Grade One Liverpool Hurdle Aintree Guide 2023

Experienced Gordon Elliott 11-year-old who took this contest last year, holding off Flooring Porter by just under two lengths when priced at 16/1. Bounced back from some poor 2022/23 form following Aintree victory to win the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month at 33/1, edging out Dashel Drasher and Teahupoo.

A big run is likely if he is in similar form to that Cheltenham success and he has previous winning experience here. Should not be taken lightly.

Nicky Henderson’s experienced 11-year-old Champ arrives at Aintree who has still been digging deep in races in the last year, finishing third in this last year before winning Long Distance Hurdle over 3m at Newbury in November. Maybe a slightly disappointing third when 7/4fav in the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day last year before heading here on Saturday.

He is capable of going well here having been fresh since Christmas, but this is a strong renewal. Wouldn’t for a second rule him out.

Olly Murphy sends Brewin’upastorm to the Liverpool Hurdle after winning Grade Two National Spirit, one and a half lengths ahead of Sceau Royal. Fifth in the Relkeel Hurdle behind a couple of these runners in Dashel Drasher and Marie’s Rock on New Year’s Day but his record at this level means he may struggle back in this company.

Would be a shock if he won here on the back of his form in the last year.

Dan Skelton’s eight-year-old Proschema looked back in better form when landing West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby back in October, ten lengths to Thomas Darby but been below-par since, pulling up in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in November and then fourth of five in Grade Two National Spirit won by Brewin’upastorm in February.

Lots to find in this company and difficult to see him winning this race. Harry Skelton does the steering.

Ten-year-old who is experienced over hurdles and fences, and he has performed admirably in this company over the last few runs. He hasn’t been outside the top three for the last five runs, winning here in November before going over fences to finish second in the Many Clouds chase here a month later.

Form has been impressive this year, coming second to Marie’s Rock in Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham before second again in Cleeve Hurdle and then a narrow runner-up to Sire Du Berlais in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month. A bold showing is likely again from the gutsy 11-year-old.

Nicky Henderson steps Marie’s Rock up in trip here for her first effort at 3m, following a very disappointing display in the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival last month. The eight-year-old was backed into 9/4 before the race, after winning the same contest a year before and winning on both occasions going into the festival at Punchestown and Cheltenham, including against male and female company.

She made no impression towards the end of this year’s Mares’ Hurdle, finishing seventh, so Henderson steps her up to three miles and she’s one that usually doesn’t stay down for long. Has to be in the conversation if she is to bounce back here.

Joseph O’Brien’s Home By The Lee heads to Aintree after finishing fifth in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, hampered by a huge blunder at the sixth, which was impressive given the mistake knocked him way back. Had gone into Cheltenham bang in form, winning Christmas Hurdle over 3m at Leopardstown against some of these and also winning Lismullen Hurdle at Navan in November, again ahead of these rivals.

Not to be taken lightly as he’s sure to perform better than he did at the Cheltenham festival last month.

Gavin Cromwell’s dual Cheltenham Stayers’ Hurdle winner Flooring Porter heads to Aintree after finishing fourth in this year’s Stayers’ at Cheltenham last month, behind Teahupoo, Dashel Drasher and Sire Du Berlais. Finished second to Sire Du Berlais in this last year on his only Aintree appearance.

Never ruled out as he is a proven stayer despite being fourth on his last three runs. Danny Mullins once again takes the ride for what is a strong Liverpool Hurdle this time around.

145-rated hurdler for Paul Nicholls who won Grade One juvenile here in 2021, beating Adagio by seven and a half lengths. Finished a decent second a year later here in the Aintree Hurdle last year, with Epatante claiming victory before three runs over fences prior to Saturday’s Liverpool Hurdle.

Steps up to 3m in this contest and his stamina is unproven. Course form makes him harder to dismiss but this is tougher for him back over hurdles.

Oliver McKiernan’s seven-year-old Meet And Greet makes his Aintree debut after finishing second in the Grade Two Boyne Hurdle over 2m 5f at Navan in February, three lengths behind the returning Blazing Khal. Has otherwise been a bit vulnerable in this type of company, finishing fourth in grade three at Naas in January after third in the Christmas Hurdle when a couple of these were below-par.

Hasn’t won for over a year and it would be a big shock if he was to claim victory here. One of the bigger priced runners who can probably be dismissed.