April 11 / 13.55 Aintree

13.55

Good To Soft

Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £56270
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 12 runners
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Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 1-3116

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
Three wins from first four starts and he was keeping on well and disputing third when making a bad mistake at the final flight in the Turners at Cheltenham (2m5f, good to soft) last month, ultimately finishing sixth; leading claims on the back of that very promising performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Bossman Jack

11st 7lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Three wins from first four starts and he was keeping on well and disputing third when making a bad mistake at the final flight in the Turners at Cheltenham (2m5f, good to soft) last month, ultimately finishing sixth; leading claims on the back of that very promising performance.

11/4

6th

3

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

13:20 Cheltenham

Bossman Jack

11st 7lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Bumper winner who was off the mark on his second attempt over hurdles when winning a Ffos Las novice in January; heavy odds-on but he still impressed when easily defying a penalty at Chepstow (also 2m, soft) last month; dam won over this trip in a light hurdling career; not far away on the figures for last year's winning stable and he's impossible to rule out.

7/1

1st

1

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 4

13:40 Chepstow

Bossman Jack

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Placed in strong Warwick maiden (2m, good to soft) on seasonal/hurdle debut in November and built on that performance when beating useful rival to score at Ffos Las (2m, soft; front pair well clear of Emerald Breeze) last month; the one to beat.

8/13

7/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 31234

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
Improved for the step up to 2m5f when storming home for fourth at 150-1 in the Turners at Cheltenham (good to soft) last month; he doesn't have the Cheltenham hill this time and his stablemate Bossman Jack would probably have beaten him at the Festival had he jumped the final flight proficiently, but this 5yo is unexposed at this sort of distance and could be a contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Soldier Reeves

11st 7lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Improved for the step up to 2m5f when storming home for fourth at 150-1 in the Turners at Cheltenham (good to soft) last month; he doesn't have the Cheltenham hill this time and his stablemate Bossman Jack would probably have beaten him at the Festival had he jumped the final flight proficiently, but this 5yo is unexposed at this sort of distance and could be a contender.

7/1

4th

18

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

13:20 Cheltenham

Soldier Reeves

11st 7lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Made a winning debut over hurdles here (about 2m, soft; first-time tongue-tie) in November; readily brushed aside by Hurricane Pat at Sandown the following month, however, and probably flattered to get closer to that rival when soundly beaten at Haydock last time; up in trip with work to do.

50/1

3rd

3

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:25 Haydock

Soldier Reeves

11st 7lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Built upon point/bumper promise (including on good to soft ground) to win on hurdle debut at Cheltenham (2m, soft) in November; another good run when Listed runner-up at Sandown (2m, soft) since and he's 5lb better off with the winner Hurricane Pat, although that rival had plenty in hand.

10/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 11120

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
11-1 and beaten just over 7l when tenth of 21 in the Turners at Cheltenham (2m5f, good to soft) last month; however, he was kicked at the start that day and may well be capable of better, having finished ahead of the Turners winner King Rasko Grey when short-headed in Leopardstown Grade 1 in February; respected for top Irish trainer who has won the last four runnings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Ballyfad

11st 7lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

11-1 and beaten just over 7l when tenth of 21 in the Turners at Cheltenham (2m5f, good to soft) last month; however, he was kicked at the start that day and may well be capable of better, having finished ahead of the Turners winner King Rasko Grey when short-headed in Leopardstown Grade 1 in February; respected for top Irish trainer who has won the last four runnings.

3/1

10th

2

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

13:20 Cheltenham

Ballyfad

11st 7lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Unbeaten in a point and two bumpers before easily winning a Leopardstown maiden hurdle (2m, yielding; strong in the market) in December; fine effort when claimed on the line in a Grade 1 over that C&D (heavy) at the start of last month, with King Rasko Grey a close-up third, and his pedigree suggests this new trip will be no problem; very strong claims for his powerful yard.

10/1

2nd

1

1st Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

13:40 Leopardstown

Ballyfad

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Won a point for Luke Murphy last April; purchased for E175,000 and got on top late on to win a Down Royal bumper in November; showed a good attitude when following up under a penalty at Punchestown three weeks later; impressed with a front-running victory over the well-regarded Leader d'Allier in a C&D maiden; the second has since hacked up at Punchestown.

