Aintree 2011 - Mersey Novices Hurdle

1.45 Aintree

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

Winner £31,356

Pick: Spirit Son (win)

Bold Sir Brian: Beat anything he’d done before when winning a Grade 2 in very good style last time and form of that race has been well represented (third, fourth and fifth have won since) but will struggled based on form of runner up Desert Cry.

Cue Card: Won easily on debut and then ran away with Cheltenham Bumper last year, pulling clear of several good horses in strong renewal; Perfect debut over hurdles when jumping with fluency over today’s C&D and although he’s not quite fulfilled the promise shown when slamming Dunraven Storm since (well beaten by Menorah and again when 7-4 for Supreme), promises to be fitter here and step up in trip will help, so likely to be thereabouts.

Drill Sergeant: Decent novice hurdler (two wins this year) and not disgraced on tough tasks the last thrice, but has a lot to prove now in this company, having failed to make a real impact in top handicaps.  

Drive Time: Unbeaten on the flat for Jim Bolger (was ahead of Blackstairmounatin on the flat, and also Red Rock Canyon); Made a very stylish hurdles debut at Doncaster and while he also won last time, that sandwiches a disappointment at Cheltenham; Needs more to hack it here.

Maringo Bay: Largely unconsidered by many but lot of his form coming from strong novice hurdle at Ffos Las (soft) is working out pretty well; That said, still passed over.

Rock On Ruby: Very progressive three time bumper winner who fairly slammed a useful field first time out over hurdles at Newbury, leading into and out of the mist (Grade 1 second Megastar beaten 6 lengths, and a previous 15 length winner well back in third); Has since posted two fine efforts in top class races, behind Albert Bartlett winner Bobs Worth and then just pipped by First Lieutant at Festival; The one to beat.

Spirit Son: Three from four; One time winner in France; Followed up an effortless British debut win with a wide margin romp in soft ground Listed Hurdle at Exeter ; Ran a cracker when outstayed by Al Ferof in the Supreme Novices Hurdle (had been in van a long way from home) and every chance again here, although this just as tough; Shapes as if 2m4f will suit.

Storm Brig: Sent off a warm order for the race which Bold Sir Brian won so impressively at Kelso off the back of two impressive wins; Could bounce back here but that not necessarily enough to make an impact.

Sam Winner: Had shown useful form when coming second on all three French starts and duly built on that when romping home in JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial by unextended 15 lengths smashing solid Grandouet with ease; Well beaten fourth in Finale Juvenile Hurdle over Christmas but mighty effort to pass 18 horses in Triumph, shaping as if he needed step up in trip; Obvious chance here.

VERDICT: A real treat to start off Grand National day and a chance to compare the form of the Triumph, Supreme, and Neptune Novice hurdles. Sticky speaking Rock On Ruby sets the standard but SPRIT SON, who ran so well in defeat in the Supreme when well ahead of Cue Card, is taken to make amends here. He should stay and a flat track will help. Cue Card can get closer here as that run will have brought him on physically, while Bold Sir Brian is also given a shout.