 163| BF| C

3/1

Beat Thyme Hill and Roksana when landing Long Walk at Ascot in December. Creditable third in Stayers' at Cheltenham last month. Leading form chance but this track not certain to play to strengths.

Form: 117-213

Third Wind⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Tom Cannon| T: H Morrison| OR: 153

18/1

Progressive over staying trips, defeating Lisnagar Oscar (albeit in receipt of 6 lb) to win Rendlesham at Haydock latest. However, he was behind a few of these in Long Walk so improvement needed.

Form: 14-5251

Thomas Darby²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: O Murphy| OR: 153

28/1

Smart hurdler but he's likely to come up a little short here unless improving for the step up to 3m.

Form: 313-330

Thyme Hill¹¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 162| BF

5/2

Took the scalp of Paisley Park on Newbury reappearance. Narrowly denied by that same rival in Long Walk at Ascot but it was another cracking effort. Missed Cheltenham due to a setback. Big chance.

Form: 1114-12

Vinndication^b1,t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 155

22/1

Has developed into a high-class staying chaser despite never being the best of jumpers. Made a good return to hurdles when sixth in Stayers at Cheltenham and each-way shout in first-time blinkers.

Form: 5/14-2U6

William Henry^p¹⁵¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas| OR: 155| D

66/1

Very smart hurdler for Nicky Henderson who signed off for last term with Grade 2 win at Fontwell. Won Hereford maiden chase on reappearance in November. Off since. Yard in form but others preferred.

Form: 14/381-1

Indefatigable²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Rex Dingle| T: P R Webber| OR: 148

28/1

Smart hurdler who ended last season with victory in Martin Pipe at Cheltenham. Back to best after wind surgery when fourth in Mares' back at Cheltenham latest but Roksana was ahead of her in third.

Form: 311-364

Roksana²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 153

7/2

Smart and likeable mare who has a very good record around 3m, including second in this in 2019. Creditable third in Mares' at Cheltenham (2½m) last month. Looks sure to go well.

Form: 24-1313

Forecasts

Thyme Hill (5/2), Paisley Park (3/1), Roksana (7/2), Diol Ker (11/1), Lisnagar Oscar (12/1), Third Wind (18/1), If The Cap Fits (20/1), Vinndication (22/1), Thomas Darby (28/1), Indefatigable (28/1), On The Blind Side (33/1), Decor Irlandais (50/1), Emitom (50/1), William Henry (66/1), Call Me Lord (80/1)

It's one apiece between THYME HILL and Paisley Park this season, but the latter isn't sure to be seen to best effect over this sharp 3m so it's Philip Hobbs's charge who missed Cheltenham and is taken to come out on top in the decider. Roksana is closely matched with that pair on Long Walk form and should give another good account. Vinndication is an each-way player in blinkers.