April 10 / 16.40 Aintree

16.40

Good To Soft

Oddschecker Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £56270
  • 3m 0f 149y
  • Class 1
  • 12 runners
ITV
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Oddschecker Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 232113

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
After minor wins in Ireland he went off 50-1 for the 2m5f Grade 1 Turners at Cheltenham but he defied those odds to finish third, in spite of so much going wrong during the race (got behind after suffering interference); the manner in which he stayed on offers plenty of encouragement for this extra yardage; it's a nagging concern that only four 5yos have won this since 1988 but intriguing otherwise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

12

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Zeus Power

11st 8lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

After minor wins in Ireland he went off 50-1 for the 2m5f Grade 1 Turners at Cheltenham but he defied those odds to finish third, in spite of so much going wrong during the race (got behind after suffering interference); the manner in which he stayed on offers plenty of encouragement for this extra yardage; it's a nagging concern that only four 5yos have won this since 1988 but intriguing otherwise.

9/2

3rd

22

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

13:20 Cheltenham

Zeus Power

11st 7lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Safely held when second to Riskaway at Thurles (2m4f, good to yielding) but improved since; followed a wide-margin win there (yielding to soft) by responding well for pressure to score at Navan (also 2m, soft to heavy); the step back up in trip is probably of little concern and he might surprise a few.

40/1

1st

3

17th Jan 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

12:10 Navan

Zeus Power

11st 8lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Placed on both bumper starts; beaten 1 1/4l by a subsequent maiden hurdle winner at Galway on the first occasion; no match for a short-priced Gordon Elliott inmate on hurdling debut over 2m4f at Thurles; recovered from a bad error two out when a runaway winner over 2m at Thurles four weeks ago; promising sort.

5/1

50/1

  • Place: £8.40

Form: 302131

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Progressive novice but this is his first time in a Graded race of any nature and he finished some 10l behind Mondoui'boy at Ascot on his penultimate start; he'd be a surprise winner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Catchintsavo

11st 8lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Anthony Honeyball

Progressive novice but this is his first time in a Graded race of any nature and he finished some 10l behind Mondoui'boy at Ascot on his penultimate start; he'd be a surprise winner.

50/1

1st

1

9th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 116y

Class 4

14:00 Plumpton

Catchintsavo

11st 7lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Delivered on earlier promise when narrow winner of Ludlow maiden (2m5f, good to soft) in January and was a respectable third after making the running in useful Ascot novice (2m3f, good to soft) last month; ought to be right in the thick of things again.

7/4

3rd

2

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

13:15 Ascot

Catchintsavo

11st 7lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Justified favouritism in maiden hurdle at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft) last time, gaining reward for being largely consistent in defeat previously; may build on that success and show further progress.

11/2

3/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 3-111 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Beaten in one run for Nicky Henderson but now 3-3 for current yard after coming from the clouds in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham last month (3m, soft); that win seemed unlikely when out the back for much of the race, and even two out he had more in front than behind him; evidently a strong stayer but this flatter, sharper course could ask different questions of him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Johnnys Jury

11st 8lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Jamie Snowden

Beaten in one run for Nicky Henderson but now 3-3 for current yard after coming from the clouds in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham last month (3m, soft); that win seemed unlikely when out the back for much of the race, and even two out he had more in front than behind him; evidently a strong stayer but this flatter, sharper course could ask different questions of him.

3/1

1st

7

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Johnnys Jury

11st 7lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Had one run for Nicky Henderson; 2-2 for current yard, comfortably accounting for a notable rival (fourth in Tuesday's Fred Winter) at Exeter (good to soft) before winning easily again under a penalty at Carlisle (soft); brings a lower profile than many, having taken the back roads to Cheltenham, but he's a dark one; there is stamina in his pedigree, which is just as well when his wins have been at about 2m1f.

25/1

1st

1

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:10 Carlisle

Johnnys Jury

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Jamie Snowden

Promising third over hurdles at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) last January on sole run for Nicky Henderson and won comfortably on last month's yard debut at Exeter (2m, good to soft), forms that reads very well; leading claims.

1/2

Form: 223155

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Talented Irish raider but with questions to answer at this level having twice finished well beaten in Grade 1s (2m4f/2m6f) since winning a maiden at Leopardstown over Christmas; the cheekpieces are new.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 190y

16:15 Punchestown

Frankie John

11st 10lb

J: Daniel King

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Leopardstown maiden winner has contested Grade 1 novices all three starts since, notably remote fifth to Doctor Steinberg at same venue and better form on latest at Aintree in 3m1f Sefton Novices' when decent fourth in first-time cheekpieces (good-to-soft); this probably a stronger race so more needed.

25/1

4th

3

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Frankie John

11st 8lb

J: Daniel King

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Talented Irish raider but with questions to answer at this level having twice finished well beaten in Grade 1s (2m4f/2m6f) since winning a maiden at Leopardstown over Christmas; the cheekpieces are new.

