15:05 Aintree

Saturday 13 April 2024

All13:2013:5514:3015:0516:0017:0017:35

JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 6m 15.71s

Botox Has^p⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 152

18/1

Second success in Grade 2s this season when bounding clear in the Rendlesham at Haydock (heavy) 8 weeks ago, jumping a lot better for once. Remains a bit below the best in this division but not a big surprise to see him go well if keeping the mistakes down.

Form: 74-1661

Buddy One³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: J G Gilligan| T: P J Gilligan| OR: 155

15/2

Dual handicap hurdle winner on heavy at up to 3m this season and surpassed expectations when fourth, beaten 8¼ lengths, in the Stayers' Hurdle last month. Ran well in handicap at this meeting last year.

Form: 3115P4

Champ^p1⁷⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: N J Henderson| OR: 156| CD

20/1

Very talented hurdler/chaser in his prime (won the Sefton over C&D in 2019) but comfortably held in Long Walk Hurdle and Cleeve Hurdle both starts this season. Another from out-of-form stable to swerve Cheltenham and probably best watched despite good record fresh. First-time cheekpieces.

Form: 3/135-45

Crambo^t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 157| C

13/2

Has progressed through the ranks over hurdles and had Dashel Drasher and Champ in behind when edging out Paisley Park in Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December. Well held in the Stayers' Hurdle last month though and needs to bounce back.

Form: 17-1319

Dashel Drasher³⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 156| C

11/1

Tough and likeable sort who edged out the penalised Paisley Park to win Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in December. Well held in last month's Stayers' Hurdle though and plenty on his plate again here.

Form: 6-31348

Flooring Porter^t³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 159| D

3/1

Won the Stayers' Hurdle in 2021 and 2022 and also twice placed behind Sire du Berlais in this. Fared best of all these when second to Teahupoo at Cheltenham last month, running right up his best, and another big effort on the cards.

Form: 3-91332

Hewick^p¹⁰⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Jordan Gainford| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 155| D

10/1

Career-best effort though was fortunate as he landed the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, his rider's perseverance paying off as the race fell apart after Shishkin's stumble 2 out. Not as good over hurdles and others make more appeal for the win.

Form: 1F1-401

Hiddenvalley Lake⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 151

5/1

Lightly-raced hurdler who was much improved as he landed a gamble in the Grade 2 Boyne (21f, heavy) at Navan 9 weeks ago, plenty to admire in how quickly he settled things. Unexposed and interesting back up in trip.

Form: 1129-F1

Monkfish²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 154

8/1

Has 2 Cheltenham Festival wins to his name but he's had very little racing in the last 3 years and couldn't build on his successful return over hurdles when pulled up in the Gold Cup (bled). Can only be watched after that.

Form: 12/29-1P

Strong Leader⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 150| C

8/1

Smart novice hurdler last season (won 3 times at 2m and second in the Top Novices' at this meeting). Solid effort again on first go over 3m when third in the Cleeve at Cheltenham in first-time cheekpieces 11 weeks ago, not jumping well yet seeing things out thoroughly. This is tougher.

Form: 92-0243

Non-Runners

Proschema³⁶⁴

Weight: 11-10| Age: 9

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Sire Du Berlais³⁰

Weight: 11-10| Age: 12

T: G Elliott J: Mark Walsh

Forecasts

Flooring Porter (3/1), Hiddenvalley Lake (5/1), Sire Du Berlais (11/2), Crambo (13/2), Buddy One (15/2), Strong Leader (8/1), Monkfish (8/1), Hewick (10/1), Dashel Drasher (11/1), Botox Has (18/1), Champ (20/1), Proschema (66/1)

A couple of the regulars can come to the fore again, with FLOORING PORTER taken to land this prize for the first time following a mighty effort in the Stayers' Hurdle. Sire du Berlais, seeking a third straight win in this, seems sure to go well after flying home at Cheltenham. Hiddenvalley Lake impressed when winning the Boyne 9 weeks ago and is an interesting alternative given his lightly-raced profile.