START YOUR OWN WINNING STREAK
Player Image
SportsBookLogo
Chevrons Texture
44 Min Till Start

GB - Aintree - Race 5

Thoroughbred
7 Runners
20f
Group 1 Hurdle
Turf
Good to Soft
344.0K

All race stats and comments are provided by numberfire. Complex algorithms are used to calculate stats like the power rating. Numberfire picks are provided by horse racing experts that work with numberfire.

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
#/SilkHorse#/HorsePower RatingHigh SpeedWin %Top 3%Win ProbOdds
6
Brighterdaysahead (Fr) silk

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
The New Lion silk

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
El Fabiolo (Fr) silk

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.

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.