April 11 / 15.05 Aintree

15.05

Good To Soft

Jet2 Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £140325
  • 3m 0f 149y
  • Class 1
  • 11 runners
ITV
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Jet2 Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.30
  • Place: £2.00

Form: P-6411 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 161

Form & Verdict
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.
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

25/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: -62334 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Filly

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Not at the top of her game in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last month but this sort of trip may be her optimum; neck second to Strong Leader at Wetherby (3m, good) in November and creditable third behind Impose Toi and Strong Leader in another Grade 2 at Newbury (3m, soft) later that month; ran well here 12 months ago; each-way claims if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

12

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Take No Chances

11st 3lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Not at the top of her game in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last month but this sort of trip may be her optimum; neck second to Strong Leader at Wetherby (3m, good) in November and creditable third behind Impose Toi and Strong Leader in another Grade 2 at Newbury (3m, soft) later that month; ran well here 12 months ago; each-way claims if back on song.

25/1

4th

6

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Take No Chances

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won Grade 2 mares' event at Ascot before finishing third to Lossiemouth in this and the Aintree Hurdle (Wodhooh 8l ahead in second) last spring; has slightly bettered those RPRs in defeat on all four outings this season and she's an each-way player again.

9/1

3rd

3

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Take No Chances

11st 1lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won Grade 2 mares' hurdle at Ascot (1m7f, good) last January and she's looked better than ever when running really well in defeat against males in Grade 2s at Wetherby (3m, good) and Newbury (3m, soft) on last two starts; she'll be fine now back down in trip and may well be in the mix.

3/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 11-235 C

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 155

Form & Verdict
Won the Grade 1 Mersey Novices' Hurdle here 12 months ago (2m4f, good); just two runs in current campaign and they've been positive performances in Grade 1s, finishing third in the Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft) and fifth in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham (3m, good); this lightly raced 6yo could have more to offer back here in a first-time tongue-tie; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:05 Punchestown

Honesty Policy

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Gordon Elliott

Won the Grade 1 Mersey Novices' Hurdle last year (2m4f, good); ended the season with second over C&D; all three runs this season in Grade 1s, third in the Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft), fifth in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham (3m, good), third behind Home By The Lee at Aintree; could be in the mix for Teahupoo's trainer.

9/2

3rd

6

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Honesty Policy

11st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Gordon Elliott

Won the Grade 1 Mersey Novices' Hurdle here 12 months ago (2m4f, good); just two runs in current campaign and they've been positive performances in Grade 1s, finishing third in the Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft) and fifth in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham (3m, good); this lightly raced 6yo could have more to offer back here in a first-time tongue-tie; chance.

3/1

5th

7

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Honesty Policy

11st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Gordon Elliott

Stayed on well to win 2m4f Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree (good) last April and suited by the step up in trip when close second in Grade 1 at Punchestown (3m, yielding) later that month, when clear with Jasmin De Vaux who was impressive in the Albert Bartlett here previously; promising third behind Impose Toi in the Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in December on sole run this winter, and this very lightly raced 6yo has the potential to take high rank in the staying hurdle division.

13/2

Form: 17-201

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Won the mares' novice hurdle at last season's Cheltenham Festival (2m1f, good to soft) and returned to form to win the Martin Pipe Handicap there (2m4f, soft) last month; she has something to find now back up in grade, even with the 7lb mares' allowance, but she powered up the hill last time and has an Irish National winner in her pedigree, so the step up in trip might prompt further improvement; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Air Of Entitlement

11st 3lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won the mares' novice hurdle at last season's Cheltenham Festival (2m1f, good to soft) and returned to form to win the Martin Pipe Handicap there (2m4f, soft) last month; she has something to find now back up in grade, even with the 7lb mares' allowance, but she powered up the hill last time and has an Irish National winner in her pedigree, so the step up in trip might prompt further improvement; not discounted.

11/1

1st

3

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Air Of Entitlement

11st 10lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Henry De Bromhead

Stays 2m4f; got up close home in the Grade 2 novice hurdle for mares at this meeting 12 months ago (2m1f, good to soft); no further progress in three starts since, disappointing in Listed handicap latest, but may raise her game returned to the Cheltenham Festival; not ruled out.

9/1

2nd

1

4th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

14:45 Fairyhouse

Air Of Entitlement

11st 13lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Point/bumper winner; easy winner of a 2m4f maiden hurdle at Down Royal last Christmas; no problem with the shorter distance (2m1f) when beating the favourite Sixandahalf in the Grade 2 mares' novice at Cheltenham; failed to reproduce that form in 2m4f Grade 1 mares' event here in April; no easy task here giving weight to the geldings; stable's form a positive.

