April 15 / 15.35 Aintree

15.35

Good To Soft

JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £140325
  • 3m 0f 149y
  • Class 1
  • 10 runners
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JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £9.00
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 455P41 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 160

Form & Verdict
11yo who returned to form to win last month's Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham (3m, soft); not the most consistent and has an excellent record at the Cheltenham Festival, but he was clear with Flooring Porter when winning this last year (good to soft) and can be bang there once more if at his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

2nd May 2024

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:00 Punchestown

Sire Du Berlais

11st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Gordon Elliott

Enjoyed the season of his life last year, winning at Cheltenham and Aintree before finishing a close third in this race; only seen out twice this season and stayed on well to finish a decent fifth in the Stayers Hurdle; comes here fresher than most and no surprise should he play a big hand.

10/1

7

2nd May 2024

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:00 Punchestown

Sire Du Berlais

11st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Gordon Elliott

Enjoyed the season of his life last year, winning at Cheltenham and Aintree before finishing a close third in this race; only seen out twice this season and stayed on well to finish a decent fifth in the Stayers Hurdle; comes here fresher than most and no surprise should he play a big hand.

10/1

4/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 11-117 BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 153

Form & Verdict
Down the field in the mares' Grade 1 at last month's Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, soft) having failed to settle off a slow pace; if bouncing back she could relish this first crack at a staying trip, having finished strongly to win two mares' Grade 1s last spring (2m4f/2m3f, good to soft/good), and powered clear to beat subsequent Stayers' Hurdle runner-up Dashel Drasher in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) in January.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(6)

10th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:10 Bath

Maries Rock

9st 6lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Nicky Henderson

awkward start, in touch with leaders, headway and prominent over 3f out, led over 2f out, faced challenge over 1f out, headed inside final 110yds, just held

6/1

5th

4

(4)

25th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:20 York

Maries Rock

9st 2lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Nicky Henderson

dwelt start, towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong

12/1

5th

4

(4)

25th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:20 York

Maries Rock

9st 2lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Nicky Henderson

dwelt start, towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong

12/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 12-444 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 161

Form & Verdict
Made all in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham (3m, good to soft/soft) in 2021 and 2022 and good second to Sire Du Berlais in this race last year (good to soft); not quite at his very best this season, including when fourth in the Stayers' Hurdle last month, but it was still a good run and he could improve for it as he didn't have an ideal preparation; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 1f 56y

Class 1

14:25 Cheltenham

Flooring Porter

11st 4lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Dual Stayers' Hurdle winner; has not reached quite the same level in five starts over fences but he still won the Kerry National at Listowel (3m, soft) when last seen in September 2024, making all and barely coming off the bridle; hard to weigh up after a long absence but conditions should suit and he'd be no forlorn hope if ready to roll.

12/1

3

25th Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 180y

16:20 Listowel

Flooring Porter

11st 4lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Dual Stayers' Hurdle winner and fine second in latest renewal in March; had three runs over fences last season, all over 3m; won at Cheltenham, jumped poorly when not enjoying going right-handed at Punchestown, and then fair third in Leopardstown Grade 1; found 2m1f much too sharp at Killarney in July on handicap debut; trip will suit.

8/1

5th

2

19th Jul 2024

Good

2m 1f 0y

15:40 Killarney

Flooring Porter

11st 11lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

raced in last, soon outpaced and detached, some headway when mistake 3 out, weakened 2 out

9/4

Form: -30342

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 151

Form & Verdict
Stayed on for third behind Home By The Lee in Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown (3m, soft) and another good run when second in Navan Grade 2 (2m5f, good to yielding) last time; has something to find with the main form players but this 7yo is having just his third run over a staying trip and could improve further for a strong gallop, which he should get today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:05 Punchestown

Meet And Greet

11st 10lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Has been chasing since pulled up in this race last year; 66-1 chance then; an unenviable task again; first-time cheekpieces.

66/1

2nd

3

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

16:07 Down Royal

Meet And Greet

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

No wins since December 2024 and three chase efforts to date have not been super encouraging; beaten 23l in a Thurles handicap last time (2m5f, yielding); nonetheless, he's the second highest rated of the field here and possibilities if putting his best foot forward.

9/4

Form: 243-13 CD BF

Last run: 110 days

W: 11st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 158

Form & Verdict
11yo whose form can be a bit up and down and he was a well-beaten third in this last year on the back of his fourth in the Stayers' Hurdle; however, he missed Cheltenham this time around and his record indicates that arriving fresh will be a positive for his claims; strong form when winning Newbury Grade 2 last November and this C&D winner could play a leading role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Champ

11st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Nicky Henderson

Veteran; smart in his prime but his two efforts this term fall well short of his peak form; beaten twice in this race (third in 2022, fifth in 2023) and is unlikely to make it third time lucky unless first-time headgear has a significant effect.

