Racecards
13:45 Aintree
John Smith's Mersey Novices' Hurdle (grade 2) (Class 1)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £60,000 added
- Form 415121
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 144
- Trainer Karen McLintock
- Jockey G Lee
led, headed approaching 2 out, weakened last
- Form 21101
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
held up towards rear, making headway when hampered 3 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on towards finish
- Form 1-234
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Tim Vaughan
- Jockey R J Killoran
held up towards rear and keen, headway 5th, mistake 7th, soon lost place
- Form 162012
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
held up towards rear, hampered 3 out, headway 2 out, ridden approaching last, no extra flat
Najaf (FR)
22- Form 312312
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
in touch, outpaced 7th, pushed along and hit 3 out, ridden and headway approaching last, kept on to take 3rd flat
- Form 1-1111
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 148
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey J M Maguire
tracked leaders and keen, led approaching 2 out, not fluent last, ridden flat, kept on well
- Form 633R
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer H Morrison
- Jockey D C Costello
tracked leader and keen, not fluent 5th, challenged 3 out, mistake next, soon weakened
- Form 3/10-16
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Miss L Harrison
- Jockey R McGrath
held up in rear, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened
- Form 1-731F8
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey J E Moore
mid-division, headway 7th, disputing 3rd when blundered badly 3 out, soon weakened
Verdict
PEDDLARS CROSS looks a superstar and is fancied to win again at the main expense of Najaf and Duke Of Lucca. Donald McCain's superstar was an excellent winner at Cheltenham and is now unbeaten on all of his starts. He handles any ground and as long as his Cheltenham race hasn't left too hard a mark he should run well. Najaf was second to Berties Dream in the three mile race last month and he looks a progressive recruit from France who will love the track. His trainer will be looking to add another winner this week and this gelding surprised quite a few people with his performance in the Albert Bartlett. Lucky William looks an interesting Irish contender after running well in a Grade Two at Navan when last seen, whilst Duke Of Lucca won well last time at Taunton in a weaker race but is considered despite having plenty to find on a form line through Reve De Sivola. Bygones Of Brid is already a Grade Two winner and his progress has hardly halted this year, whilst Vino Griego cannot be overlooked now stepping back up in trip. An interesting opener, but it looks a good chance for Peddlars Cross to score.
Formwatch
Bygones of Brid (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Raced keenly, disputed lead, led after 5th to before 4 out, led again before next, ridden and stayed on well to go clear flat, won at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Mar beating Soft Spoken Guy (11-5) by 9l, 11 ran.
Duke Of Lucca (IRE) 7-4 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 2nd, not fluent 3 out, in command 2 out, soon drew clear, easily, won at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Mar beating Pistolet Noir (11-3) by 7l, 6 ran.
J'Adhere (FR) 9-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders and keen, not fluent 3 out, ridden and weakened next, 4th of 7, 27l behind Captive Audience (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m NH mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Lucky William (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leader in 2nd, improved to challenge after 3 out, every chance next, switched to inner before last, no further impression, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Coole River (11-10) at Navan 2m nov hdl G2 hvy in Feb.
Najaf (FR) 25-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 9th, challenged after 2 out, hung left and every chance last, no impression flat, 2nd of 19, 6l behind Berties Dream (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Peddlers Cross (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) In touch on inside, smooth headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden to chase leading pair, led last, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar beating Reve De Sivola (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Sleepy Hollow 100-1 (11-7) Made most, driven and narrow advantage when ran out 2 out, in a race won by Peddlers Cross (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar, 17 ran.
Solway Sam 9-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, 6th of 11, 31l behind Nafaath (10-7) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Mar.
Vino Griego (FR) 50-1 (11-7) Mid-division, outpaced 2 out, kept on, never on terms, 8th of 18, 13l behind Menorah (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.