14:25 Aintree

Saturday 9 April 2022

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

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

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 4m 55.21s

Captain Conby⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: K C Sexton| T: E Sheehy| OR: 137| BF| D

80/1

Progressed again to gain swift compensation for his December mishap when landing 6-runner novice in good style at Punchestown in January. Good third up in grade at Thurles (20.7f) since but this asks for more.

Form: 28-1F13

Colonel Mustard^h1²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: C J Orr| T: L Fowler| OR: 143

12/1

Useful hurdler who boasts some strong novice form and ran a cracker switched to a handicap when third of 26 in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival (16.8f) 22 days ago. Steps up in trip in a first-time hood here and he has to be respected.

Form: 32-1233

Good Risk At All⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas| OR: 137

11/2

Smart in bumpers, winning a brace of listed events. Took a bit longer than expected to click over hurdles but he created an excellent impression when landing a 19.3f Ascot handicap 49 days ago with plenty in hand. Capable of a lot more improvement.

Form: 11-2221

Great Heart'Jac⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 110| BF

200/1

Fairly useful in bumpers and stepped up on his hurdling debut form when narrowly denied in a Doncaster novice (16.6f) in January. Ran to only a similar level at Newbury last time though, so easily passed over in this grade.

Form: 47-2224

Might I⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 135

16/1

Impressive when making successful return/hurdles bow at Newton Abbot. No disgrace in being unable to live with Constitution Hill at Sandown and ran another good race behind Jonbon in the Rossington Main at Haydock last time. Returns with his yard going well and he's another each-way player.

Form: 15-123

Nells Son³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 139

28/1

Useful dual bumper scorer who jumped much better than previously when doubling his hurdles tally in 9-runner Grade 2 at Kelso (18.1f, soft) 35 days ago, by short head from North Lodge. Step back up in trip will suit, and he's not without each-way hope.

Form: 11-1241

North Lodge³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Adrian Heskin| T: A King| OR: 143| BF| C| D

11/2

Son of Presenting who built on his C&D debut win when landing a Grade 2 at Cheltenham at the end of January. Shaped best under a 5 lb penalty when beaten only by a very narrow margin by Nells Son at Kelso and is capable of better still back up in trip.

Form: 112

Stage Star^h1²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 143

17/2

Highly-promising bumper winner who won his first 3 starts over hurdles, including the Grade 1 Challow at Newbury. Folded tamely in the Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival last time though, so has a bit to prove just 3 weeks on from that. Hooded.

Form: 23-111P

Three Stripe Life²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 150

5/2

Fourth in the Champion Bumper last year and very positive start over hurdles, successful at Fairyhouse before a trio of runner-up efforts in Grade 1 company, latest in the Ballymore (21f) at the Cheltenham Festival. Sets the standard and remains unexposed at this trip.

Form: 14-1222

Walking On Air⁸⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

9/2

Well-bred 5-y-o who showed plenty when runner-up in a Kempton bumper and looked potentially smart in making a winning start over hurdles at Newbury (16.3f) in January, jumping fluently and quickening clear from 2 out. Off since but rates an exciting prospect.

Form: 2-1

Elle Est Belle⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 134| C| D

7/1

Useful dual bumper winner who stepped up markedly on hurdles debut form to land listed mares' novice at Newbury in November. Not disgraced behind Jonbon in the Kennel Gate prior to resuming winning ways in the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon (19.6f). Respected.

Form: 32-3141

Saint Riquier^p¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: T Scudamore| T: Ian Williams| OR: 120

250/1

Fair 11f Flat winner in France. Runner-up on 3 of his 6 starts over timber and wasn't disgraced on his handicap debut at Ascot (15.7f) 13 days ago, but he's easily opposed at this level.

Form: 422294

Non-Runners

Harbour Lake²⁷

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: A King J: Tom Cannon

Forecasts

Three Stripe Life (5/2), Walking On Air (9/2), North Lodge (11/2), Good Risk At All (11/2), Elle Est Belle (7/1), Stage Star (17/2), Colonel Mustard (12/1), Might I (16/1), Harbour Lake (25/1), Nells Son (28/1), Captain Conby (80/1), Great Heart'Jac (200/1), Saint Riquier (250/1)

NORTH LODGE, a C&D winner on debut back in December, lost little in defeat when beaten by a very narrow margin by Nells Son under a 5 lb penalty at Kelso last month, and he's a very appealing candidate now back up in trip, especially with the prospect of more to come after just 3 starts. Three Stripe Life sets the standard on his runner-up effort to Sir Gerhard in the Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival, while Good Risk At All and Walking On Air are others to take seriously.