16:40 Aintree

Friday 8 April 2022

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

Cavani Menswear Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 6m 11.41s

Banbridge²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 143

5/2

Lightly campaigned since starting with a bang last summer and reaped the rewards on only his second handicap start to land the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham 3 weeks ago. He looks to have leading claims in what looks a lower-quality field than usual.

Form: 114711

Bold Endeavour³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: L Morgan| OR: 133

12/1

Successful on sole outing in points and won both a Sedgefield bumper/maiden hurdle. Improved further when winning at Wetherby and similar form when met with defeat for the first time in Grade 2 at Kelso last month. This step up in trip sure to suit and he remains a useful staying prospect.

Form: 1-1113

Bowtogreatness⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 130

40/1

Has improved with each run over hurdles, opening his account at Ffos Las in December and following up in good style under a penalty at Leicester 5 weeks later. Upped significantly in grade but we've almost certainly not seen the best of him yet.

Form: 523-F11

Bridge North²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly| OR: 127

80/1

Didn't need to improve to get off the mark back in a maiden at Ludlow (21.2f) in January and bettered that form on the back of a wind op when making all at Bangor (19.6f, heavy) last month. This step back up in trip is likely to suit but a big step forward is required to feature.

Form: 3321P1

Crystal Glory⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 131

11/2

Progressive hurdler who scored twice before excellent second in 20f Newcastle novice in January when set too much to do. Progressed again upped in grade/trip when runner-up to Hillcrest in Prestige Novices' Hurdle at Haydock 7 weeks ago and he's clearly a useful staying novice. Respected.

Form: 11-1122

Duke Of Bronte³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

33/1

Useful on Flat (stays 1¾m) for Rod Millman and clearly fitter for hurdling debut after a lengthy absence when getting off the mark at Doncaster last month. Will need to take another step forward to get involved but he's in top hands to do so.

Form: 51

Fair Frontieres¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 134

40/1

Lightly raced ex-Irish 7-y-o who made it 3-4 for his new yard when making all in workmanlike fashion at Exeter (21.6f, soft) 17 days ago. Has the makings of a better chaser but not without each-way hope here.

Form: P/2-1511

Gelino Bello³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 138| C

7/2

Made a winning start over hurdles at Aintree in October and doubled his tally when making all back in novice company at Newbury last month. Remains capable of better now stepping back up in trip so he's one for the shortlist.

Form: 3-12241

Gentleman At Arms²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 134

28/1

Fairly useful Flat stayer who has taken well to hurdling, opening his account at Huntingdon on Boxing Day and completing a straightforward task to double his tally against a pair of inferior rivals back there last month. Likely to stay this far but others have stronger claims.

Form: 51221

Green Book²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 137

14/1

Improver on Flat in 2021 and has continued on the up switched to hurdles, bagging third win in 3m Sandown handicap. Ran creditably to finish fifth in the Albert Bartlett 3 weeks ago (treated for post-race ataxia) but should go well provided this doesn't come too soon.

Form: 11U145

My Bobby Dazzler⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Alex Edwards| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 129| BF| CD

20/1

Maiden/handicap winner at this track and maintained 100% record here upped to 24.7f in December. Found things tougher upped in grade at Doncaster in January (returned with an overreach) and that doesn't bode well for his chances in this.

Form: 174143

Skytastic⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas| OR: 134

11/2

Showed near useful form when winning a brace of bumpers and took his record over hurdles to 2-2 at Ascot 48 days ago, made to work hard to maintain unbeaten. Open to further progress, he's an interesting contender upped in trip.

Form: 11-11

Stag Horn^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Nick Scholfield| T: A Watson| OR: 137

20/1

Smart stayer on the Flat (good record in the mud) who impressed when winning both starts over hurdles, notably Grade 2 at Warwick. Found the company beyond him in Albert Bartlett 3 weeks ago but he's worth another try at this top level.

Form: 11P

Haute Estime⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 125

100/1

Resumed her progress to make it 2-3 over hurdles in 6-runner listed event at Haydock (18.9f) in December but unable to make any impact in Grade 2 company at Sandown next time. Step up in trip a positive but best to look elsewhere.

Form: 4-31414

Forecasts

Banbridge (5/2), Gelino Bello (7/2), Crystal Glory (11/2), Skytastic (11/2), Bold Endeavour (12/1), Green Book (14/1), My Bobby Dazzler (20/1), Stag Horn (20/1), Gentleman At Arms (28/1), Duke Of Bronte (33/1), Fair Frontieres (40/1), Bowtogreatness (40/1), Bridge North (80/1), Haute Estime (100/1)

Having been lightly campaigned since starting with a bang last summer, BANBRIDGE reaped the rewards to add a Cheltenham Festival success to his CV when landing the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham 3 weeks ago. With this Grade 1 looking a sub-standard renewal, Joseph O'Brien's charge can cap a fine first season hurdling. Gelino Bello remains capable of better now stepping back up in trip so he's put forward as the main threat, ahead of the unbeaten Skytastic.