Evening Hush makes big noise

A review of the rest of Saturday's meeting at Aintree as the impressive Evening Hush earned Cheltenham quotes.

Paul Moloney was full of praise for Evening Hush who maintained her unbeaten record in the Betfred TV Fillies' Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree.

The Listed contest was won by subsequent Group One scorer Jer's Girl 12 months ago and it would be no surprise if Evan Williams' youngster went on to emulate her given the ease of this success.

Moloney was always in control, with the 7-2 shot looking in a different league to her rivals and they were strung out like washing in behind, with Evening Hush strolling to a 21-length win from Castafiore.

However, the winner is always likely to need to a cut in the ground.

"She's very good," said Moloney. "But she does want soft ground. Luckily it's a different soil here, and what they call good to soft here would ride soft at Exeter, it's like a peat bog.

"She's got a big engine. Jamie Spencer rode her on the Flat in heavy ground and said you couldn't make enough use of her, so that's what we are doing."

Sky Bet went 25-1 about the winner for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and 16-1 for the Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

Call Me Vic (7/1) stayed out of trouble to prevail in an incident-packed Betfred Watch Sky Sports In Our Shops Handicap Chase.

Tom George's top weight was disputing the lead with The Fresh Prince when that one fell, bringing down Monbeg River, Oldgrangewood and Formidableopponent.

Daryl Jacob then looked a sitting duck as Somchine loomed up looking set to edge Andrew Thornton closer to his 1,000th winner but his run flattened out and it was Baileys Concerto who stayed on for second two and a half lengths away.

"He's game, he jumps and he gallops," said winning rider Daryl Jacob.

"He's been running over three miles so was always going to stay and I was very happy with him."

Harry Whittington's Charlemar (11/4) took his record to three out of four in the Betfred "Happy 50th John McKenna" Novices' Hurdle.

Jonjo O'Neill's newcomer Minotaur, a Listed winner on the Flat in France, was sent off the 6/5 favourite but having travelled well he made a mess of the last and finished tired, beaten four and a half lengths.

"I was thrilled with that and I don't really know how good he is because he shows us absolutely nothing at home," said Whittington.

"He just loves jumping, he finds it all so easy. Aidan (Coleman) said he'll make a proper chaser so we'll just look after him this year and go novice chasing next season."

When told his winner was receiving quotes for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, he replied: "I was hoping to get a mark for the Betfair (Hurdle)!"

Florrie Boy (9-2) returned to winning ways in the Betfred "Home Of Goals Galore" Handicap Hurdle.

Twice a winner last season he had been well beaten twice this campaign but given a chance by the handicapper he obliged by three and a quarter lengths.

"He's a nice little horse, but I thought the ground would be too soft," said winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies.

"He's very slick over his hurdles and Ryan (Hatch) gave him a good ride."