14:25 Aintree 09 Apr 2022
Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle
Grade 1 | GBB Race | Class 1 | 4YO plus
Winner £56,270 - 12 ran
travelled well, chased leaders, steadied after 2nd, closed after 5th, led 3 out, in command from last, stayed on well
held up in rear, headway 3 out, chased winner 2 out, mistake last, no impression on winner, kept on
held up on inside, still towards rear before 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd flat, no impression on winner
mid-division, closed 4th, not fluent 7th, chasing leaders 3 out, weakened before last, left 4th flat
prominent early, chased leaders, lost place before 6th, closed next, outpaced before 3 out, well held after, plugged on from last, left 5th flat
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd, every chance 3 out, soon beaten, weakened next
mid-division on outside, headway before 6th, every chance 3 out, weakened before next
held up towards rear, mistake 4th, headway on outside approaching 3 out, chasing leaders but ridden along when fell 2 out
not always fluent in rear, struggling before 4 out, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
raced keenly, led until 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
raced keenly, not always fluent, handy on inside, mistake 3rd, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway from 7th, 3rd 2 out, not fluent last, weakened into 4th flat, pulled up and collapsed soon after
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| Betfair SP | £3.39 |
| CSF | £46.47 (10, 6) |
| Tricast | £209.54 (10, 6, 8) |
| Win | £3.50 (10) |
| Place | £1.50 (10), £4.20 (6), £2.10 (8) |
| Exacta | £37.00 (6, 10) |
| Trifecta | £203.40 (10, 6, 8) |
Expert Analysis
An up-to-scratch Grade 1 novice hurdle that had gone to My Drogo 12 months earlier, though a few failed to run up to their best for a variety of reasons, the winner likely close to replicating what he did behind Sir Gerhard at Leopardstown and Cheltenham. It was well-run on ground that was predominantly good to soft after some overnight watering, the finishing speed as low as 99.7%.
THREE STRIPE LIFE (h153 here and previously) had no Sir Gerhard to contend with this time and made the most of his rivals’ shortcomings to score in ready fashion, tracking the pace travelling well, leading 3 out and staying on for pressure. He should stay 24f in time and jump a fence.
MIGHT I (h148 here, 146 previously) had probably achieved even more behind Constitution Hill 2 starts ago than it appeared at the time, this confirming that he is very useful and by no means fully exposed still, patiently ridden and travelling well, moving up early in the straight but making a mistake at the last and one-paced. He is one of the best British-based prospects for novice chasing next season.
NORTH LODGE (h143 here, 142 previously) ran creditably while looking a stayer who may deliver even more upped further in trip, mid-field until tapped for toe before the home straight, staying on well without getting in a blow.
NELLS SON (h129 here, 137 previously) ran respectably at best (had beaten North Lodge the time before when receiving weight), left behind from 3 out.
SAINT RIQUIER (h121 here, 120 previously) faced a very stiff task and seemed to run quite well, outpaced before 3 out then sticking to his task.
GOOD RISK AT ALL (h121 here, 139 previously) is best forgiven this, not much wrong with his Ascot win but not in the same form on less-soft ground here. His talented trainer should have something to work with next term.
COLONEL MUSTARD (h107 here, 144 previously) seemed not to stay after going freely and a bit wide, bang there 3 out. His form previously, including against some of the best novices, is easily solid enough to forgive him this.
CAPTAIN CONBY (h? here, 133 previously) had just come under pressure out wide when taking a nasty fall 2 out, likely to have run dropped away somewhat but creditably all the same.
GREAT HEART'JAC (h0 here, 119 previously)
STAGE STAR (h0 here, 147 previously) has gone from promising to disappointing in a trice, jumping well in the lead here but beaten in strides 3 out. His Challow Hurdle win seemed to give him place prospects at least here.
WALKING ON AIR (h0 here, 137+ previously) ran some good splits when winning at Newbury but looked as if he had learned little from the experience, making mistakes and unsurprisingly dropping away.