25/1

3

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Champ

11st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Nicky Henderson

in touch with leaders, struggling after 10th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out

25/1

Form: -12222 C

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 159

Form & Verdict
Grade 1 chase winner (2021) who was runner-up in Grade 2 chase here (3m1f, good to soft) last December and has also finished second back over hurdles at Cheltenham on his last three starts, most recently a fine effort behind Sire Du Berlais in the Stayers' Hurdle (3m, soft); wears first-time cheekpieces here and this prominent-racer is capable of another bold show.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:50 Cheltenham

Dashel Drasher

12st 1lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

Hasn't been running badly over fences this season but he's clearly not the force of old and he would prefer softer ground for this return to hurdling.

10/1

6th

1

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:50 Cheltenham

Dashel Drasher

12st 1lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

Hasn't been running badly over fences this season but he's clearly not the force of old and he would prefer softer ground for this return to hurdling.

10/1

Form: 42-224 C

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Won Grade 1 4yo hurdle at this meeting in 2021 (2m1f, good to soft) and 14l second to Epatante in Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle (2m4f, good to soft) 12 months ago; bumped into Jonbon then The Real Whacker when runner-up this season on first two chase starts but a lesser run followed at Sandown and a career best is needed now back over hurdles and up in trip in first-time headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:55 Chepstow

Monmiral

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

2024 Pertemps Final winner but that was off 8lb lower; contested two Grade 1s last spring, before a wind operation (his second) and heavy defeat when returned to fences three months ago (easily his worst chase performance); Freddie Keighley takes off 7lb on this return to a handicap.

9/1

6th

8

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Monmiral

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Creditable fifth to Gwennie May Boy on this card last year, having won the Pertemps Final (3m, soft) the time before; creditable second in Grade 2 contests the last twice but this is harder; well beaten in this race in 2023.

40/1

6th

8

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Monmiral

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Creditable fifth to Gwennie May Boy on this card last year, having won the Pertemps Final (3m, soft) the time before; creditable second in Grade 2 contests the last twice but this is harder; well beaten in this race in 2023.

40/1

Form: P-U251 C

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
Had a fourth wind op before he won the Grade 2 National Spirit at Fontwell (2m3f, good) in February, a race he has a good record in; fair fifth at this meeting two years ago (2m4f, good to soft) but this 10yo will be doing well if he can better that result today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

18:20 Aintree

Brewinupastorm

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Veteran who finds winning hard these days but on last two starts he held his own in Grade 2s at Fontwell and Fairyhouse, races he had won previously; retains plenty of enthusiasm and can go well back in a handicap.

11/2

4th

6

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 180y

15:50 Fairyhouse

Brewinupastorm

11st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won this race two years ago and returns on the back of finishing second in the Grade 2 National Spirit at Fontwell, a race he'd won twice before; however, he's well into the veteran stage and looks vulnerable.

25/1

2nd

3

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 1

14:50 Fontwell

Brewinupastorm

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

13yo who has a fine record in this race, his three appearances yielding two wins (2021 and 2023) and a head second to Botox Has in 2022; also bagged a Fairyhouse Grade 2 (2m4f, soft to heavy) in the spring of 2024; not so good these days, however, and he was beaten 13l in a Taunton handicap (2m3f, good to soft) last month.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 6-O115 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 157

Form & Verdict
Has improved this season, winning a Grade 2 at Navan (2m4f, yielding) then the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown (3m, soft), and his near-4l fifth of 11 behind three of these in the Stayers' Hurdle (3m, soft) can be upgraded as he made a very bad mistake at the sixth flight; a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Home By The Lee

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

11yo who was running in the Stayers' Hurdle for the fifth time when making the breakthrough in that Cheltenham Grade 1 last month (3m, good); pulled up in this race on both visits to Aintree and 33-1 when winning at the Festival, but it was certainly no fluke judged on the pick of his career exploits and he's the one to beat if repeating that latest form.

7/1

1st

6

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Home By The Lee

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Two-time Grade 1 winner, latterly in 2024, who landed the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park in January, showing he retains considerable spark at the age of 11; he's run well in this race previously but has found Grade 1 races tough over the last 12 months; could have same problem today.

33/1

Form: -371P4 C

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
Won a handicap here (2m4f, good) in May 2021 and he was better than ever when winning a Grade 2 at Wetherby (3m, good to soft) last October by 10l; however, others have stronger form and he hasn't shone the last twice.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:50 Cheltenham

Proschema

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

held up in rear, headway on outer after 2 out, outpaced approaching last, weakened run-in

8/1

8th

1

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:50 Cheltenham

Proschema

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

held up in rear, headway on outer after 2 out, outpaced approaching last, weakened run-in

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £56.10
Straight Forecast £46.37
Tricast £147.49
Trifecta £138.00

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Dashel Drasher

LAMBOURN:

Champ

RP Ratings:

Sire Du Berlais

Daily Mirror:

Home By The Lee

SPOTLIGHT:

Flooring Porter

The Times:

Marie's Rock

The Sun:

Home By The Lee

WEST COUNTRY:

Dashel Drasher

The Star:

Dashel Drasher

Daily Record:

Dashel Drasher

The Guardian:

Champ

Daily Mail:

Champ

D Express:

Champ

POSTDATA:

Sire Du Berlais

Telegraph:

Sire Du Berlais