13:45 Aintree
Friday 10 April 2026
All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15
William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
- 4YO plus  |  Class 1  |  2m 4f  |  22 Runners  |  Turf
Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
Show odds
SKY BET EXTRA PLACE RACESky Bet paying 6 places instead of 4
Confirmed himself a very useful top-end handicapper when third in this race last year, and he shaped as if retaining plenty of ability on reappearance at Kempton in February. Makes plenty of appeal with the likely strong pace tailor-made for his smooth-travelling style.
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Now only 1 lb higher than when making successful reappearance in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow, though may again find this too competitive, as was the case in the BetMGM Cup at Cheltenham last time.
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Chased home Tutti Quanti in the Gerry Feilden on reappearance prior to being seen to good effect when successful over C&D on Boxing Day. Now pitched into a much deeper race on the back of another breathing operation, but this low-mileage 8-y-o is in excellent hands and cannot be discounted.
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As good as ever when runner-up on return to hurdles at Warwick (21f, soft) in early-February and should appreciate going back up in trip, having struggled to land a blow in a strongly-run Imperial Cup at Sandown last time.
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Impressive winner of William Hill Hurdle at Newbury last year and confirmed herself right back on song (in retained cheekpieces) when third in County at Cheltenham last time. Better than the result on that occasion, too, and she looks interesting returning to 2½m.
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Back to his best when narrow winner of a useful Ascot handicap (19f) but was seemingly undone by a 4 lb rise/more aggressive ride when finishing mid-field in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham.
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Winner of the corresponding race in 2025 who posted a career-best when successful in competitive 14-runner handicap at Uttoxeter last time, going one better than the year previous. That bodes well for his defence of this crown, and he cannot be ruled out despite a 5 lb rise.
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Arrives on the back of another storming run in the Martin Pipe, coming from further back than ideal to finish fifth, and should be seen to good effect off a likely strong pace here.
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Useful Grade 1 novice hurdle winner in 2023/24 who went with more encouragement than on his return when sixth behind Fiercely Proud at Ascot in mid-February, though it's hard to be confident he retains all his ability.
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Six-figure point purchase won pair of 2½m novices (soft/heavy) prior to flying too high in Grade 1 Albert Bartlett. Goes handicapping now and his mark looks stiff.
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Useful novice last season, who having failed to take to chasing, shaped better than the distance beaten (following a second breathing operation), when eighth of 17 in the Morebattle in late-February. Should find this trip much more his bag.
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Useful Flat performer reversed Ascot form with subsequent County winner Wilful when successful at Windsor in January and bounced straight back to his best when excellent second in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham. That performance can be marked up, and he needs considering.
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Useful sort but he found the County Hurdle too competitive last time, and it's hard to imagine a step up in trip (struggled beyond 17f over fences) will bring about the requisite improvement.
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2023 County Hurdle winner arrives on an ever-growing losing run, but he retains more ability aged 11 than a cursory glance at this season's exploits might suggest, doing best of those held up when third in William Hill Hurdle in early-February.
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Tends to save his best for Cartmel (three-time winner of valuable June handicap there), and he's more than likely one for another day.
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Former Fred Winter winner came agonisingly close to making it back-to-back victories in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham last time, and he should give his running back up in trip from appreciably lower hurdles mark.
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Useful hurdler in France who rallied to land a 14-runner handicap at Pau (17f) on final start for J-P. Daireaux in December. Well worth another go over 2½m on that evidence and could be favourably treated on debut for yard with tremendous record in top-end handicaps.
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Developed into a useful performer for Donncha Duggan in Ireland and caught the eye when finishing mid-field on stable debut in the Martin Pipe latest, powering into contention before 5-month absence seemingly told. Could outrun his odds for yard recently off the cold list.
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Continued theme of race-by-race progression when chasing home subsequent (impressive) winner Scorpio Rising in strong novice at Windsor but was let down by his jumping in the Imperial Cup last time. Return to longer trip could help, though.
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Beat a couple of subsequent winners to land 4-timer on handicap bow at Ascot in November. The form of his Kempton second the following month has worked out well, too, and this unexposed sort could be interesting if seeing out the longer trip.
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Creditable fifth in this race last year and ran about as well as could be expected (having taken strong hold) when ninth of 24 in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham. Tongue strap back on but losing run continues to grow.
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Only fair on Flat but proved a progressive 4-time winner over hurdles last summer. Shaped as though worth a try over further when sixth of 12 in 2m Grade 2 novice at Cheltenham on latest start in October, but Sean Bowen looks elsewhere on this occasion.
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Forecasts
Indeevar Bleu (9/2), Hot Fuss (6/1), Joyeuse (7/1), Emid'io Pepe (15/2), Wellington Arch (8/1), Jazzy Matty (10/1), Favour And Fortune (10/1), Trustintimes (14/1), Ike Sport (16/1), Act Of Authority (16/1), Top Jimmy (16/1), Sir Galahad (20/1), Captain Teague (20/1), Fiercely Proud (25/1), Swindon Village (25/1), Fingle Bridge (25/1), Faivoir (33/1), Ballykinlar (33/1), Jet To Vegas (33/1), Fiveonefive (50/1), Rambo T (66/1), Bowmore (66/1)
A case can be made for plenty, but this sets up perfectly for last year's third FAVOUR AND FORTUNE, who is entitled to come on a good deal for his return at Kempton. He's narrowly preferred to Joyeuse, following her eye-catching third in the County. French recruit Emid'io Pepe is afforded plenty of respect on first start for Dan Skelton, with Jazzy Matty also considered after his near-miss in the Grand Annual.
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £42,202.002nd: £15,900.003rd: £7,958.004th: £3,975.005th: £1,995.006th: £998.007th: £495.008th: £255.00
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