15:00 Aintree

Saturday 15 April 2023

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

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

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 4m 50.05s

Authorised Speed³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 133| D

12/1

Hasn't always looked the most fluent but clearly possesses plenty of ability, scoping dirty when well held in the Tolworth but winning other 3 starts over obstacles. Retains potential but no margin for error in this company.

Form: 45-1151

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Blow Your Wad^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 132

22/1

Useful in bumpers without looking totally straightforward and got the mark over hurdles at second attempt in 2m Kempton novice in November. Disappointed in the Tolworth but combination of a wind op and a tongue tie enabled him to get back on track in no uncertain terms when winning handicap latest.

Form: 24-2161

Cool Survivor²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: G Elliott| OR: 140| BF

50/1

Fair form in bumpers and won first 2 starts over hurdles, including in listed company. Took his form up a notch when fourth in Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novices' Hurdle at Leopardstown but he failed badly to meet market expectations in the Martin Pipe.

Form: 611240

Crambo^t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien| OR: 131| D

20/1

Impressed when winning 2 bumpers last season. Wasn't foot perfect but class got him through on hurdles debut at Ascot. Disappointing when pulled up in the Challow at Newbury over Christmas but straight back on track with a tongue tie fitted when winning a novice/valuable handicap in recent weeks.

Form: 11-1P11

Dark Raven³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 145

10/3

Looked a top prospect when winning both bumpers in 2021. Off the track a while after but expertly prepared to make a winning hurdles debut in December and better form in defeat after, third in the Grade 1 Brave Inca before finishing sixth in the Supreme. Just about sets the standard up in trip.

Form: 11/136

Hallwood^t⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: M G Rimell

200/1

Different proposition on the back of a wind op when making second hurdles start a winning one in maiden company at Carlisle in February. Pedigree strongly suggests this trip will suit but this is a huge ask.

Form: 8/71

Hermes Allen^t³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 150| BF

3/1

Successful on second of 2 starts in Irish points and coped very well with a truly-run race as he made it 3-3 in this sphere with a scintillating performance in the Challow at Newbury (20.5f, soft) in December. That form has stood up well but he was disappointing in the Ballymore.

Form: 31-1116

Irish Point³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 148

5/1

Winner of a warm French bumper and landed the odds without too much fuss on hurdles debut at Cork in November. Smart form when runner-up next 2 starts and made most of big drop in class at Naas last month. Should have more to offer over this sort of trip.

Form: 1-12241

Letsbeclearaboutit²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 144

14/1

Talented triple-bumper winner who made the most of a big drop in grade when landing the odds in maiden company at Punchestown in January (24.5f). Ran a belter when fourth in The Albert Bartlett and way he travelled that day suggests drop in trip won't be a problem.

Form: 1/24214

Springwell Bay²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 140| D

11/1

Smart bumper performer in 2021 and looks every bit as good over hurdles, completing a simple task with the minium of fuss at Wetherby 3 weeks ago. Limit not yet reached and well worth a shot at this level.

Form: 2/1-1311

Stony Man²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: G Hanmer| OR: 114

250/1

Has a just a maiden win to his name and failed to complete last 2 outings. Out of his depth.

Form: 345-1PU

Uncle Bert²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 118

80/1

Plenty about him physically and strong at the finish when landing 12-runner maiden hurdle at Warwick 3 weeks ago. Trip should be within range but dominating this field a different undertaking.

Form: 22241

Kateira⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 128

14/1

Fairly useful in bumpers and improved a chunk in all 3 hurdles outings against her own sex, completing the hat-trick with the minium of fuss at Market Rasen in February. Given a short break and isn't one to underestimate despite big jump in class.

Form: 15-111

You Wear It Well³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 142| D

13/2

Bumper winner who is developing a superb record over hurdles, her sole defeat coming at the hands of Hermes Allen and she travelled with notable zest in the Dawn Run. Genuine and likeable mare who is a danger to all back up in distance.

Form: 1-11211

Non-Runners

Mofasa¹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: M Scudamore J: Luca Morgan

Forecasts

Hermes Allen (3/1), Dark Raven (10/3), Irish Point (5/1), You Wear It Well (13/2), Springwell Bay (11/1), Authorised Speed (12/1), Kateira (14/1), Letsbeclearaboutit (14/1), Crambo (20/1), Blow Your Wad (22/1), Mofasa (33/1), Cool Survivor (50/1), Uncle Bert (80/1), Hallwood (200/1), Stony Man (250/1)

This is very open and while SPRINGWELL BAY hasn't quite achieved as much as some of these, he's a smashing prospect with the obvious scope to rate higher. He can take the step up in grade in his stride at the chief expense of Dark Raven and You Wear It Well, though Hermes Allen is also very dangerous if back to the level he attained in the Challow.