GB - Aintree - Race 5

Thoroughbred

7 Runners

20f

Group 1 Hurdle

Turf

Good to Soft

344.0K

VIEW

Verdict

There wasn't much between BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD and The New Lion when second and third in the Champion Hurdle last month, where both shaped as if a return to this longer distance will suit. Marginal preference is for Brighterdaysahead, who was an impressive winner of a Grade 1 over C&D as a novice. El Fabiolo probably has a bigger performance in him over hurdles and isn't taken lightly having skipped Cheltenham.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
6	Very smart mare who got her career back on track in no uncertain terms this winter, taking advantage of a below-par Lossiemouth for a fourth Grade 1 success in the Irish Champion at Leopardstown. Beaten only by that rival in Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham since and big shout back up in trip. 1st Pick 6 Brighterdaysahead (Fr) Jockey: J. W. Kennedy Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Ireland J: J. W. Kennedy T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland	100	-	-	-	34%	2/1
Analysis Very smart mare who got her career back on track in no uncertain terms this winter, taking advantage of a below-par Lossiemouth for a fourth Grade 1 success in the Irish Champion at Leopardstown. Beaten only by that rival in Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham since and big shout back up in trip.
5	Unbeaten in 4 starts as a novice and particularly impressive in Baring Bingham at Cheltenham. Put heavy comeback fall behind him when winning Grade 2 at Cheltenham. Ran up to best when third in Champion Hurdle after, shaping as if return to this longer distance will suit. Leading contender. 2nd Pick 5 The New Lion Jockey: Harry Skelton Trainer: Dan Skelton J: Harry Skelton T: Dan Skelton	98	-	-	-	36%	9/5
Analysis Unbeaten in 4 starts as a novice and particularly impressive in Baring Bingham at Cheltenham. Put heavy comeback fall behind him when winning Grade 2 at Cheltenham. Ran up to best when third in Champion Hurdle after, shaping as if return to this longer distance will suit. Leading contender.
2	Top-class chaser though often let down by jumping. Campaigned over hurdles this season, showing smart form when winning a couple of minor events. Probably has a bigger performance in him over the smaller obstacles and skipping Cheltenham could work in his favour. 3rd Pick 2 El Fabiolo (Fr) Jockey: P. Townend Trainer: W. P. Mullins, Ireland J: P. Townend T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland	91	-	-	-	17%	5/1
Analysis Top-class chaser though often let down by jumping. Campaigned over hurdles this season, showing smart form when winning a couple of minor events. Probably has a bigger performance in him over the smaller obstacles and skipping Cheltenham could work in his favour.

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Horse Racing Basic Terms

Scratch

A horse is a scratch when injury or other necessity causes it to be withdrawn from the race.

Exercise Rider

A rider built much like a jockey but is employed for exercising and working out horses in the morning.

Sloppy

A wet racetrack condition, typically with a firm base and water settling on top.