Aintree 2011 - John Smith's Top Novices' Hurdle

2.00 Aintree

John Smith's Top Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £31,356

Pick: Brampour (each/way)

Alarazi: Impressive when winning the Imperial Cup with plenty to spare over very solid yardstick for the time off 126; Flopped when favourite for the Country Hurdle although race might have come a bit soon and would want a flatter track like today.

Andhaar: Showed good attitude to take two novice hurdles on spin and so nearly made it a hat trick under penalty in decent event at Doncaster last time but this much harder and not fancied.

Desert Cry: Showed benefit of experience when trashing 120 rated horse (who opposes today) at Sedgefield and good run in Grade 2 at Kelso last month (third, fourth and fifth won next time as well as third also making frame of big handicap hurdle here yesterday) and given plenty of respect.

Iolith: Won his first two starts this season with considerable ease, bolting up at Taunton with seemingly plenty in hand; was entered in the Supreme Novice Hurdle, so was clearly well thought of but well beaten in handicap hurdle at Taunton.

Little Hercules: Clear cut winner of weak 2m Musselburgh novice hurdle after good efforts in Catterick bumpers; Should go onto better things but today’s test likely to be too tough.

Maggio: Plenty of decent efforts but this much too high for him; Brushed aside by Desert Cry at Sedgefield.

Perfect Smile: Strong-travelling sort who didn't need to be at best to cruise home at Punchestown on reappearance (was fully entitled to do so);Travelled very well coming to the home turn before emptying out in the straight in Royal Bond and unable to live with three very good horses in Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown; From worked out very well and ground should be perfect for him, so no surprise to see him go well.

Sire De Grugy: Progressive sort who had little trouble brushing aside modest opposition at Fakenham and Folkestone but notably impressive when landing Dovecote Novices Hurdle with ease from useful Empire Levant; Every chance here.

Toploski: Has achieved high level of form in both novice hurdle wins, getting better of useful field at Sandown with ease and then bolting up under big penalty from subsequent winner at Newton Abbot and likely to make the grade here.

Brampour: Listed placed on flat in France and one of most anticipated jumping recruits all season; Shaped with promise on debut at Kempton although would have been beaten by A Media Luz had she stayed up; Improved on that when coming home clear in good maiden hurdle at Taunton, looking as if he had Trop Fort beaten when left clear at last; Travelled quite well in Triumph until flattening out up the hill; This looks easier on face of it, flatter track should suit and may make a bold bid.

Empire Levant: Struggled for greenness when third behind useful pair in Titan De Sarti and Third Intention, and made amends quickly when fairly coasting home from Palawi at Doncaster; Put in his place by Sire De Grugy last time and result should be confirmed.

First In The Queue: Making a decent first of things on debut when staying on and still not beaten behind Brampour at Taunton and made amends in good style at Huntingdon last time; This harder but not discounted, for all that he needs to improve as well.

Polisky: No match for Supreme Novices third Sprinter Sacre at Ascot but ran well nevertheless and should be more to come, so given respect; Should enjoy strong pace on this ground.

Oilily: Been in first two all starts this season, coming good o good winner in mares Grade 3 at Down Royal in November; Should try her hardest but in all honesty, has too much ground to make up.

A Media Luz: Very smart filly on flat in France, winning her first 2 starts before runner up in a Group 3 at Saint Cloud and excellent sixth in the Prix Vermille; Taken time to get used to jumping, pulling her race away on first two runs before coming down when set to win at Kempton but put that right when bolting up from useful yardstick Panxatoa at Huntingdon 2 starts ago; Pulling too hard stopped her in Triumph last time but flat speedy track will suit, so well worth a good look.

VERDICT: BRAMPOUR is no more than a tentative choice to make the frame here, but he’s better than his finishing position suggest in the Triumph and this flat track may see an improvement. Sire De Grugy is the one to beat after an impressive display in Dovecote, and he should take all the beating here. Of those at bigger prices, Perfect Smile & Polisky make the most appeal, while Topolski can be expected to take a major hand.