5/2

Form: 271-95 CD

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 158

Form & Verdict
Well beaten at Punchestown last May and at Navan in February on sole start since; however, this race has brought out the best in him in the last two seasons, as he finished third in 2024 (good to soft) and first last year (good); could bounce back and play another leading role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

7th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 0y

18:38 Wexford

Hiddenvalley Lake

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Henry De Bromhead

Classy hurdler rated (154) some way superior to these, career highlight when winning 3m Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree just over a year ago; only fifth when attempting repeat win there last month but looks a class apart from these rivals if anyway fluent in his jumping (wasn't that on sole previous chase start back in December 2023); interesting jockey booking.

8/11

5th

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Hiddenvalley Lake

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Well beaten at Punchestown last May and at Navan in February on sole start since; however, this race has brought out the best in him in the last two seasons, as he finished third in 2024 (good to soft) and first last year (good); could bounce back and play another leading role.

6/1

Form: 1U-721 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 153

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham in January (2m4f, good; no match for Kabral Du Mathan) when his jumping lacked fluency, then convincing winner of the BetMGM Cup (Handicap) at Cheltenham (2m5f, good to soft) last month; he should be fine now back up in trip, having won a 3m Grade 2 novice chase last season, and this unexposed 7yo could have a part to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 1

16:02 Sandown

Jingko Blue

11st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Has shown good form over 2m4f/2m5f at Cheltenham this term, finishing second to Kabral Du Mathan in Grade 2 and recording an emphatic success from the front in Festival handicap; failed to get home in 3m Grade 1 at Aintree last time; one of the main contenders, back down in distance.

11/2

6th

8

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Jingko Blue

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Runner-up in Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham in January (2m4f, good; no match for Kabral Du Mathan) when his jumping lacked fluency, then convincing winner of the BetMGM Cup (Handicap) at Cheltenham (2m5f, good to soft) last month; he should be fine now back up in trip, having won a 3m Grade 2 novice chase last season, and this unexposed 7yo could have a part to play.

11/2

1st

10

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Jingko Blue

11st 3lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Unseated last February in his third chase but won the previous two and that form makes this hurdles mark look highly tempting; second to a fine prospect over hurdles here on New Year's Day (Lucky Place third) suggested he's on his way back; bold show likely for a top trainer with three solid candidates.

10/1

Form: 341432 C

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Course winner who keeps on improving and was a fine second of 24 in the Pertemps Final (Handicap) at Cheltenham (3m, good) last month; receives 7lb mares' allowance but today's assignment requires a clear career best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Lavida Adiva

11st 3lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Ruth Jefferson

Course winner who keeps on improving and was a fine second of 24 in the Pertemps Final (Handicap) at Cheltenham (3m, good) last month; receives 7lb mares' allowance but today's assignment requires a clear career best.

50/1

2nd

11

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Lavida Adiva

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

Never better than on her last three starts, winning a Listed mares' hurdle at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) on first occasion; minor honours in Grade 2 events since (hooded last time, not today); reliable and basically progressive but she needs to resume improvement in this hot handicap.

16/1

3rd

6

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 1

14:05 Haydock

Lavida Adiva

10st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

7yo who has shown improved form this season and won a Listed mares' hurdle at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in December; similar form when held in fourth in mares' Grade 2 there (3m, soft) three weeks ago and it seems likely she'll prove vulnerable today; wears a first-time hood.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 23453P D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Won the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham (3m, good to soft) last March and some respectable runs in Grade 2s this term; wore blinkers when pulled up in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham last month and is back in his usual cheekpieces this afternoon, but he still has something to find.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Doddiethegreat

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nicky Henderson

Won the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham (3m, good to soft) last March and some respectable runs in Grade 2s this term; wore blinkers when pulled up in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham last month and is back in his usual cheekpieces this afternoon, but he still has something to find.

28/1

3

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Doddiethegreat

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Won the Pertemps Final Handicap over C&D (good to soft) last March and he's performed respectably in Graded races this term, most recently third of six over C&D behind Ma Shantou and Impose Toi (soft; jockey dropped whip after final flight); it's possible he'll produce his best performance of the season now he's back into a bigger field over a C&D that clearly suits, but he'll probably still come up short; blinkers replace cheekpieces.

