16:05 Aintree

Thursday 9 April 2026

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

William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 4m 55.14s

1^st

Brighterdaysahead

711-3

13/8f

T: G ElliottJ: Jack Kennedy

Wore red hood to post, raced in second, led 7th, hit 3 out, pushed along after 2 out, ridden out run-in and stayed on well op 2/1 tchd 6/4

2^nd

2 ¼

The New Lion

711-10

9/4

T: D SkeltonJ: Harry Skelton

Tracked leaders, moved into second after 2 out, switched right and shaken up before last where mistake, ridden and no impression run-in op 15/8

3^rd

1 ½

Alexei

611-10

12/1

T: J TizzardJ: Brendan Powell

Towards rear, not fluent 4th, awkward 4 out, took fourth 2 out and pushed along, ridden and ran on run-in, not pace to challenge op 11/1

4^th

Golden Ace

811-3

11/1

T: J ScottJ: Lorcan Williams

Chased leaders on outer, pushed along before 3 out and responded, went second after 3 out, lost position after 2 out, stayed on, no extra flat op 12/1 tchd 10/1

5^th

Potters Charm

711-10

18/1

T: N & W Twiston-DaviesJ: Sam Twiston-Davies

Wore red hood to post, led, not fluent 6th, headed next, remained close up, lost position after 3 out, weakened after 2 out op 14/1

6^th

2 ¼

El Fabiolo

911-10

4/1

T: W P MullinsJ: Paul Townend

Raced keenly in rear, not fluent 3 out, lost touch 2 out tchd 9/2

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Non-Runners

Lucky Place²⁹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: N J Henderson J: N de Boinville

Betting Breakdown

Tote Win:£2.63Pl:£1.40, £1.70EX:£4.90Trifecta:£26.00SF:£5.47Swingers:£1.30, £3.20, £3.80

Forecasts

Brighterdaysahead (13/8), The New Lion (9/4), El Fabiolo (4/1), Golden Ace (11/1), Alexei (12/1), Potters Charm (18/1), Lucky Place (33/1)

There wasn't much between BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD and The New Lion when second and third in the Champion Hurdle last month, where both shaped as if a return to this longer distance will suit. Marginal preference is for Brighterdaysahead, who was an impressive winner of a Grade 1 over C&D as a novice. El Fabiolo probably has a bigger performance in him over hurdles and isn't taken lightly having skipped Cheltenham.

BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD (FR)
THE NEW LION
EL FABIOLO (FR)

Previous Winners

2025

Lossiemouth

Weight: 11-3 |Age: 6

J: Paul Townend | T: W P Mullins

5/4

Prize Money

1st: £140,325.002nd: £52,775.003rd: £26,375.004th: £13,175.005th: £6,625.006th: £3,300.007th: £1,700.008th: £900.009th: £500.0010th: £250.00