Racecards
16:20 Aintree
Martell Cognac Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Class A)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 3m 110y
- Going: Good
- Form 2-11
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Mrs L Normile
- Jockey M Bradburne
soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
- Form F322
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Miss H Knight
- Jockey J Culloty
prominent to 4th, tailed off 8th
- Form 6-11121
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
in touch, headway 3rd, ridden to chase winner 10th, soon weakened
Iris's Gift
22- Form 111112
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey B J Geraghty
in touch, led 7th, not fluent 9th, clear 3 out, not fluent last, shaken up flat, stayed on
- Form 6-1232P
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer M Pitman
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
always behind, tailed off when hampered by loose horse and unseated rider after 8th
- Form 112112
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey D Elsworth
chased leaders, ridden to chaser winner 3 out, weakened approaching last
- Form 0-11124
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey W Marston
took keen hold, led to 7th, weakened 10th
- Form 1-1110
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey P Flynn
prominent, not fluent 2nd, soon lost place, rallied 7th, ridden to chase winner after 10th, weakened 2 out
In depth
Verdict
A good competitive field has been drawn together for the Martell Cognac Sefton Novices' Hurdle but it is virtually impossible to ignore the claims of Iris¿s Gift. His only blemish on an otherwise perfect record over hurdles is a three-quarter-length defeat inflicted at the Cheltenham Festival by Baracouda. He holds a huge advantage on the official BHB figures for the race and is taken to round off his season in style. Hardy Eustace and Pizzaro are obvious dangers as they are stepped up in trip today. But Royal Emperor has shown grim determination in each of his outings and he is taken as the best best for each way value.