15:35 Aintree

Saturday 9 April 2022

All13:4514:2515:0015:3516:1517:1518:20

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

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 6m 9.21s

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Selected odds by:

Champ²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: N J Henderson| OR: 162| CD

3/1

RSA Chase winner in 2020 who proved he remains equally effective over timber when winning the Long Walk (Thyme Hill second) on return. Creditable 4 lengths fourth to Flooring Porter (Thyme Hill second) in Stayers' at Cheltenham last month.

Form: 1/2P-124

Flooring Porter^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: D E Mullins| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 164

11/8

Took full advantage of an uncontested lead when defeating Thyme Hill and Champ to land a second successive win in the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last month. The one to beat, particularly if not pestered on the front end.

Form: 11P-F21

Koshari^p²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: D F O'Regan| T: D M Christie| OR: 152| CD

25/1

Smart on his day and ran right up to his best when running out an 80/1 winner of C&D handicap on yard debut in November. Ran as well could be expected when seventh to Flooring Porter in Stayers' at Cheltenham but surely vulnerable at this level once again.

Form: 650317

Roi Mage²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: P Griffin| OR: 135

100/1

Smart chaser in France who was successful in a Down Royal chase last month on just his second start for this yard, but his hurdle form is a good way short of the standard which will be required here.

Form: 134751

Sire Du Berlais^b,t²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: M P Walsh| T: G Elliott| OR: 156| BF

16/1

Runner-up to Flooring Porter in last year's Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham. Didn't enjoy much luck (badly hampered) when only midfield in Pertemps at this year's Festival and he's likely in a bit better heart than his recent form figures might imply.

Form: 32-2P40

Thomas Darby^t⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 155

25/1

Back to best when landing Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m) in November but he was behind a couple of these in the Long Walk 3 weeks later. Likely found heavy ground against him when pulled up at Haydock latest.

Form: 03-414P

Thyme Hill²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 161| CD

3/1

Won this 12 months ago. As good as ever when second in Long Walk (to Champ) and Stayers' (to Flooring Porter, Champ behind in fourth) this term. Another prominent showing looks assured.

Form: 121-522

Molly Ollys Wishes^t⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 145| BF| D

16/1

Likeable mare who boasts a good strike rate, landing Grade 2 mares' event at Ascot (23.5f) in January. Found out by very testing ground at Haydock since and treated as if still in form.

Form: 13-151P

Non-Runners

Ashdale Bob²⁴

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: Mrs J Harrington J: R M Power

Forecasts

Flooring Porter (11/8), Champ (3/1), Thyme Hill (3/1), Ashdale Bob (10/1), Sire Du Berlais (16/1), Molly Ollys Wishes (16/1), Thomas Darby (25/1), Koshari (25/1), Roi Mage (100/1)

It remains to be seen whether FLOORING PORTER is granted as soft a lead as he was at Cheltenham but his slick hurdling is a real asset and he still has to be considered the one to beat. Last year's winner Thyme Hill can confirm recent superiority over Champ and give Gavin Cromwell's charge most to think about.