Grade One Sefton Novices' Hurdle Guide 2022

Harry Haskell | @HarryHaskell4

Aintree - April 07 2022
Aintree 15:40
6
Harry Skelton

Duke Of Bronte

J: Harry Skelton
T: Dan Skelton
N/A
Age: 8
Weight: 11-7
OR: N/A
Days: 34

A winner last time out at Doncaster, in an uncompetitive 5 runner field over just shy of 2 and a half miles. He did win that easily on soft ground, though this flat recruit is not a guarantee at this longer trip.

He does lack experience, having only contested twice over hurdles. He will need to prove he stays, and has the ability to mix it at this level.

Lots of question marks. 

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
08/04/22AIN24.5GS11-713
05/03/22DON19.5Sft11-01
07/02/22FON17.5GS11-65
16/06/18YOR14GF9-06
26/05/18GOO12Gd9-13
Aintree - April 07 2022
Aintree 15:40
9
Ciaran Gethings

Gentleman At Arms

J: Ciaran Gethings
T: Stuart Edmunds
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 11-7
OR: 134
Days: 23

Gentleman At Arms is an improving flat recruit, who now has an official rating of 134. He won readily at odds of 2/13f last time out, when beating Propelled and Ballaquane at Huntingdon.

He's rather unexposed but is still far from the level needed to take this. Needs to improve. 

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
27/04/23WAR25Gd11-44
02/04/23ASC21.5GS11-88
18/03/23UTT23.5Sft11-39
14/01/23WAR24Hy11-44
28/12/22LEI20Gd11-43
Aintree - April 07 2022
Aintree 15:40
11
Alex Edwards

My Bobby Dazzler

J: Alex Edwards
T: Mel Rowley
N/A
Age: 7
Weight: 11-7
OR: 129
Days: 69

A winner over C&D three starts ago and improved upon that effort with a 4th and 3rd in much better company. Latterly, he was 3/7 in a competitive G2 won by Mahler Mission.

My Bobby Dazzler didn't really settle well enough that day and was ultimately well beaten. He does look as if he's still improving and he's could be an each way player at a decent price.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
15/06/23WOR20Gd10-101
29/05/23CRT25.5Gd11-13
08/04/23HAY24.5GS11-34
25/02/23CHP23.5GS10-72
06/01/23LUD24Sft11-25
Aintree - April 07 2022
Aintree 15:40
10
Charlie Deutsch

Green Book

J: Charlie Deutsch
T: Venetia Williams
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 11-7
OR: 137
Days: 21

Green Book has been steadily progressive this season, and seems to be consistent enough. He bounced back from his drubbing at the hands of Hillcrest at Haydock, last time out in the shape of a 5th placed finish at the Cheltenham festival. This was in the 3m G1 Albert Bartlett, when 18L behind The Nice Guy.

That showed something of a revival in the context of his last run and if he improves on his Albert Bartlett run he's definitely not without a chance. Stronger form than most.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
16/03/23CHL24Sft11-64
18/02/23HAY24.5GS11-65
04/02/23SAN23.5GS11-41
27/12/22CHP23.5Sft11-126
08/04/22AIN24.5GS11-79
Aintree - April 07 2022
Aintree 15:40
13
Nick Scholfield

Stag Horn

J: Nick Scholfield
T: Archie Watson
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 11-7
OR: 137
Days: 21

Stag Horn will need to bounce back from his incompletion last time out in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham festival.

With his Cheltenham run put to one side, he had looked really progressive and winning his only two starts over hurdles after switching from the flat.

His best form is a G2 win over 2m5f on soft ground, beating Gentleman At Arms by 2L relatively easily. He will need to put Cheltenham firmly behind him and bounce back to be in with a shout here.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
28/02/23CAT19Gd11-02
14/01/23KEM21Sft11-2PU
08/04/22AIN24.5GS11-78
18/03/22CHL24GS11-8PU
15/01/22WAR21Sft11-01
Aintree - April 07 2022
Aintree 15:40
7
David Bass

Fair Frontieres

J: David Bass
T: Kim Bailey
N/A
Age: 7
Weight: 11-7
OR: 134
Days: 17

A winner of his last two starts, once at Warwick and most recently at Exeter. The form of these two wins isn't totally inspiring, having taken the scalp of two rather exposed horses.

Though he's ran to a decent level, he's definitely not ran to graded level as yet. He does look to be a work in progress, but like many of these, he will need to improve to take this competitive G1.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
08/04/22AIN24.5GS11-76
22/03/22EXE21.5GS11-121
12/02/22WAR21GS11-71
03/12/21SAN20GS11-05
20/10/21WOR23Sft11-41
Aintree - April 07 2022
Aintree 15:40
1
J J Slevin

Banbridge

J: J J Slevin
T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 11-7
OR: 143
Days: 21

Banbridge ran out a ready winner of the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham, which is always incredibly strong for a C2 Handicap.

He beat the right horses in; Cobblers Dream, Hollow Games and Freedom To Dream in second, third and fourth respectively.

Prior to that he won a Navan novice hurdle and he looks to be well and truly on the up, he's well worth a go in this grade. 

