13:45
William Hill Molyneux Hurdle Race (Grade 2) (Formerly Registered As The Elite Hurdle) (GBB Race)
Grade 2, Class 1, 2m1f, Hurdle, 4yo+, £41,608, 4 runners
Winning time 4m 3.35s
- Going
- Good To Soft
- Surface
- Turf
Tip for this race
All today's tips ›Alexei No. 1
Harry Cobden · Joe Tizzard
✓ Top rated ✓ Trainer in form (7/26, 14 days) ✓ Back from a 212-day break
Alexei looks the right one to side with in this four-runner Aintree contest, as our top-rated runner on 157 and a useful six pounds clear of Lucky Place on 151. That gap over the closest rival is meaningful without being overwhelming, and seventeen furlongs on good to soft ground should hold no obvious fears for a horse of his calibre. Lucky Place is the main danger and sits closest in the ratings, while Mange Tout and Melon, rated 137 and 130, would need to improve markedly to get involved. Alexei is our selection.
Result
Harry Cobden
Joe Tizzard
In the pack early - raced untidily in 3rd before travelling smoothly 2 out and close to the front - driven to head the field at the last - pulled away final 110yds to win
Mark Walsh
Gordon Elliott
sat just behind the pace-setter but jumped and travelled awkwardly down to 6th - cruised up to hit the front 2 out - strong challenge until passed at the last - run out of steam final 110yds to finish 2nd
Nico de Boinville
Nicky Henderson
Made all the running - under pressure and overtaken after a clumsy jump 2 out - soon left behind by the front pair to finish 3rd
Robert Dunne
Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
Trailed throughout - finished 4th and well beaten
Non-runners: Mydaddypaddy
Racecard
Harry Cobden
Joe Tizzard 7/26
Alexei has finished in the first four in each of his last five starts, with wins five and three starts back and a third last time out, and he has run over today's trip and going before. Trainer is in form, though 212 days off is the one reservation, and our rating makes him the one to beat.
- Sire
- Tai Chi (GER)
- Dam
- Andromeda (GER) by Mount Nelson
- Owner
- Brocade Racing
- Foaled
- 26 Mar 2020
- Stable
- Milborne Port, Dorset
- Trainer last 14 days
- 7 wins from 26 runs (27%)
- Trainer running to form
- 57%
- Ratings
- Perf 157
Nico de Boinville
Nicky Henderson 3/13
Placed in four of his last five, including a second last time out, Lucky Place is yet to win in that spell but has been consistently thereabouts, and he has run on today's going. The risk is 196 days off the track, and 154 lb is a big weight to carry back.
- Sire
- Pastorius (GER)
- Dam
- Luckystar Du Frene (FR) by Perrault
- Owner
- Mrs G Van Geest M George
- Foaled
- 19 Apr 2019
- Stable
- Upper Lambourn, Berks
- Trainer last 14 days
- 3 wins from 13 runs (23%)
- Trainer running to form
- 59%
- Ratings
- Perf 151
Robert Dunne
Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero 3/27
Melon has a solid profile, winning two starts back and finishing second three starts back, and he has run over today's trip and going before after a 28-day break. The risk is an unplaced effort last time out, and he carries 154 lb off an official mark of 129.
- Sire
- Adlerflug (GER)
- Dam
- Mrs Miller (GER) by Lord Of England
- Owner
- Rockerfellers
- Foaled
- 4 Mar 2021
- Stable
- Oldcastle, Cheshire
- Trainer last 14 days
- 3 wins from 27 runs (11%)
- Trainer running to form
- 37%
- Ratings
- Perf 130
Harry Skelton
Dan Skelton 19/96
- Sire
- Walk In The Park (IRE)
- Dam
- Debdebdeb (GB) by Teofilo
- Owner
- Dermot Hanafin
- Foaled
- 6 May 2021
- Stable
- Alcester, Warwicks
- Trainer last 14 days
- 19 wins from 96 runs (20%)
Mark Walsh
Gordon Elliott 8/48
Four wins in her last five starts, including last time out, with a third two starts back the only blip, and she has run over today's trip and going before. The one concern is a 212-day layoff, while 150 lb is a hefty burden.
- Sire
- Born To Sea (IRE)
- Dam
- Brune Ecossaise (FR) by Le Fou
- Owner
- Robcour
- Foaled
- 20 Apr 2022
- Stable
- Longwood, Co Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 8 wins from 48 runs (17%)
- Trainer running to form
- 40%
- Ratings
- Perf 137
Draw in brackets. Headgear: b blinkers, v visor, h hood, t tongue strap, p cheekpieces, e/s eye shield; ¹ first time. C course winner, D distance winner, CD course and distance winner. Form reads oldest to newest.