3/1

Form: 2445

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Kept on well for 80-1 fifth in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m1f, soft) and this step up in trip could prompt further improvement; however, two starts ago this 4yo was soundly beaten by Montemares and Kosac d'Oudairies at Kelso (2m2f, good to soft) and he needs to back up his latest promise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 140y

18:00 Punchestown

Lord Byron

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Faye Bramley

British raider; 4yo is 0-5 over hurdles but far from disgraced the last twice when a 3.5l fifth of 20 in the Triumph at Cheltenham (2m1f, soft) and a 6.5l fourth of 12 in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree; gets weight all round and rated 141, so definite place chance on the figures.

14/1

4th

13

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Lord Byron

10st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Faye Bramley

Kept on well for 80-1 fifth in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m1f, soft) and this step up in trip could prompt further improvement; however, two starts ago this 4yo was soundly beaten by Montemares and Kosac d'Oudairies at Kelso (2m2f, good to soft) and he needs to back up his latest promise.

20/1

5th

7

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

13:20 Cheltenham

Lord Byron

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Faye Bramley

Ran twice on Flat for Aidan O'Brien; three hurdle races this winter, a never-dangerous 4l fourth to Maestro Conti in Grade 2 Triumph Trial at Cheltenham (soft) on second occasion; first-time cheekpieces in Kelso Grade 2 (good to soft) 13 days ago where a 17l defeat does not augur well for this.

66/1

Form: -22121 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Listed bumper winner who built upon previous promise over hurdles when sent up in trip for her handicap debut and winning that 15-runner mares' novice handicap at Newbury in good style; has the 7lb mares' allowance but she still needs to find something extra and can make the odd mistake.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Charisma Cat

11st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Listed bumper winner who built upon previous promise over hurdles when sent up in trip for her handicap debut and winning that 15-runner mares' novice handicap at Newbury in good style; has the 7lb mares' allowance but she still needs to find something extra and can make the odd mistake.

9/1

1st

1

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 1

15:00 Newbury

Charisma Cat

11st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

3-5 in bumpers, including a Sandown Listed win on good to soft; won at Chepstow (2m, soft) on third attempt over hurdles and runner-up in the other three; cheekpieces latest (ran creditably); has top weight on this handicap debut but going beyond 2m1f for first time could prove just the ticket.

13/2

2nd

1

17th Feb 2026

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

14:00 Market Rasen

Charisma Cat

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

3-5 in bumpers last season, including a win at Listed level; she got off the mark at the third attempt over hurdles at Chepstow (2m, soft) three weeks ago; first-time cheekpieces go on and she still needs to brush up her jumping in order to progress but should run well.

7/2

Form: 3-1111 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Completed a four-timer (soft/good to soft) and made it three handicap wins in a row when cruising into the lead in the 2m4f EBF Final at Sandown last month; highly progressive and could play a leading role up in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Scorpio Rising

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Completed a four-timer (soft/good to soft) and made it three handicap wins in a row when cruising into the lead in the 2m4f EBF Final at Sandown last month; highly progressive and could play a leading role up in grade.

7/1

1st

3

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 178y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Scorpio Rising

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Progressing rapidly and completed a hat-trick of hurdles wins at Windsor (2m4f, soft) in January, coming from rear; more improvement required off 7lb higher mark and that's entirely possible; high on the list.

5/1

1st

2

18th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

12:50 Windsor

Scorpio Rising

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Only had four runs and won the last two, a maiden at Perth (2m4f, soft) and handicap at Lingfield (2m3f, good to soft; comfortably); 8lb higher now but clearly on the upgrade and commands considerable respect.

4/1

Form: 1-1212 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Point, bumper and dual novice hurdle winner who was second in a Grade 2 at Kelso (2m2f, good to soft) in February; however, he was just over 6l behind Montemares at Kelso, so has work to do today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Kosac DOudairies

11st 7lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Point, bumper and dual novice hurdle winner who was second in a Grade 2 at Kelso (2m2f, good to soft) in February; however, he was just over 6l behind Montemares at Kelso, so has work to do today.

40/1

2nd

4

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 25y

Class 1

14:15 Kelso

Kosac DOudairies

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Point/bumper winner who made it 2-3 over hurdles with win at Catterick (2m3f, good to soft); others have achieved more but sole defeat in this sphere came behind a classy type; could have more left in the tank.

10/1

1st

1

21st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

13:17 Catterick

Kosac DOudairies

11st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

3m point and heavy-ground bumper winner who scored on hurdle debut at Lingfield (2m, good to soft) in November; another good run when second of three at Haydock (1m7f, good to soft), when no match for subsequent Grade 1 runner-up; the step up in trip could be a good move; leading claims.

