Grade One 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle Guide 2022

Harry Haskell | @HarryHaskell4

Aintree - April 06 2022
Aintree 13:20
7
Davy Russell

Pied Piper

J: Davy Russell
T: Gordon Elliott
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 11-0
OR: 145
Days: 20

Unbeaten and impressive over hurdles until suffering defeat at the hands of the Vauban in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

That was a massive effort and the Triumph form looks good and solid. The first three pulled well clear of the others and he should be able to improve again. He comes here with the best level of form and should be the one to beat.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
28/04/23PUN16Y11-126
17/03/23CHL17Sft11-132
05/02/23LEO16Y11-124
29/12/22LEO16Sft11-125
04/11/22DRO17Y/Sft11-101
Aintree - April 06 2022
Aintree 13:20
8
Harry Skelton

Too Friendly

J: Harry Skelton
T: Dan Skelton
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 11-0
OR: 126
Days: 23

His latest 5th placed effort reads well in the context of this, just over 4L to Brazil in the Boodles (Fred Winter at Cheltenham).

You can assume Cheltenham wouldn't have really played to this horses' strengths, and that he should be more at home on a track like this. Previously progressive, he can improve again and outrun his large odds.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
22/07/23MAR16.5Sft11-101
02/07/23CRT17GS10-132
04/06/23FAK16Gd11-71
15/05/23STH16Gd12-13
24/04/23KEM16GS11-113
Aintree - April 06 2022
Aintree 13:20
5
Paddy Brennan

Knight Salute

J: Paddy Brennan
T: Milton Harris
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 11-0
OR: 138
Days: 20

Unbeaten over hurdles until last time out where finishing 9/12 in the Triumph hurdle (which looked a cracking renewal).

He was tenderly ridden when his chance had clearly gone so hopefully he won't have left much of himself at Cheltenham. He did make a few novicey mistakes but ultimately looked outclassed. Has to bounce back.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
22/10/22CHL16.5Gd11-82
07/04/22AIN17GS11-01
18/03/22CHL17GS11-09
26/02/22KEM16GS11-31
11/12/21DON16.5GS11-31
Aintree - April 06 2022
Aintree 13:20
1
Mark Walsh

Brazil

J: Mark Walsh
T: Padraig Roche
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 11-0
OR: 144
Days: 23

Impressive winner of the Boodles (Fred Winter) at the Cheltenham festival, beating the well touted Gaelic Warrior, despite some misfortune in running.

He was hampered a hand full of times and he still managed to out battle the clearly well-in Gaelic Warrior up the famous hill.

That was a fantastic performance and he's clearly still improving, this track should play to his strengths too, he's a massive player.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
04/08/23GAL12Gd/Y8-71
03/08/23GAL16Gd/Y11-4PU
17/07/23KLN8Y9-58
25/04/23PUN16.5Y/Sft11-914
05/04/23LEO10Hy10-210
Aintree - April 06 2022
Aintree 13:20
2
Daryl Jacob

Impulsive One

J: Daryl Jacob
T: Nicky Henderson
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 11-0
OR: 130
Days: 40

Impulsive One ran out a ready winner of the Scottish Triumph Hurdle but then failed to build on that next time out in the Adonis Juvenile hurdle G2, at Kempton.

He'll need to step up on that effort to reverse the form with Knight Salute, and even then he'll have to improve to reach the level of some of the other horses in this field.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
25/07/23STH16Gd11-103
17/06/23YOR12GF9-1310
09/06/23MAR20.5Gd11-63
19/05/23AIN20Gd11-84
17/03/23CHL20.5Sft11-0PU
Aintree - April 06 2022
Aintree 13:20
3
Jamie Hamilton

Inca Prince

J: Jamie Hamilton
T: Ruth Jefferson
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 11-0
OR: 126
Days: 13

Ruth Jefferson, the trainer of Inca Prince is in flying form at the minute, as is his rider, Jamie Hamilton. For red hot connections he's hard to dismiss, but his form this year leaves a lot to be desired.

Progressing through the handicap ranks, he's done nothing really but improve, though this looks a cut above the level he's been racing at thus far this season.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
04/08/23BAN19.5Gd11-105
19/05/23AIN20Gd10-65
28/04/23PER16Sft11-133
13/02/23CAT15.5Gd11-65
04/02/23MUS15.5GS10-106
Aintree - April 06 2022
Aintree 13:20
6
Jonjo O'Neill Jr

Petit Tonnerre

J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr
T: Jonjo O'Neill
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 11-0
OR: 138
Days: 44

Battled hard and overcame novicey jumping when taking a Market Rasen handicap hurdle. He had previously won 2/3 races in France (unbeaten over hurdles).

It's hard to gauge how good he is, but he'll certainly need to improve significantly on his effort last time out. 

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
17/03/23CHL17Sft10-137
18/02/23ASC19.5GS11-125
14/01/23KEM21Sft11-8PU
26/11/22NBY20.5Gd12-02
23/10/22AIN20GS11-73
Aintree - April 06 2022
Aintree 13:20
4
Jamie Moore

In The Air

J: Jamie Moore
T: Gary Moore
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 11-0
OR: 127
Days: 34

In The Air's ability is hard to quantify, having only ran one in this country. He had two French starts, and moved to the Gary Moore yard shortly after his win in Auteuil.

He ran out a ready winner of his first and only GB start on soft ground, though the form is questionable. For a trainer who does well with his French recruits, he's hard to completely write off but he may not be up to this task yet.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
20/03/23TAU16.5GS11-52
18/11/22ASC15.5GS10-76
19/10/22FON19Gd11-11F
07/04/22AIN17GS11-06
04/03/22NBY16.5Sft11-51
Aintree - April 06 2022
Aintree 13:20
9
Charlie Deutsch

Fautinette

J: Charlie Deutsch
T: Venetia Williams
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 10-7
OR: N/A
Days: 322

Unbeaten in 3 hurdle races in France on heavy ground, he's not yet ran for her new connections. Though the form is hard to assess, there's a massive question mark with regards ground.

With a pedigree that favours dig, and her form all on heavy ground, she might not like the forecast ground, though her ability is there for all to see. She's a fascinating contender. 

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
28/01/23CHL17Sft9-1114
07/01/23SAN20Sft11-4PU
07/04/22AIN17GS10-7PU
20/05/21VIC16.5Hy10-81
07/05/21VIC17.5Hy10-61