Sefton Novices' Hurdle 2014

4.15 Aintree

Doom Bar Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)  (4YO plus) 
Winner £56,270

Advice: 1 pt win Beat That (6/1 Betfred), Killa Quay, (7/1 Stan James)

Beat That: Looked a neat horse when taking Ascot maiden in style (second has since really made that form look impressive since) and then gave 3lbs but couldn’t get past Killa Quay at Sandown; If back in the same form and staying trip properly off levels, likely to take some beating today.

Capote: Bought home the money on PTP win at Tattersalls Farm and then dug in when finding too much for his rivals at Catterick; Didn’t need to do much when second pulled up at Exeter lately but won’t be many staying better later today and been given the vote to go here.

Cogry: Based on 52 length eighth in Grade 1 at Cheltenham last time, better options in this field.

Cole Harden: Underlined himself as a useful horse long before he took on Un Temps Pour Tout at Ascot but put in his place there and didn’t shape as a stayer in Neptune latest when sent from the front; First run beyond 2m5f today and others make more appeal.

Deadly Sting: Winner here in bumper all the way back in Febuary and fair first effort over hurdles at Market Rasen  (2m5f); Needs masses more.

Flatfoot Boogie: Based on Killarney win over Lots of Memories (that was reversed the next time), 3m should be within reach, but whether improvement comes for that trip and if it’s enough for him to make the shakeup here.

Giantofaman: Couldn’t get involved in Thurles novice but way that he strode clear at Thurles was extremely taking and suggested improved upped to this trip; Form of that race not working out well but likely to be a different horse at this trip if repeating it and ground not an issue based on maiden hurdle win.

Killala Quay: Disappointed in Cheltenham C&D handicap but back to form to better Beat That in Sandown Grade 2 getting 3lbs; Ground sunk him at Warwick next time but much better when fourth in Neptune at the Festival, going on nicely at the finish

Mondo Cane: Went straight to chasing but that apparently not his game; Not much better when second on novice hurdle debut; This a different level.

Port Melon: Only the one run when 3^rd in Grade 2 at Cheltenham in November but entitled to be the better for that experience (flattened out late having held a chance coming to the last); Form has been let down a tad since but one would imagine he should stay well and could be interesting.

Racing Pulse: Making into a very good novice before finding weight too much behind Abusson at Cheltenham in very good novice and then thrashed when odds on by today’s favourite at Musselbrugh; Not sure that he got home that day and while better ground may be the one for him, needs more.

Seeyouatmidnight: Three from three over hurdles, making all for Grade 2 successes last time at Haydock, that time beating all aged hurdlers, an impressive achievement even with some of them being on the wane; That form sets the standard but now must cope with faster ground under rules for the first time (won PTP on it); Should take the beating.

The Last Samuri: Greatly improved since sharply stepped up in trip for McCain yard, taking 3m1f soft ground novice in some style latest; This obviously a massive step up but sure to go on the ground and can’t fault attitude; One to consider.

Themanfrom Minella: Different performance when stepped upto 2m4f at Huntingdon latest promising with further step up in trip in mind today but a huge amount more demanded.

Tistory: Only seventh when fancied for bumper last year here; 2-1 over hurdles, best form when striding clear at Doncaster for a clear cut success under hefty weight last time; Half brother to Punchestown a possible improver for the step up in trip today and can’t be underestimated.

Walk On Al: Shown himself to be a good stayer but 13 lengths behind Urban Hymn when tried in Grade 2 company and has to improve from that today.

Tagrita: Made it four from 5 when taking Listed mares' event at Wincanton in February (2m4f, heavy); This a different kettle of fish today for her but does stay 3m at least and bigger worry would how the ground goes for her today.

Touberra: Would have been a rather short price if coming here after she recorded her fifth hurdles success in a Grade 2 at Haydock, but seemingly gone backwards in her two starts since and would seem to need much deeper ground.

VERDICT: A wide-open renewal with several holding great promise for a step up in trip. The best of those may be BEAT THAT and KIALLA QUAY, who clashed at Sandown in December with the latter underlining that form when fourth in the Neptune, looking as if this trip was well within his range. Seeyouatmidnight is going to take some beating if as good as he was last time on this ground, and Giantofaman may be the best of the rest although Port Melon shouldn’t be discounted.