14:55 Aintree

Friday 4 April 2025

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

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

Off time: 14:57 | Winning time: 3m 56.84s

Jet To Vegas^t³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 137| D

14/1

Easy winner sole outing in Irish points and having got off the mark at the third attempt over hurdles when landing an Ayr maiden, showed much improved form when upped in grade/trip next time, quickening up to land a Grade 2 novice at Kelso (18f) last month. Should not be underestimated.

Form: 122211

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Joltin N Jiving⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 120

150/1

£40,000 Irish point winner shaped well when runner-up on hurdle debut at Bangor in November and off the mark in style subsequently, quickening clear to land a Carlisle novice (2m1f) 46 days ago. Faces up to a much tougher assignment now stepped up markedly in class.

Form: C-121

Karbau²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140| D

33/1

French bumper winner was all the better for yard/hurdles debut run at Naas in December when an authoritative winner (backed up by the timefigure) of a Punchestown maiden (2m, heavy) in January. Well-held on better ground in the Supreme Novices' last month and looks to be the Mullins second-string.

Form: 2-1410

Romeo Coolio²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 150| D

2/1

Last season's Champion Bumper runner-up was a clear-cut winner of a Leopardstown Grade 1 (2m) over Christmas and enhanced his reputation when third to Kopek des Bordes in the Supreme at Cheltenham, jumping slickly but unable to live with the winner's turn of foot. That form sets the standard.

Form: 2-51213

Royal Infantry⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 134| BF| DWS

28/1

Point/bumper winner looked a smart prospect when showing plenty of speed to run away with an introductory hurdle at Haydock (15.6f) in December but beaten odds-on favourite in a Grade 2 at the same venue the following month. Had wind surgery since but this looks tough even if back on his A-game.

Form: 118-114

Rubber Ball⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 128| D

40/1

Irish point winner has progressed in 4 starts over hurdles, landing the second leg of a double at Newbury (16.3f) in a race that brought his stamina into play. Looks the type to go on improving, especially over longer trips, but this represents a huge step up in class.

Form: 153311

Salvator Mundi^t²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 142| D

7/2

Midfield in last season's Triumph Hurdle on only second career start before notching a double over hurdles, the latter a workmanlike display in the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer on reappearance. Arrives on the back of a respectable fifth in the Supreme but has a bit to find with Romeo Coolio.

Form: 2/6-115

Tripoli Flyer⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 142| D

7/4

Improved in bumpers last season and highly progressive sent hurdling this time around, taking rise in class in his stride when bringing up the hat-trick in Grade 2 Dovecote at Kempton (2m), though bled and his tendency to jump right is a slight concern. Unexposed and could well be more to come.

Form: 12-2111

Diva Luna²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 134| C

14/1

2-2 in bumpers, including a Grade 2 at this course last season. Off the mark over hurdles at Cheltenham (20.2f) on New Year's Day and showed her best form to date when third in the Dawn Run at Cheltenham last time. Should give another good account but faces tougher task taking on the boys.

Form: 11-2123

Non-Runners

Blues Singer⁴¹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 5

T: A King J: James Bowen

Forecasts

Tripoli Flyer (7/4), Romeo Coolio (2/1), Salvator Mundi (7/2), Jet To Vegas (14/1), Diva Luna (14/1), Royal Infantry (28/1), Karbau (33/1), Rubber Ball (40/1), Blues Singer (100/1), Joltin N Jiving (150/1)

Third in last month's Supreme, a race which certainly looked up to standard, ROMEO COOLIO is the standout on form and he can record a second Grade 1 success. The fly in the ointment could be the improving Tripoli Flyer who arrives on the back of a hat-trick and could be fresher than some of his rivals having bypassed the Cheltenham Festival. Fifth in the Supreme, Salvator Mundi is consistent, and he can fill the frame.