13:55 Aintree

Saturday 5 April 2025

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

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

Off time: 13:58 | Winning time: 4m 55.83s

Castle Carrock³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 127

25/1

Bolted up in a bumper at Ayr on debut in November. Subsequently changed hands and created a terrific impression when outpointing the long odds-on Diva Luna over hurdles in 2m Sandown novice. Lost unbeaten record but shaped well when third in Kelso Grade 2 since and remains with potential.

Form: 113

Funiculi Funicula²⁵

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

12/1

Runner-up only start in France in 2023 and looked a very useful prospect starting out for new yard after 15 months off when a ready winner of a Clonmel maiden (17f) in January. However, never got remotely competitive in last month's Supreme.

Form: 2-19

Good And Clever⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 135

12/1

Useful bumper winner who has shown similar form in this sphere, coming in a very good third of 10 to Kopek des Bordes in Grade 1 at Leopardstown (16f, good to soft) on most recent outing. Bred to be suited by the step up in trip and not without each-way hope.

Form: 13-233

Honesty Policy³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: G Elliott| OR: 135

5/1

Confirmed hurdling debut promise when winning 12-runner maiden at Navan (15.7f, heavy) in February and did well under the circumstances to follow up at Leopardstown (2m) last time, having been shuffled back on home turn. Will stay at least 2½m and remains capable of better.

Form: 2211

Horaces Pearl³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien| OR: 135| C

4/1

One of the best around in bumpers last season, signing off with a Grade 2 win here and has made a fine start over hurdles, toying with a last-time-out winner when defying a penalty at Newbury (20.5f) the previous month. Smart prospect and well worth his place at this level.

Form: 1/11-11

Kappa Jy Pyke²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 139

17/2

French bumper winner for D. Satalia who confirmed the promise of his hurdling/stable debut when winning 21-runner maiden at Punchestown (16.9f) in January, around a length up when left clear last. Still in need of the experience upped in grade when sixth in Baring Bingham since and needs more.

Form: 1-216

Koktail Divin³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 137| D

17/2

Dual bumper winner who confirmed the promise of his hurdling debut at the second attempt with victory in 12-runner maiden at Leopardstown (20f, good to soft) 33 days ago, value for extra having been heavily eased down. Likely to improve further now stepping up in grade.

Form: 411-231

Miami Magic⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: S Edmunds| OR: 138| BF| D

5/2

Point winner who shaped well in a bumper and looked good in winning his first 2 starts over hurdles. Improved appreciably up in grade when second in Formby here (17f, soft) on Boxing Day and ran another fine race when filling same spot in the Dovecote (2m). Step up in trip will suit and interesting.

Form: 1-21122

Regent's Stroll^h1³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 134| D

9/1

Useful bumper winner who changed hands for £660,000 before scoring impressively on his Newbury hurdling bow in November. Better form in defeat in the Challow and an Exeter listed event prior to making the most of a good opportunity at Wincanton. May benefit from a first-time hood back up in grade.

Form: 11-1421

Non-Runners

Fingle Bridge⁵⁵

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: O Murphy J: Non Runner

Moon Phases²⁹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: P W Wadge

Lulamba²²

Weight: 10-11| Age: 4

T: N J Henderson J: N de Boinville

Forecasts

Lulamba (1/1), Miami Magic (5/2), Horaces Pearl (4/1), Honesty Policy (5/1), Koktail Divin (17/2), Kappa Jy Pyke (17/2), Regent's Stroll (9/1), Funiculi Funicula (12/1), Good And Clever (12/1), Fingle Bridge (16/1), Castle Carrock (25/1), Moon Phases (100/1)

LULAMBA might have lost his unbeaten record in the Triumph Hurdle, but he enhanced an already lofty reputation in every other respect and, with the step up in trip unlikely to hold any fears given how he rallied in a well-run race at the Festival, he's the clear pick in receipt of 10 lb from all his rivals. Miami Magic is interesting now upped in trip on pedigree having shown useful form and encouraging speed at 2m, while the unbeaten Horaces Pearl and Fingle Bridge others to note.