Grade One Top Novices' Hurdle Aintree Guide 2023

Jamie Snowden’s six-year-old Colonel Harry arrives here at Aintree having spent zero time outside of the top four in his hurdling career. Landed Sandown maiden on second outing over obstacles before finishing a respectable fourth in the Tolworth.

Dropped down to class four level to win at Newcastle before second to Nemean Lion in the Premier Novices’ Hurdle over 2m 2f at Kelso last month prior to coming here. Against some top runners again here which may see him struggle.

Five-year-old Rubaud heads to Aintree for Paul Nicholls after landing Grade Two Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle last time out at Kempton in February, beating Mullenbeg by just over a length to claim first graded win.

Disappointing tenth in the Newbury Betfair Hurdle prior but a winner of three races over hurdles but needs to find more in this. Bryony Frost is on board with Harry Cobden on board Tahmuras.

Five-year-old who showed plenty of promise early on in hurdling career when winning on debut in Huntingdon novice before making it two out of two in 12-runner Plumpton novice, fending off Master Chewy to win my two lengths.

Disappointing when only fifth in the Grade Two Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle last time out in February when 9/4fav and may be a little vulnerable at this level. Others make more appeal than Gary Moore’s gelding.

Grade One Tolworth winner Tahmuras arrives here after a disappointing run in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival last month, finishing tenth of 14. Remains with potential after winning the Tolworth at Sandown prior to Cheltenham and had previously been unbeaten over obstacles beforehand.

Can bounce back with a better run here but others make more appeal on recent outings.

Dan Skelton sends one for this contest with Pembroke, who was 9/2fav in the 2m County Hurdle last month at Cheltenham. However, he failed to justify favouritism, finishing a disappointing 17th.

That was after he had won wo races over hurdles at Wetherby and Ludlow before runner-up in Cheltenham grade two in January heading into the festival.

He should still have potential to fulfil for Skelton having only raced over hurdles five times. May find it tougher here, though.

Fergal O’Brien sends one for the Top Novices’ Hurdle in the shape of six-year-old Hullnback. The gelding arrives here in good form, winning his last two starts over hurdles at Warwick and Haydock after second of 14 on hurdling debut at Chepstow in October last year.

His two wins have come at a lesser level than this, but winning distances of nine and a half lengths and just under four lengths on his winning outings suggest he’s ready for a step up in company.

Progressive type who looks ready to continue improving for O’Brien and should not be taken lightly on graded debut.

Sole bumper winner at Southwell back in April last year before winning his first three starts over hurdles, including a seven-length victory over fellow runner Rubaud in 2m Kempton novice in December last year.

Stepped up in class since to finish second at Huntingdon when 4/5fav before pulling up before the last in the Supreme at Cheltenham last month. Early career promise has diminished slightly on those two runs.

147-rated hurdler for Gordon Elliott who was second in his only bumper at Navan back in November, before winning on hurdling debut in Fairyhouse maiden over 2m, nine and a half lengths ahead of Willie Mullins’ Parmenion.

Did ok on graded debut (grade two) at Naas last time out in February, finishing a head behind Corbetts Cross over 1m 7f. The six-year-old is open to further improvement and the gelding should go close here.

Exciting six-year-old for Henry De Bromhead who won his first two starts over hurdles, landing Wexford maiden before winning Navan Grade Two Novice over 2m 3f by a neck to Gordon Elliott’s Three Card Brag.

Not disgraced when stepping up to grade one level at Leopardstown in February, finishing second to Il Etait Temps where heavy favourite Facile Vega completely blew up when leading entering the straight.

Decent fourth in the Supreme at Cheltenham last month sees him arrive at Aintree in good form and he shouldn’t be dismissed here.

Nicky Henderson’s five-year-old mare Luccia looked a top prospect on his first four starts, winning two bumpers before winning her first two runs over hurdles at Newbury and Exeter before heading to the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival last month. She was heavily backed at 6/4fav, but disappointed on the day, finishing fourth as You Wear It Well claimed success.

She is capable of better than she showed on that day and Nico de Boinville is on board here and she is a big player in this field.

Nigel Twiston-Davies sends one for this contest in the form of Matata. The five-year-old dominated Newbury novice last time out at 11/4 joint-favourite, winning by 11 lengths to Fame And Fun after running out at 13/8fav at Wincanton a run before.

Has only won hurdle contests at class four level and it will be tougher to dominate against this level of runners. Probably able to dismiss despite form in lower class.

Harry Fry sends the unbeaten Altobelli to Aintree for this contest after winning sole bumper at Exeter in February last year, before making it back-to-back wins on hurdle debut at Ffos Las in December. 25-length winner of Carlisle class four novice to Ballybeg Boss before getting his shot up in class here.

This is a lot tougher than the previous assignments he has been put up to but looks able to handle it and interesting to see how he goes at this level.

Five-year-old gelding who could have more to offer over hurdles after winning back-to-back races at Thurles in December and Limerick (grade two) later that month before finishing second of six in Grade Three Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle at Naas last month, just over a length behind heavily backed 1/4fav Irish Point.

Has performed well with every step up in his career so far, landing Limerick grade two and finishing second in Naas grade three and he should have more to offer for trainer Oliver McKiernan here.

Olly Murphy sends one for this contest in the form of six-year-old Strong Leader. The 140-rated hurdler was unbeaten over hurdles before finishing ninth of 14 in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, which was a tougher test for him.

He had won three times over hurdles before the Cheltenham festival, at class three and four level at Uttoxeter, Southwell and here over two miles in December last year.

Is currently around 16’s in the market and might be worth an each-way bet as he looks to go better than he did at Cheltenham last month. More progression is probable.