5/4

Form: 121 D

Last run: 119 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
2-3 over hurdles, with those novice wins (2m/2m3f, good/good to soft) sandwiching a creditable Grade 2 second at Haydock (1m7f, good to soft) in November; this bright prospect is open to further improvement but others have more substance to their form; first run since December.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Masked Man

11st 7lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

2-3 over hurdles, with those novice wins (2m/2m3f, good/good to soft) sandwiching a creditable Grade 2 second at Haydock (1m7f, good to soft) in November; this bright prospect is open to further improvement but others have more substance to their form; first run since December.

22/1

13

10th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

13:57 Chepstow

Masked Man

10st 13lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Quickened up well to win his 3m Irish point on good to yielding ground at Stowlin; this course provides a very different test than that sharp track but he could be useful.

5/4

33/1

Form: 26-211 D

Last run: 133 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Won four-runner handicap at Sedgefield (2m4f, good) last October and followed up in a warm Newcastle novice (2m6f, good to soft), again with plenty in hand; he's useful on the Flat and could have more to offer in this code now things have started to click, but such improvement is necessary.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

(9)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

Zanndabad

8st 10lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: A J Martin

An unlucky, strong-finishing third in this race in 2024 (good to firm; his only run here) and has a 1lb lower mark today; flickers of that ability on occasions since, though had to have his sights lowered for two hurdle wins last autumn; tailed off at 40-1 in a Grade 1 novice hurdle four weeks ago, after a winter break, and could be more interesting this time.

12/1

10th

11

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Zanndabad

11st 7lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

Won four-runner handicap at Sedgefield (2m4f, good) last October and followed up in a warm Newcastle novice (2m6f, good to soft), again with plenty in hand; he's useful on the Flat and could have more to offer in this code now things have started to click, but such improvement is necessary.

33/1

1

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 3

16:41 Sedgefield

Zanndabad

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: A J Martin

No win since 2022 in his French days but some good runs in defeat in big Flat handicaps, including last year's Chester Cup and a 1m4f race at York this August; he's a rather frustrating 0-9 over hurdles, with four seconds including on three of his last four attempts, but this is a drop in class.

15/8

Form: 173116

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten sixth of 12 in Grade 2 at Kempton (2m, good to soft) in February and hard to fancy on the back of that; however, he easily won a maiden at Taunton (2m, good) in January and followed up in a warm small-field novice at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) and his pedigree suggests this step up in trip will suit; might not be a forlorn hope each-way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Onlyforfrankie

11st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Soundly beaten sixth of 12 in Grade 2 at Kempton (2m, good to soft) in February and hard to fancy on the back of that; however, he easily won a maiden at Taunton (2m, good) in January and followed up in a warm small-field novice at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) and his pedigree suggests this step up in trip will suit; might not be a forlorn hope each-way.

40/1

6th

2

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Kempton

Onlyforfrankie

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Alastair Ralph

Progressive over hurdles, springing a surprise in four-runner novice at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) three weeks ago; bred to be at least as effective over 2m4f+; going the right way and not ruled out.

8/1

1st

3

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 2

12:55 Musselburgh

Onlyforfrankie

11st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Recorded a useful bumper RPR on final Irish start but has failed to reproduce the form for new yard, last time facing a straightforward task when 1-3 odds at Taunton (2m, good) in second hurdles run; this is a stiffer assignment.

14/1

Form: 1141 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Lost his unbeaten record when fourth of six, beaten about 8l, in the Grade 1 Challow at Newbury (2m4f, good) in December; returned to winning ways in fine style in the Grade 2 Premier Novices' Hurdle at Kelso (2m2f, good to soft) in February; steps back up in trip and in grade this afternoon but he's one to consider after that impressive latest performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 111513

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
5yo who is trained in France and has won four of his 17 hurdle starts there; better than ever when close third of six in Grade 2 at Auteuil (2m3f, very soft) three weeks ago behind two previous Grade 1 winners and he's not ruled out; has won on good to soft ground on the Flat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Came From Nowhere

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £24.80
Straight Forecast £23.24
Tricast £61.46
Trifecta £103.40

Selections

The Guardian:

Scorpio Rising

The Times:

Montemares

SPOTLIGHT:

Bossman Jack

TOPSPEED:

Soldier Reeves

Daily Mail:

Ballyfad

LAMBOURN:

Kosac d'Oudairies

D Express:

Montemares

The Sun:

Montemares

POSTDATA:

Soldier Reeves

Daily Mirror:

Scorpio Rising

The Star:

Scorpio Rising

Daily Record:

Scorpio Rising

RP RATINGS:

Bossman Jack

Telegraph:

Bossman Jack