Mersey Novices Hurdle 2012

1.45 Aintree

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

Winner £28,475 -

Advice: 4 pts double Sprinter Sacre & Simonsig (runs 1.45) (1.73 Hills)

Aland Islands: Comes here unbeaten in 3, having landed Exeter bumper and novice hurdles at Hexham and Doncaster; Form of all 3 wins looks solid now, with the well held second (stablemate of Super Duty) in his novice at Doncaster winning with ease next time out, albeit at long odds on; Worthy of major respect.

Colour Squadron: Down the field in Supreme at Cheltenham but had looked like a very good novice beforehand, beating Montbazon by a length and then throwing away his chance of a Grade 1 win at Sandown in the meantime by hanging badly left after last; Interesting here with trip shaping as if it would suit on occasions.

Flycorn: Been very highly tried since his maiden hurdle win at Tipperary in October, running in Graded events three time since then, and finishing midfield in the MCR Hurdle; This looks too tough once again.

Go All The Way: Fourth in the Champion bumper last year but disappointing since, finishing well down the field at Punchestown and then blowing out on hurdle and seasonal debut; Much more needed here and chances rest entirely on him coming back to bumper form.

Maggio: On one of the longer losing streaks, or at least over hurdles with 15 defeats in this sphere; Winner of beginers chase in Febuary but outclassed as far as matters here are concerned.

Moltof: Had very successeful season since finshing in mid field during last year’s Triumph, winning three races on the bounce including Ascot Grade 2 in soft ground before Cheltenham flop in Martin Pipe Condtionals event; No reasons have come to light for that but clearly has talent and  booking of Ruby Walsh is very interesting.

Old Tricks: Ran into a highly regarded sablemate when second two starts ago on soft ground at Wincanton and made good use of nice opportunity being handed to him when winning with ease latest; This far harder.

Simonsig: One of the success stories of the season, winning 3 of 4 hurdles starts with unbeliveable ease apart from his meeting with Fingal Bay (himself a very high class horse) at Sandown; Always travelled well, so move to this track may see him become yet more impressive and the outstanding choice in this contest.

Super Duty: Might well be unbeaten but for falling at the last at Ayr two starts back and impressive spirit shown to deny Keys when giving him 8lbs at Ascot; That form gives him a strong challenge here and entitled to respect.

Baby Shine: Can count herself very unlucky not to have beaten It’s A Gimme at Southwell last time out, that following an impressive turnaround of form with Tempest River from Mares’ bumper here at least year’s meeting; Needs more than that but interesting place contender.

VERDICT: SIMONSIG was as impressive as any winner at the Festival and is the outstanding, albeit obvious choice, despite the presence of potentially very useful novices Aland Islands and Super Duty, While Colour Squadron is also interesting, one would be foolish to forget Moltof, who came into the Festival off the back of a hat trick, two of which were in pattern company; He could sneak a place if any of the principals disappoint under Ruby Walsh.