33/1

Form: -21116

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Tongue tied the last twice; completed his hat-trick in a 2m4f Grade 2 at Cheltenham on Trials' Day (soft; fine on good) but only sixth in the Albert Bartlett; however, he ran well for a long way in fairness only to wilt up the hill and this flatter track could be a better fit; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Kripticjim

11st 8lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Tongue tied the last twice; completed his hat-trick in a 2m4f Grade 2 at Cheltenham on Trials' Day (soft; fine on good) but only sixth in the Albert Bartlett; however, he ran well for a long way in fairness only to wilt up the hill and this flatter track could be a better fit; not ruled out.

16/1

6th

11

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Kripticjim

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Has left his bumper form behind over hurdles and completed his hat-trick in a 2m4f Grade 2 here on Trials' Day (first run in a tongue-tie; soft; fine on good); however, that was by the skin of his teeth and in a race that hasn't been that influential when it comes to the Festival; however he fares, he'll be a nice chaser next year.

25/1

1st

5

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 1

16:10 Cheltenham

Kripticjim

11st 5lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Won at Ascot (2m3f, good) in November on second hurdle start and followed up in Newbury novice (2m4f, good to soft); went close in a bumper on soft; his jumping may improve and it remains to be seen where his limitations lie, but others have a bit more substance to their form; tongue-tie added.

20/1

Form: 2-6114

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Point winner who ran well in defeat in bumpers at top tracks before selling for £115,000 at the David Maxwell dispersal sale; they were easy pickings at Ludlow (2m5f) and Ascot (2m3f; again good to soft; favourite both times) but he confirmed himself high class (as his trainer had indicated) when fourth to Johnny's Jury in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham, where he was in the firing line throughout and fared best of those who raced prominently; provided that race hasn't left a mark then he's of major interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Mondouiboy

11st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Point winner who ran well in defeat in bumpers at top tracks before selling for £115,000 at the David Maxwell dispersal sale; they were easy pickings at Ludlow (2m5f) and Ascot (2m3f; again good to soft; favourite both times) but he confirmed himself high class (as his trainer had indicated) when fourth to Johnny's Jury in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham, where he was in the firing line throughout and fared best of those who raced prominently; provided that race hasn't left a mark then he's of major interest.

5/1

4th

12

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Mondouiboy

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Runner-up in a 3m point and ran well in defeat in bumpers at top tracks before selling for £115,000 at the David Maxwell dispersal sale; has looked well above average in justifying market confidence over hurdles at Ludlow (2m5f) and Ascot (extended 2m3f; again on good to soft); Ben Pauling considers him one of his better novices; can't be taken lightly with this longer trip a probable plus.

10/1

1st

3

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

13:15 Ascot

Mondouiboy

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Lightly raced 6yo; bought from the David Maxwell dispersal for £115,000; justified favouritism in clearcut style at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft) on stable/hurdles debut and should improve further; respected.

6/4

Form: 72121P D BF

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
It was never in doubt when showing huge improvement in a Grade 3 at Cork (3m, soft to heavy) and when a disappointing favourite for a Grade 2 at Warwick there were apparent excuses; career best needed and by some way, but trainer's reputation speaks for itself; couldn't rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Good Girl Kathleen

11st 1lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

It was never in doubt when showing huge improvement in a Grade 3 at Cork (3m, soft to heavy) and when a disappointing favourite for a Grade 2 at Warwick there were apparent excuses; career best needed and by some way, but trainer's reputation speaks for itself; couldn't rule out.

33/1

1

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Warwick

Good Girl Kathleen

11st 9lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

May have gained an advantage by sticking to the inside rail in Grade 3 novice at Cork (3m, soft to heavy) in December but she was firmly in control of that race from a long way out and is now 2-3 over hurdles; will be hard to beat if she's as good over this shorter trip.

5/1

2nd

7

2nd Nov 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 100y

14:10 Cork

Good Girl Kathleen

10st 7lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

Limerick bumper winner off the mark at the first attempt over hurdles in a Listowel maiden in September (2m6f, yld-sft); from a good family (dam half-sister to Faugheen) so connections will be keen to pick up some black type and she should be up to the task.

9/4

OUR TIP

Form: -72111 C

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
He's gone 3-3 since the cheekpieces went on and it was pretty straightforward from the front in a Grade 2 at Haydock the last time (3m, good to soft) when 4l too good for the strong-finishing Ubatuba who ran a respectable seventh in the Albert Bartlett; arrives here fresher than some; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Dalston Lad

11st 8lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

He's gone 3-3 since the cheekpieces went on and it was pretty straightforward from the front in a Grade 2 at Haydock the last time (3m, good to soft) when 4l too good for the strong-finishing Ubatuba who ran a respectable seventh in the Albert Bartlett; arrives here fresher than some; respected.

8/1

1st

2

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Dalston Lad

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Made it 2-2 in these cheekpieces when upped in trip on handicap debut over C&D (good to soft) four weeks ago; won a bumper on soft ground; open to further improvement for his top yard and is firmly in calculations.

