14:55 Aintree

Friday 12 April 2024

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

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

Off time: 14:56 | Winning time: 4m 11.57s

Firefox³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 146| D

9/4

Useful, 3-time bumper winner who has reached a smart level over hurdles, successful in a Fairyhouse maiden prior to finishing fourth in Naas Grade 1 in January. Improved again without being seen to best advantage when third in last month's Supreme at Cheltenham and he has to enter the reckoning.

Form: 11-1143

Lookaway^p1⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 136| C| D

20/1

Likeable sort who has shown improved form this season, completing a hat-trick in Cheltenham Grade 2 in October and ran another cracker when second in Challow at Newbury (20.5f) in December. Type to bounce back from below par display in Betfair Hurdle but this looks a tough ask. Cheekpieces on.

Form: 111220

Lump Sum⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas| OR: 135| D

9/1

Won first of 2 starts in bumpers and quick to make his mark over hurdles this term, taking his record to 3 wins from 4 starts with a ready victory in the Grade 2 Dovecote at Kempton (2m) in February. Remains with a good deal of untapped potential.

Form: 13-1121

Mistergif^h³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 141| D

13/2

Fair form in couple of hurdle runs in France but different proposition when making winning start for new yard in maiden at Limerick (2m) in January. Acquitted himself with plenty of credit up in markedly in grade when fifth in last month's Supreme and that unlikely to prove his limit.

Form: 52-15

Mystical Power^h³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 148| D

11/10

5-y-o out of top-class mare Annie Power who has been brought along steadily, landing first 3 starts including Grade 2 Moscow Flyer in January prior to a fine second in first-time hood (retained here) in Supreme last month, outstayed late on. Sound claims with prospect of more to come.

Form: 1112

Personal Ambition⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 131

18/1

Placed in an Irish point and quickly built up a good record over hurdles, looking more polished than previously when landing Grade 1 Premier novices' hurdle at Kelso (18f) 6 weeks ago. Worthy of his place here but further progress required if he's to play a lead role.

Form: 3-1311

Non-Runners

Dysart Enos⁷⁵

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: F O'Brien J: P J Brennan

Golden Ace²⁹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: J Scott J: Lorcan Williams

Forecasts

Mystical Power (11/10), Firefox (9/4), Dysart Enos (5/1), Mistergif (13/2), Lump Sum (9/1), Golden Ace (12/1), Personal Ambition (18/1), Lookaway (20/1)

A son of the illustrious mare Annie Power, MYSTICAL POWER has quickly reached a smart level over hurdles, enhancing his form further when runner-up in last month's Supreme at the Cheltenham Festival, and he looks to hold sound claims of resuming winning ways with the prospect of more to come on the back of just 4 career starts. Firefox, not seen to best effect when a place behind the selection that day, is another of firm interest. Dysart Enos and Golden Ace are others who can feature.