15:25 Aintree

Thursday 8 April 2021

All13:4514:2014:5015:2516:0516:4017:15

Betway Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 4m 58.15s

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Selected odds by:

Abacadabras^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 158

5/1

Smart hurdler who was back on song when second to Honeysuckle in Irish Champion in February. Fell at the third in the Champion Hurdle won by that rival at Cheltenham last time. First try beyond 2m.

Form: 2-2152F

Ballyandy⁷⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 154| D

50/1

Smart hurdler who returned at the top of his game in finishing placed in Welsh Champion, Greatwood and International Hurdle. Proved a let-down at Haydock last time, though, and others preferred.

Form: 8-22333

Brewin'upastorm^t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 158

15/2

Very smart hurdler who has resumed his progress back in this sphere, easily defying top weight in a Taunton handicap and following up in National Spirit at Fontwell. Lots to like and big chance.

Form: 1U-6511

Buveur D'Air⁷⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 158| BF| CD

6/1

Fell when bidding for Champion Hurdle hat-trick in 2019. Missed most of last season due to injury and understandably shaped as if needing the run in Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock last time.

Form: 1F2/12-2

Buzz⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 153

22/1

Useful on the level and even better over hurdles, again shaping well when fifth of 23 in Betfair Hurdle at Newbury (16.3f) last time, left plenty to do after blundering 4 out. Remains with potential.

Form: 14-3125

Jason The Militant^t⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 158

3/1

Proved better than ever when beating Petit Mouchoir by 7½ lengths to land 2m Fairyhouse Grade 3 40 days ago. Has raced only at 2m but shapes as if he'll stay and shouldn't be underestimated.

Form: 151-331

McFabulous³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 158| BF| C

9/2

Ran out an authoritative winner of Relkeel Hurdle at Kempton. Lacklustre effort when second to Brewin'upastorm in National Spirit since but very much the type to bounce back.

Form: 11-1312

Millers Bank³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 147

80/1

Progressive sort who has won 4 of his 7 hurdle starts, producing his best effort yet when storming clear to land Newbury handicap last month. Clearly likeable, but this is his stiffest task to date.

Form: 1-98121

Not So Sleepy²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: H Morrison| OR: 155

20/1

Front-runner who has won back-to-back renewals of the Betfair Exchange Trophy (Handicap) at Ascot. Far from disgraced in the Champion Hurdle but likely to prove vulnerable for win purposes again.

Form: 10P-R15

Silver Streak²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: T J O'Brien| T: Evan Williams| OR: 163

14/1

Smart hurdler who proved suited by a change of tactics when making all in Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. Perhaps made his effort earlier than ideal in the Champion Hurdle and should bounce back here.

Form: 6-1C216

Song For Someone⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: David Bass| T: T Symonds| OR: 158| BF

15/2

Better than ever when landing Grade 2s at Ascot and Cheltenham on first 2 starts this term. Wasn't in the same form when remote second to Goshen in Kingwell but shouldn't be written off.

Form: 321-112

Forecasts

Jason The Militant (3/1), McFabulous (9/2), Abacadabras (5/1), Buveur D'Air (6/1), Brewin'upastorm (15/2), Song For Someone (15/2), Silver Streak (14/1), Not So Sleepy (20/1), Buzz (22/1), Ballyandy (50/1), Millers Bank (80/1)

A fascinating race. Olly Murphy's BREWIN'UPASTORM has looked better than ever since reverting to hurdles and it's not out of the question that there could still be more to come from him, so he receives the vote to make the breakthrough at Grade 1 level. McFabulous meets the selection on more favourable terms this time and is a big threat, along with Jason The Militant.