3/1

1st

7

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 3

14:35 Haydock

Dalston Lad

10st 13lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

3m point and two-time bumper winner who has improved with each of his three hurdle starts, winning easily at 4-9 at Sedgefield (2m4f, good to soft) last time in first-time cheekpieces (retained); bred to be suited by this step up in trip on handicap debut (half-brother to leading Peter Marsh contender Myretown, among others) and could have lots more to offer for top yard.

3/1

Form: 1-2711

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Dual bumper winner; lacked the gears to mix it with top 2m novices earlier in the season but, raised in distance, he wasn't overly troubled to win minor races at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) and Ffos Las (2m4f, heavy); mixed messages on pedigree as to whether this far will be a help or a hindrance, but can't be dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Harbour Island

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Dual bumper winner; lacked the gears to mix it with top 2m novices earlier in the season but, raised in distance, he wasn't overly troubled to win minor races at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) and Ffos Las (2m4f, heavy); mixed messages on pedigree as to whether this far will be a help or a hindrance, but can't be dismissed.

20/1

1st

1

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:52 Ffos Las

Harbour Island

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

One of his two bumper wins was here; disappointed in his second run over hurdles, but chased home the smart Mydaddypaddy in the first and readily justified favouritism last month at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft); a scopey individual with more to offer.

11/10

1st

7

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

12:55 Taunton

Harbour Island

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Dual bumper winner who chased home Dan Skelton's highly regarded Mydaddypaddy on seasonal/hurdle debut at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) in November; below that form when midfield in good Newbury maiden (2m, soft) later that month but moves up in trip here and remains of strong interest.

6/4

Form: 212 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Point winner who was odds-on when winning a maiden at Hereford (3m1f, heavy) and then came up short under a penalty at Uttoxeter (2m4f); this stiffest test yet is likely to prove well beyond him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 110411

Last run: 174 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Has made rapid progress since winning a low-grade handicap at Tipperary last May, last time securing a fourth career win at Listed level at Limerick (2m5f, yielding) in October; has earned his right to a crack at something better but this might be a step too far, especially with stamina to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

21st May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 176y

17:48 Limerick

Shadow Paddy

11st 12lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Has made rapid progress since winning a low-grade handicap at Tipperary in May last year; secured fourth hurdles win at Listed level here in October (2m5f, yielding); Grade 1 level proved a bridge too far at Aintree last month; top-rated of these over hurdles; definite chance.

9/2

10

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Shadow Paddy

11st 8lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Has made rapid progress since winning a low-grade handicap at Tipperary last May, last time securing a fourth career win at Listed level at Limerick (2m5f, yielding) in October; has earned his right to a crack at something better but this might be a step too far, especially with stamina to prove.

33/1

4

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

15:30 Limerick

Shadow Paddy

11st 0lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Second runner for in-form yard; improving sort was a course winner over 2m3f in May and won his third race of the season in a 2m4f Listowel handicap last time; needs more again today but might not be far away.

5/1

Form: 54-11

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner; couldn't win a bumper but he's looked good in winning two novice hurdles, last time justifying market support with an oh-so-easy win under a penalty at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft; runner-up useful); dangerously unexposed and highly rated in a top yard that's also represented by No Drama This End; interesting, and stamina shouldn't be an issue when he's by Walk In The Park and his dam is a sister to Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Talk To The Man

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Irish point winner; couldn't win a bumper but he's looked good in winning two novice hurdles, last time justifying market support with an oh-so-easy win under a penalty at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft; runner-up useful); dangerously unexposed and highly rated in a top yard that's also represented by No Drama This End; interesting, and stamina shouldn't be an issue when he's by Walk In The Park and his dam is a sister to Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere.

15/2

1st

1

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

15:35 Newbury

Talk To The Man

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Paul Nicholls has won three of the last five runnings of this race; this Irish point winner (good to yielding) left his bumper form behind when comfortably accounting for his penalised market rival in a 2m3f novice at Taunton (heavy); it's difficult to know how good he might be and he commands considerable respect.

11/8

1st

9

3rd Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

13:40 Taunton

Talk To The Man

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Irish point winner (good to yielding) who bettered his low-key rules debut when fourth in valuable Newbury bumper (good) last March; makes hurdling debut after 318-day absence and on much slower ground but looks an interesting prospect.

3/1

Non-runners

No Drama This End

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £111.70
Straight Forecast £105.76
Tricast £309.93
Trifecta £554.50

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Zeus Power

POSTDATA:

Johnny's Jury

Daily Mail:

Dalston Lad

RP RATINGS:

No Drama This End

The Times:

Talk To The Man

SPOTLIGHT:

Mondoui'boy

Telegraph:

Zeus Power

D Express:

Zeus Power

Daily Mirror:

Zeus Power

The Sun:

Zeus Power

LAMBOURN:

Johnny's Jury

The Guardian:

Johnny's Jury

Daily Record:

Dalston Lad

The Star:

No Drama This End