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
13/04/23AIN20GS11-71
04/02/23LEO17Y11-122
04/12/22FAI20Sft11-123
12/11/22CHL16Gd11-41
01/10/22GOW20Gd/Y11-121
Aintree - April 07 2022
Aintree 15:40
3
Kielan Woods

Bowtogreatness

J: Kielan Woods
T: Ben Pauling
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 11-7
OR: 130
Days: 73

A winner of his last two over hurdles, latterly taking a 2 and a half mile novice apart on soft ground at Leicester.

He won in taking fashion that day and looked to jump quickly and proficiently. He seems to have a big engine and this trip should suit.

He has a bit to find on ratings though, and will need to improve to get involved.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
15/04/23AIN25GS10-22
16/03/23CHL20.5Sft10-413
24/02/23WAR20Gd11-8PU
04/02/23SAN20GS11-75
22/12/22FFO21Sft10-123
Aintree - April 07 2022
Aintree 15:40
5
Sean Quinlan

Crystal Glory

J: Sean Quinlan
T: Nicky Richards
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 11-7
OR: 131
Days: 48

A winner of 2 P2P's before taking 2 novice hurdles at Hexham and Newcastle. He then followed those efforts up with 2 seconds at Newcastle and Haydock.

His last effort (Haydock) was a good one, behind the smart Hillcrest (8L) with 41L back to the third. He's a definite stayer and has good form to his name.

He will be a live each way player for in-form connections. 

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
16/11/22HEX24Sft11-21
08/04/22AIN24.5GS11-74
19/02/22HAY24.5Hy11-02
08/01/22NCS20.5Sft11-102
09/12/21NCS22GS11-51
Aintree - April 07 2022
Aintree 15:40
2
Adam Wedge

Bold Endeavour

J: Adam Wedge
T: L J Morgan
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 11-7
OR: 133
Days: 34

Unbeaten prior to his 3rd place effort last time out in a G2 at Kelso behind Nells Son and North Lodge.

That was over 2m2, and he is a P2P winner over 3m, so this trip should be well within his grasp. An improver who will likely go somewhat under the radar. 

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
19/04/23CHL20.5Gd12-02
15/03/23CHL21Sft11-35
18/02/23ASC24GS11-22
10/01/23DON20.5GS11-101
07/12/22LEI20GF12-01
Aintree - April 07 2022
Aintree 15:40
12
Sam Twiston-Davies

Skytastic

J: Sam Twiston-Davies
T: Sam Thomas
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 11-7
OR: 134
Days: 48

Unbeaten in four starts for Sam Thomas and looks well above average. He battled well to beat Scarface on soft ground at Ascot when pulling 11L clear of the third.

That ground probably didn't suit, as he'd done his winning on a sounder surface prior to that. If he stays this trip and gets an easy surface, he really could be anything and it'll be interesting to see how he gets on in G1 company.

Could be anything. 

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
10/01/23DON20.5GS11-3PU
01/11/22WAR20GS11-24
08/04/22AIN24.5GS11-710
19/02/22ASC19.5Sft11-51
28/01/22DON19.5Gd11-81
Aintree - April 07 2022
Aintree 15:40
8
Harry Cobden

Gelino Bello

J: Harry Cobden
T: Paul Nicholls
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 11-7
OR: 138
Days: 35

A winner last time out at Newbury, beating the useful Peking Rose over 2 and a half miles. This represented a drop back in trip as he's largely been campaigned at 3m this season, running into the very smart Blazing Khal twice.

Back up in trip today, he does have stronger form than many, and has to have a massive chance.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
28/01/23CHL24Sft11-5PU
26/12/22KEM24Sft11-7F
02/12/22EXE24.5GS11-91
28/10/22WET24GS11-21
08/04/22AIN24.5GS11-71
Aintree - April 07 2022
Aintree 15:40
14
Derek Fox

Haute Estime

J: Derek Fox
T: Lucinda Russell
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 11-0
OR: 125
Days: 50

The only mare of this field, having finished 4/6th behind Cheltenham heroine Love Envoi at Sandown last time out.

Prior to that effort, she had battled well to win a listed novice hurdle at Haydock (2m2f) on soft ground from Nina The Terrier and Current Mood in a close second and third.

She needs to improve and prove she stays the trip, but she is in receipt of the mares allowance. May well outrun her odds but is unlikely to make the frame. 

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
26/04/23PER24GS10-93
12/03/23WAR20Sft10-71
06/02/23CRL21Sft12-04
02/01/23AYR24.5Hy11-34
13/11/22CHL24.5Gd10-94
Aintree - April 07 2022
Aintree 15:40
4
Richard Patrick

Bridge North

J: Richard Patrick
T: Henry Daly
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 11-7
OR: 127
Days: 26

A winner last time out, in a trappy 3 runner race, turning over an odds on favourite. He won in good style that day but it's hard to completely trust the form of those sort of races.

His form before that looks to be a good guide, and he races as though this trip will suit. He will need to improve significantly to win though.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
28/04/23PER24Sft11-12F
24/03/23NBY23.5Sft11-31
11/02/23NBY24Gd11-05
01/01/23CHL24Sft10-27
03/12/22SAN23.5Sft10-12PU