16:40 Aintree

Friday 4 April 2025

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

Oddschecker Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 6m 11.86s

Argento Boy²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 137

17/2

Debut bumper winner who wasted no time getting back on track when easily landing the odds in 23.3f Punchestown maiden in February. However, was well held taking a significant step up in grade in the Spa at the Festival 3 weeks ago.

Form: 0-62P10

Battle Born Lad⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 134

13/2

Just fair form when placed all 3 starts in bumpers but has already surpassed that form in just 2 starts over hurdles, following up his Hexham novice win in Haydock Grade 2 (24.3f) in February, having run of race. Open to further improvement.

Form: 32-311

Califet En Vol⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 137

3/1

Shaped encouragingly sole outing in bumpers and looked a smart prospect when bolting on Kempton hurdle debut. Second to subsequent Grade 1 winer The New Lion in the Challow before doing well to resume winning ways in the Sidney Banks (19.6f). Step up to sure to suit and he's an appealing candidate.

Form: 23-121

Crest Of Fortune^t1²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 125

25/1

Bumper winner who made a winning start over hurdles at Ffos Las. Defied a penalty after a few short-priced reversals in 5-runner event at Ayr (20.4f) last month but looks vulnerable stepping up to this level.

Form: 5-12221

Jacob's Ladder⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 138

15/2

Bumper winner who struck at the second time of asking over hurdles in 4-runner Navan maiden (20f, soft) in January. Relished the emphasis on stamina as he followed up in a higher grade at Naas (20f) since and is likely to progress further now upped to 3m. Leading contender.

Form: 217511

Julius Des Pictons⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 127

14/1

French recruit who has advanced his form for his current handler, landing novice hurdles at Plumpton (2m4f) and Chepstow (2m) in December. Shaped well when third of 6 in an Exeter listed event (16.7f) since and is worth a try at this appreciably longer trip.

Form: 22-2113

King Of Answers²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Craig Nichol| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 124| BF

40/1

Point runner-up who was third at Bangor only start in bumpers and proved a different proposition to on hurdling debut when winning 13-runner maiden at Newcastle (20.3f) in February. However, proved a disappointment under a penalty at Uttoxeter and looks sets for a struggle up markedly in class.

Form: 623-614

Minella Rescue¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: S Bowen| T: G Hanmer| OR: 121

50/1

Dual bumper winner who made it third time lucky over hurdles in 2¾m Stratford novice in May. Has shown similar form in defeat since, including when not seen to best effect in a steadily-run affair on handicap debut at Haydock on most recent outing, but has lots to find at this level.

Form: 43-1423

Mister Meggit^t1¹⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| C

7/2

Looked very good when winning first 2 bumpers. Suffered interference when well beaten in a Grade 2 bumper here last spring but made a winning hurdling debut in stylish fashion back at this venue in the autumn. Not seen since but seems sure to go on to better things.

Form: 110-1

Moon Rocket^p1⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 134| BF

16/1

Irish point winner who created good impression when winning maiden at Doncaster and novice at Southwell first 2 starts over hurdles. Narrowly denied in River Don at Doncaster (24.4f) before finding Battle Born Lad too good in a similar event at Haydock. Needs more in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 61-1122

Western Knight⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 132

25/1

Overcame inexperience to win novice hurdles at Uttoxeter and Ascot before finishing second in 6-runner Grade 2 novice at Cheltenham (3m). However, was beaten when unseating his rider in River Don at Doncaster on most recent outing and this is even tougher.

Form: 2/7-112U

Familiar Dreams²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 140

6/1

Useful in bumpers and got off the mark over hurdles at the second attempt in workmanlike fashion in maiden at Punchestown (20.1f, heavy, 6/4) in February. Followed up in Grade 3 at Limerick (22.7f) since and open to further improvement.

Form: 11-1311

Holloway Queen⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 127| BF

22/1

£180,000 buy after finishing second in an Irish point and made a promising start to her Rules career, winning Lingfield maiden in November and Haydock listed novice (19f, heavy) in December. Below expectations in Grade 2 Jane Seymour last time and needs to resume her progress now upped to 3m.

Form: 2-114

Non-Runners

Jet Blue²¹

Weight: 11-8| Age: 6

T: D Cottin J: Non Runner

Jupiter Des Mottes²⁷

Weight: 11-8| Age: 6

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: P W Wadge

Laganhill³⁴

Weight: 11-8| Age: 7

T: H D Daly J: Stan Sheppard

Forecasts

Califet En Vol (3/1), Mister Meggit (7/2), Familiar Dreams (6/1), Battle Born Lad (13/2), Jet Blue (15/2), Jacob's Ladder (15/2), Argento Boy (17/2), Julius Des Pictons (14/1), Moon Rocket (16/1), Holloway Queen (22/1), Crest Of Fortune (25/1), Western Knight (25/1), Jupiter Des Mottes (25/1), Laganhill (33/1), King Of Answers (40/1), Minella Rescue (50/1)

CALIFET EN VOL finished with a notable late flourish to come out on top over an inadequate test in the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon and, with his previous second to The New Lion reading extremely well in light of that one's Cheltenham Festival exploits, Nicky Henderson's 6-y-o makes plenty of appeal now stepping up to 3m. There's surely more to come from Grade 3 winner Jacob's Ladder on his first try at a staying trip, with Mister Meggit another to note following his stylish win in the autumn.