Grade One Mersey Novices' Hurdle Aintree Guide 2023

114-rated hurdler who has had five runs over obstacles, winning one of those at Bangor-on-Dee in a class four race. Has since not finished twice in a row, pulling up at Leicester and unseating Tabitha Worsley at Bangor-on-Dee last month at class three level.

Able to be dismissed on that recent form and faces a tough assignment.

Eight-year-old Letsbeclearaboutit arrives at Aintree having finished a decent fourth in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, finishing behind Sandor Clegane, Affordable Fury and winner Stay Away Fay. Hasn’t spent any time outside of the top four over hurdles and hasn’t done too badly in graded company too.

Arrives here off 144, seven lbs up from his last run and could run a good race, more each-way claims than a chance of winning.

Willie Mullins sends Dark Raven to the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle after finishing sixth in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last month at the Cheltenham festival. Was third at the Dublin Racing Festival in February, where favourite Facile Vega flopped, and his only win came in Leopardstown maiden back in December.

Has the ability to make his mark in this company but is yet to fulfil his potential so far. One to watch here and could go well in the hands of Paul Townend.

Gordon Elliott sends two for this race in the form of Irish Point and Cool Survivor. Cool Survivor comes here on the back of finishing a disappointing 15th in the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham festival. Hasn’t tasted success since winning Cork listed event over 3m back in November last year and has been inconsistent since that win, failing to get close on a couple of occasions.

Rachael Blackmore is booked to ride by Elliott here in a race where it would be surprising if he came out with a victory. Others make more appeal.

Six-year-old Hallwood arrives as the big outsider for this contest, at around 66/1 following a couple of runs over hurdles. Seventh on hurdling debut at Chepstow, before landing Carlisle class four maiden in February, beating Diamond De Vindecy by 11 lengths at 40/1.

This requires a lot more and the gelding may struggle in this sphere.

Progressive type for Jonjo O’Neill who has been in decent form over the last year or so, winning three hurdle contests at Carlisle, Ascot and Wetherby while also finishing third in Cheltenham grade two over 2m in November last year.

His wins have come at a lower level than this but performed well when upped in class so shouldn’t be dismissed on just his second run in graded company. Interesting runner who could go close at around 8/1.

Gary Moore’s six-year-old Authorised Speed makes his Aintree debut here on the back of four hurdle runs, which have yielded three wins and a fifth-place finish. The only blemish on his hurdling record came when upped in class to the Grade One Tolworth Novices’ hurdle, where he finished fifth behind the likes of Tahmuras and Colonel Harry.

Potent at lesser levels than this but that graded outing should do him good back in this company. Others are preferred, though.

Mofasa has been declared for two races at Aintree, the Sefton Novices’ Chase and the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle on Saturday. Mofasa arrives at Aintree after finishing third in the Classic Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in January, behind Pembroke and Rock My Way.

Needs to find a lot more on recent form if landing a blow at the Grand National meeting despite a couple of decent runs recently.

Paul Nicholls sends six-year-old Hermes Allen to the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle after a disappointing run in the Ballymore at the Cheltenham festival last month. The gelding finished sixth, after being backed into 9/4fav as Impaire Et Passe claimed victory. Before that, he had been unbeaten over hurdles for Nicholls, winning at Stratford, Cheltenham and career-best at Newbury in testing conditions in December, winning the Grade One Challow.

Challow form into Cheltenham has not always been the best so the last run can be excused, and he will be looking to bounce back on his first appearance at Aintree. Should go close if putting that run behind him.

Fergal O’Brien sends the in-form six-year-old Crambo to the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle with a near-perfect career record, having won five of his six runs so far. After winning two bumpers, Crambo won at Ascot before being pulled up in tough conditions at Newbury in the Grade One Challow before winning at Bangor-on-Dee in February.

Most recently landed Sandown handicap last month, half a length ahead of Gary Moore’s Inneston before being sent to Aintree. Weighted to go well and well worth an each-way bet at 16’s.

Gordon Elliott has two in this contest, with Cool Survivor and Irish Point. Irish Point heads here after winning Naas grade three last time out at 1/4fav, which suggests that level is a bit below him, but he only won narrowly. Has failed to make his mark at this fourth, second and second again when running in grade ones and others make more appeal on that form.

Arrives here up six lbs from that victory last time out but has a bit to find back in grade one company.

Six-year-old mare for Jamie Snowden who is fresh from landing the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle over 2m at the Cheltenham festival last month, beating the likes of Magical Zoe and Luccia in the process. The six-year-old has a near perfect record over hurdles, winning four of her five starts over obstacles with back-to-back grade two victories.

Is improving with every run and must be going close here on recent form. Another tough assignment awaits stepping into grade one company, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see her do well.

Five-year-old Blow Your Wad arrives at Aintree after winning two of his last three races, triumphing at Kempton in November before finishing sixth in the Grade One Tolworth at Sandown in January, a place behind fellow runner Authorised Speed.

Bounced back to win at Newbury back at class three level before heading here. Tough assignment back up in class for Tom Lacey’s gelding.

Dan Skelton sends six-year-old mare Kateira to the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree after winning all three starts over hurdles in her career so far. Has improved with each run, winning at Uttoxeter and Huntingdon at class four level before stepping up to win Market Rasen novice last time out by 19 lengths.

Tougher test here up in class but is well weighted to do well and shouldn’t be dismissed, although this is a much harder race.

Nigel Twiston-Davies sends 118-rated hurdler Uncle Bert to Aintree following his first career win in Warwick maiden last month at class four level. He has only run at that level in his career, going close on a couple of occasions to finish second at Sandown and Ffos Las (twice).

Tough ask for him to go close here and is a long way away on the ratings to the market leaders. Would be a very surprising winner.