Aintree Festival 2013 - Mersey Novice Hurdle

1.45 Aintree

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

Winner £34,170

Advice 1 pt win Up and Go (15/8 general)

Dodging Bullets: Fourth last year in what’s turned out to be a strong Triumph hurdle and not put a foot wrong since, impressive in different ways when winning two contests at Cheltenham over 2 miles and then third in Christmas Hurdle; Flop in Supreme Novice Hurdle but potentially better for that (first run this year) and not without a chance of making amends with a longer trip on this track likely to help.

Strong form chance based on third to Melodic Rendezvous and Royal Boy on hurdling debut at Cheltenham and then hacked up in smaller company; Second in Grade 2 at Kelso latest may have exposed him a little and this a much tougher contest.

Morning Royalty: Promising debut on good in bumper but since then, raced exclusively on ground much softer than today’s surface; Beaten 35 lengths in Morebattle hurdle latest and others appeal more.

Seefood: Very useful form in Ireland, easy winner over Sizing Gold on hurdling and then second in Grade 2; Poor efforts the last the twice and hard to see him making impact here.

Ubak: Lot to like about his third to Taquin Du Seuil and My Tent Or Yours at Ascot but hugely flattered by the weights that day and will need non graded company to break his duck.

Up And Go: Deeply impressive when winning point at Lemonfield and then bumper at Uttoxeter; Under the pump when falling in Grade 2 earlier this season but way he’s won his next two starts suggests that he had a lot more left to give and latest win particularly impressive; This ground different but if handling it, has to have a serious chance.

Utopie Des Bordes: Best known as top class French chaser, winning, winning Grade 1 over 2m6f (heavy) at Auteuil in November (form boosted and then let down through Fago); UK form nothing to shout about but travelled well for most of Albert Bartlett before tank emptied and this track and trip guaranteed to suit better.

Vasco D’Iscy: Far too keen for his own good when only sixth in Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow; Better than that but different test of his credentials here.

VERDICT: Expect big runs from Dodging Bullets and Utopie Des Bordes on a track that will suit them down to the ground, but UP AND GO looks a worthy favourite based on the way he destroyed his opposition on his last two starts and if handling the good ground, looks to be the one to beat.