16:40 Aintree

Friday 9 April 2021

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

Doom Bar Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:42 | Winning time: 6m 13.8s

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Selected odds by:

Ahoy Senor³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

66/1

Successful pointer who showed promise in a bumper and created a good impression when making a winning start over hurdles at Ayr (20.4f) last month. Open to progress but this a major step up in class.

Form: U-121

Bothwell Bridge⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 131

16/1

Useful in bumpers and made it 2 out of 3 over hurdles when ultimately presented with an easy opening at Hereford (25.5f). Stamina his forte but this asks a different question.

Form: 22-131

Bravemansgame²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 150

13/8

Completed hat-trick in fine style in Grade 1 Challow at Newbury (2m4f) by 10l from Star Gate. Limitations exposed a little when third in the Ballymore but still sets the standard now up in trip.

Form: 6-21113

Champagnesuperover^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Adrian Heskin| T: O Murphy| OR: 137

28/1

Useful bumper winner who got firmly back on track after a wind op when convincing scorer of 2m4f Ayr novice. Ridden to get the trip upped in class in the Albert Bartlett and ran well in seventh .

Form: 3-24127

Doyen Breed^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 126| BF

33/1

Bumper winner who confirmed promise of placed efforts in handicaps for new yard when off the mark at Ayr (3m). Collared close home at Kelso recently and this is a different level altogether.

Form: 43-2212

Gallyhill⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 136

11/2

Cost £450,000 after sole point win and workmanlike when landing 16.3f Newbury novice in January. Held back by greenness when beaten by Midnight River at Ascot but remains one to be positive about.

Form: 1-12

Midnight River⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 141

4/1

Placed in strong bumpers and made experience over hurdles count when recording win number 3 at Ascot in February, seeing off Gallyhill. Looks well worth a go at 3m.

Form: 3-12141

Oscar Elite^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 142

15/2

Winning pointer who looked useful when bagging two Chepstow novice hurdles before Christmas. Tongue tie seemingly helped a lot when an excellent second in the Albert Bartlett.

Form: 1-11932

Pats Fancy²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 132

80/1

Looked useful prospect when making winning hurdling bow at Ffos Las in November. Upped in class and found wanting both starts this year.

Form: 2612P0

Sizable Sam⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 131| BF

25/1

Bumper winner who recorded novice/handicap wins at Wincanton (up to 21.4f) during the winter. Sound fifth on first try over 3m since but needs to advance his form a lot to figure in this.

Form: 21-2115

Streets Of Doyen^p,t1²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: S D Torrens| T: J C McConnell| OR: 141

11/2

Useful form when completing four-timer at Cheltenham in October. Well held at Naas but back over a more suitable trip and much more like it when third in the Albert Bartlett. Tongue tie added.

Form: 111163

Topofthecotswolds²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 130

50/1

Useful chaser who put experience to good use when making all in a novice hurdle at Doncaster last month. Stays this far but dominating this field an entirely different undertaking.

Form: 213581

Non-Runners

Alaphilippe²¹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 7

T: F O'Brien J: P J Brennan

Cape Gentleman⁴¹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: E Mullins J: Rachael Blackmore

The Cob²¹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 7

T: B Pauling J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Bravemansgame (13/8), Midnight River (4/1), Streets Of Doyen (11/2), Gallyhill (11/2), Cape Gentleman (11/2), Oscar Elite (15/2), Alaphilippe (12/1), Bothwell Bridge (16/1), Sizable Sam (25/1), The Cob (25/1), Champagnesuperover (28/1), Doyen Breed (33/1), Topofthecotswolds (50/1), Ahoy Senor (66/1), Pats Fancy (80/1)

BRAVEMANSGAME couldn't live with the turn of foot displayed by the top-class winner of the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle last month, but he meets nothing of Bob Olinger's ilk here, and with this step up in trip promising to suit, he can regain the winning thread. Cape Gentleman and Gallyhill are arguably open to the most progress and head the opposition.