50/1

3rd

4

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Doddiethegreat

11st 6lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Nicky Henderson

Won the Pertemps Handicap Final over C&D (good to soft) at the Festival last March; he has something to find with Impose Toi and Strong Leader on the evidence of this season's three outings but he's been running pretty well and the return to Cheltenham may be a positive; not ruled out each-way.

7/1

Form: -71457 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
Career highlight when winning the King George over fences at Kempton in December 2023; won two conditions hurdles last year; gave it a very good go from the front when seventh in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham (3m, good) last month following wind surgery but this 11yo is probably vulnerable once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Hewick

12st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Has been a fantastic standard-bearer for his yard, winning 12 races between hurdles and fences including the King George in 2023; hasn't been at that level in the last year but ran respectably in the Stayers' Hurdle; has to bounce back from a poor Aintree run.

20/1

3

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Hewick

11st 10lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Career highlight when winning the King George over fences at Kempton in December 2023; won two conditions hurdles last year; gave it a very good go from the front when seventh in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham (3m, good) last month following wind surgery but this 11yo is probably vulnerable once more.

22/1

7th

5

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Hewick

11st 10lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Career highlight when winning the 2023 King George and he was running well when falling two out in the Gold Cup here that year; won two conditions hurdles last year; soundly beaten behind Impose Toi in Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m, soft) in November last time and, although he's had a wind op and better ground may aid his cause, this 11yo looks up against it.

33/1

Form: 21112P CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 158

Form & Verdict
Relished step up in trip when winning C&D handicap (good to soft) in November and won the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m, soft) and Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft) on his next two starts, with Strong Leader in second on both occasions; below par at Cheltenham on last two runs (good record there previously) and it was disconcerting that he was pulled up in the Stayers', but he's in the picture if back to his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Impose Toi

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Relished step up in trip when winning C&D handicap (good to soft) in November and won the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m, soft) and Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft) on his next two starts, with Strong Leader in second on both occasions; below par at Cheltenham on last two runs (good record there previously) and it was disconcerting that he was pulled up in the Stayers', but he's in the picture if back to his best.

13/2

8

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Impose Toi

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Handicap runner-up at last year's Festival; made it 3-3 over staying trips in the Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in December; not seen to same effect when 7l second to Ma Shantou in the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle over C&D in January but was conceding 6lb to the winner and the soft going perhaps wasn't ideal; could have a part to play if bouncing back to his best.

10/1

2nd

2

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Impose Toi

11st 8lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

A revelation this season since upped to staying trips, winning a handicap at Aintree (3m, good to soft) and enjoying further success in Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m, soft) and Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft); beat Strong Leader by just over 1l last time and he's produced positive performances on both previous runs here; he's the one to beat.

4/5

Form: 2-1226 CD

Last run: 77 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 155

Form & Verdict
Tailed off at Cheltenham in January but that's not his track and he's had a wind op since; prior to that he ran well when runner-up to Impose Toi at Newbury and Ascot, and his Aintree form figures read 1212 with his last two visits being in this race (good to soft/good); there can be considerable optimism that he'll be a key player back here; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Strong Leader

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Tailed off at Cheltenham in January but that's not his track and he's had a wind op since; prior to that he ran well when runner-up to Impose Toi at Newbury and Ascot, and his Aintree form figures read 1212 with his last two visits being in this race (good to soft/good); there can be considerable optimism that he'll be a key player back here; tongue-tie added.

4/1

6th

3

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Strong Leader

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Runner-up to Impose Toi on last two starts (3m, soft/good to soft), latest when beaten just over 1l off level weights (same today) in the Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot; his record at Cheltenham is patchy but he ran well when third in this in 2024; on form he's the stand-out danger to Impose Toi.

9/2

1st

1

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 1

14:22 Wetherby

Strong Leader

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Reappeared with a win in the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m, soft) last November and finished second in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree (3m, good) in April, having won that same Grade 1 12 months earlier; leading claims despite conceding weight all round.

7/4

Non-runners

Happy Jacky

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £111.10
Straight Forecast £87.74
Tricast £282.09
Trifecta £364.50

Selections

LAMBOURN:

Jingko Blue

RP RATINGS:

Home By The Lee

POSTDATA:

Honesty Policy

SPOTLIGHT:

Strong Leader

Telegraph:

Impose Toi

The Star:

Hiddenvalley Lake

The Times:

Honesty Policy

Daily Mail:

Jingko Blue

D Express:

Jingko Blue

Daily Record:

Jingko Blue

The Guardian:

Strong Leader

TOPSPEED:

Home By The Lee

Daily Mirror:

Home By The Lee