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Good to Soft | 12 | My Drogo | 6 | 11 4 | - | 2111 | 35 days | D Skelton (117 miles) | Harry Skelton | 5/ 4 | 4:55.36 | |
| 2019 | Good | 9 | Reserve Tank | 5 | 11 4 | - | 3711 | 21 days | C Tizzard (216 miles) | Robbie Power | 20/ 1 | 4:49.80 | |
| 2018 | Soft | 12 | Black Op | 7 | 11 4 | - | 19-4122 | 31 days | T R George (154 miles) | Noel Fehily | 3/ 1 | 5:03.70 | |
| 2017 | Good | 13 | Finian's Oscar | 5 | 11 4 | - | 1111 | 55 days | C Tizzard (216 miles) | Robbie Power | 3/ 1 | 4:51.30 | |
| 2016 | Soft | 6 | Yorkhill | 6 | 11 4 | - | 11-1111 | 24 days | W P Mullins | Paul Townend | 3/ 10 | 5:10.10 | |
| 2015 | Good | 12 | Nichols Canyon | 5 | 11 4 | - | 1-11U13 | 31 days | W P Mullins | Ruby Walsh | 3/ 1 | 4:46.20 | |
| 2014 | Good to Soft | 12 | Lac Fontana | 5 | 11 4 | - | 38-1411 | 22 days | P Nicholls (207 miles) | A P McCoy | 9/ 2 | 4:52.70 | |
| 2013 | Good to Soft | 8 | Ubak | 5 | 11 4 | - | P4-2347 | 24 days | G L Moore (244 miles) | Jamie Moore | 22/ 1 | 5:02.10 | |
| 2012 | Good | 10 | Simonsig | 6 | 11 4 | - | 1-11211 | 31 days | N Henderson (180 miles) | B J Geraghty | 4/ 9 | 4:55.00 | |
| 2011 | Good | 9 | Spirit Son | 5 | 11 4 | - | 1112 | 25 days | N Henderson (180 miles) | B J Geraghty | 3/ 1 | 4:51.60 | |
| 2010 | Good | 8 | Peddlers Cross | 5 | 11 4 | - | 1-1111 | 24 days | D McCain (36 miles) | J Maguire | 5/ 4 | 4:52.40 | |
| 2009 | Good to Soft | 17 | Bouggler | 4 | 10 7 | - | 373131 | 35 days | E Lavelle (187 miles) | Noel Fehily | 16/ 1 | 4:59.60 | |
| 2008 | Good to Soft | 8 | Elusive Dream | 7 | 11 8 | - | 114214 | 39 days | P Nicholls (207 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 7/ 2 | 5:03.50 | |
| 2007 | Good | 10 | Tidal Bay | 6 | 11 5 | - | 2-11122 | 29 days | J H Johnson (126 miles) | Paddy Brennan | 9/ 4 | 4:55.20 | |
| 2006 | Good | 11 | Natal | 5 | 11 3 | - | 511436 | 23 days | P Nicholls (207 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 7/ 2 | 4:52.40 | |
| 2005 | Good to Soft | 10 | Turpin Green | 6 | 11 0 | - | 1133 | 47 days | N Richards (100 miles) | Tony Dobbin | 14/ 1 | 5:11.60 | |
| 2004 | Good | 13 | Garde Champetre | 5 | 11 0 | - | 21225 | 16 days | P Nicholls (207 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 9/ 2 | 4:54.30 | |
| 2003 | Good | 15 | Leinster | 6 | 11 0 | - | 1-3442 | 33 days | D T Hughes | K A Kelly | 12/ 1 | 5:01.10 | |
| 2002 | Good | 12 | Classified | 6 | 11 8 | - | 111114 | 22 days | M Pipe (209 miles) | A P McCoy | 9/ 2 | 4:54.90 |
