13:55 Aintree

Saturday 11 April 2026

All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0516:0017:00

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

Off time: 13:56 | Winning time: 4m 56.78s

Ballyfad³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 148

11/4

Point winner who landed both bumpers before making successful switch to hurdling at Leopardstown. Improved form in defeat when narrowly denied in Grade 1 at the same course in February and could bounce back from a below-par effort at Cheltenham given yard's excellent record in this race.

Form: 1-11120

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Bossman Jack³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 146

11/4

Impressive in his bumper and confirmed hurdling debut promise with a decisive success in a Ffos Las novice. Comfortably landed the odds at Chepstow next time, before looking at home upped in grade when sixth of 21 in the Baring Bingham at Cheltenham, despite bad mistake at the last. Major player.

Form: 1-3116

Kosac D'oudairies⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 125

33/1

Point/bumper winner who has struck twice over hurdles, defying a penalty in game style in a Catterick novice in January. Good effort when 6½ lengths second of 10 to Montemares in Grade 2 at Kelso 6 weeks ago and this longer distance promises to suit.

Form: 31-1212

Masked Man¹¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Slevin| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 133| D

22/1

Wide-margin point winner who looked a good prospect when scoring easily in a Chepstow novice on hurdling debut. Promising second in Grade 2 at Haydock next time, before having little trouble landing short odds in novice at Lingfield in December. Better still to come.

Form: 1-121

Montemares⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 135| D

5/1

Has quickly developed into a useful novice, making it 3 wins from 4 starts when landing Premier Novices' Hurdle at Kelso 6 weeks ago by 6½ lengths from Kosac d'Oudairies. Has progressed with each run so far and he's well worth another try at this level.

Form: 1141

Onlyforfrankie⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: C Gethings| T: A Ralph| OR: 127

40/1

Bumper winner in Ireland who made a bright start over hurdles for current yard, making it back-to-back wins in a Musselburgh novice in February. However, found things tougher upped in grade when mid-field in the Dovecote at Kempton later the same month.

Form: 173116

Rooster Crowing^b²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: M Seror| OR: 146

40/1

Has plenty of experience over hurdles in France, recording his fourth win of 2025 (also successful on the Flat) in 4-y-o handicap at Compiegne in October. Creditable third of 6 in Group 2 Prix La Barka at Auteuil on his latest outing 20 days ago.

Form: 111513

Scorpio Rising³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 137| D

15/2

Has been most progressive this season, making it 4 from 4 for the campaign when landing 17-runner EBF Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final at Sandown 5 weeks ago. Scored with something to spare last time and it remains to be seen where the ceiling of his ability lies.

Form: 33-1111

Soldier Reeves^t³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Tristan Durrell| T: D Skelton| OR: 146

15/2

Placed in point/bumper before making winning start over hurdles in a Cheltenham maiden in November. Has progressed in defeat in 3 subsequent outings, suited by the step up in trip when fourth in the Baring Bingham back at Cheltenham. Respected with more still to offer.

Form: 2-31234

Zanndabad^t¹³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Daniel King| T: A J Martin| OR: 137| D

40/1

Useful on the Flat and belatedly matched that level over hurdles when easily winning a Sedgefield handicap in October. Followed up back in novice company at Newcastle 6 weeks later, but this is a much tougher ask after 4 months off.

Form: 2/26-211

Charisma Cat^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 132

10/1

3-time bumper winner who opened her hurdles account at the third attempt at Chepstow in January. Improved form fitted with cheekpieces in 2 starts since, relishing the step up to this trip when landing a valuable event on handicap debut at Newbury 3 weeks ago.

Form: 0-22121

Lord Byron^p²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Cobden| T: Faye Bramley| OR: 140

28/1

Runner-up on second of 2 Flat starts for Aidan O'Brien. Yet to hit the target in 4 outings in this sphere but excelled himself at big odds (80/1) when fifth of 20 in the Triumph at Cheltenham. Will need to find more again in this contest, though.

Form: 2445

Non-Runners

Came From Nowhere²²

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: J Scott J: Lorcan Williams

Forecasts

Bossman Jack (11/4), Ballyfad (11/4), Montemares (5/1), Soldier Reeves (15/2), Scorpio Rising (15/2), Charisma Cat (10/1), Masked Man (22/1), Lord Byron (28/1), Kosac D'oudairies (33/1), Came From Nowhere (33/1), Zanndabad (40/1), Onlyforfrankie (40/1), Rooster Crowing (40/1)

BOSSMAN JACK improved further on his first start at the highest level when sixth in the Baring Bingham at Cheltenham and he is taken to resume winning ways with more still to offer at this trip. Gordon Elliott has landed this prize for the last 4 years so Ballyfad is well worth another chance, with Soldier Reeves also in the mix.