14:20 Aintree 03 Apr 2025
Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle
Grade 1 | GBB Race | Class 1 | 4YO only
Winner £61,897 - 13 ran
jumped right, prominent, led briefly 1st, disputed lead 6th, led approaching 3 out, edged left before last, ridden and went clear from last, comfortably
took keen hold, jumped left, chased leaders, went second 3 out, ridden to challenge after 2 out, switched right round winner before last, hung left last, kept on, no match for winner
midfield, pushed along before 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on one pace flat
chased leaders, ridden when not fluent 2 out, plugged on one pace from last
wore hood to post, midfield, no extra from 2 out
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, no extra next
wore hood to post, towards rear, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, soon faded
took keen hold, midfield, slow 4th, ridden and weakened before 3 out
led, headed briefly 1st, disputed lead 6th, headed approaching 3 out where not fluent, soon weakened, pulled up before last
held up in rear, outpaced from 1st, blundered 3rd, struggling when hampered 6th, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, bad mistake 6th, held when fell 3 out
wore hood to post, mid-division, mistake 5th, soon struggling, pulled up before 3 out
took keen hold, held up towards rear, blundered 3rd, midfield when fell 6th
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | £43.30 (13, 6) |
| Tricast | £90.25 (13, 6, 9) |
| Win | £3.75 (13) |
| Place | £1.40 (13), £3.40 (6), £1.30 (9) |
| Swinger | £4.60 (6, 9), £9.10 (6, 13), £2.10 (9, 13) |
| Exacta | £56.00 (13, 6) |
| Trifecta | £168.70 (13, 6, 9) |
Expert Analysis
This had a substandard look to it beforehand, with none of the principals from the Triumph Hurdle showing up, and probably took less winning than usual, but Murcia did stamp her authority on the race like one who will make an impact against her own sex in open company next season. It was quite well-run on ground that was probably just about “good to soft” on the Hurdles Course, the winner’s final 4f of 55.84s translating to a close-to-par 104.1% finishing speed and those behind the first 4 completing quite slowly.
MURCIA (h144 here, 136 previously) returned to the level she had shown in France (was second only to Nietzsche Has in official juvenile ratings there at one point), but there had been distinct signs that she had retained at least useful form in her recent starts in any case, including when much worse off at the weights at Cheltenham the time before. She raced close up/disputing, awkward at a few early but forging on approaching the last and continuing to stay on well. She looks very likely to stay 20f given the chance and can make a mark in open company against her own sex.
LIVE CONTI (h143+ here, 125+ previously) looks about the most promising in the field despite being put in his place by the winner late on, tanking along just behind the leaders, jumping left 2 out and at the last then no extra late on. He should jump a fence in time.
PUTURHANDSTOGETHER (h142 here, 139+ previously) ran at least as well as when winning at Cheltenham (13 lb worse off with Murcia here) while giving the impression there still may be a bit more to come, travelling comfortably held up in touch but taking a while to respond 2 out before staying on.
GIVE IT TO ME OJ (h139 here, 122 previously) ran remarkably well, briefly looking like faring even better when improving from just behind the leaders after 3 out, then tending to edge left and no extra late on. His handicap mark will go up plenty for this.
WENDROCK (h125 here, 137 previously) looked short of pace in plugging on from mid-field.
FILIBUSTERING (h113+ here, 122 previously) shaped better than the result, well there for a long way.
MAMBONUMBERFIVE (h112 here, 128 previously)
GIBBS ISLAND (h106 here, 132 previously) had a hood on this time but again disappointed. Ordinary handicaps at around 2m seem to be his future.
AVIEMORE (h0 here, 127 previously) showed up in front rank for a long way.
COCONUT GROVE (h0 here, unraced hurdles previously)
NATURALLY NIMBLE (h? here, 136 previously) blundered badly 4 out and was still in rear when departing at the next.
TERRORISE (h0 here, unraced hurdles previously)
WILLY DE HOUELLE (h0 here, 140 previously) fell fatally around halfway.
Video Highlights
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Replay: 14:20 Aintree 3rd Apr 2025
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Soft | 5 | Sir Gino | 4 | 11 2 | - | 1-11 | 75 days | N J Henderson (180 miles) | Nico De Boinville | 11/ 10 | 4:23.99 | |
| 2023 | Good to Soft | 11 | Zenta | 4 | 10 9 | - | 3113 | 27 days | W P Mullins | Mark Walsh | 5/ 4 | 4:14.28 | |
| 2022 | Good to Soft | 9 | Knight Salute | 4 | 11 0 | - | 111119 | 20 days | M F Harris (214 miles) | Paddy Brennan | 14/ 1 | 4:17.85 | |
| 2021 | Good to Soft | 6 | Monmiral | 4 | 11 0 | - | 1-111 | 47 days | P F Nicholls (207 miles) | Harry Cobden | 10/ 11 | 4:12.60 | |
| 2019 | Good to Soft | 9 | Pentland Hills | 4 | 11 0 | - | 211311 | 20 days | N J Henderson (180 miles) | Nico De Boinville | 11/ 4 | 4:13.20 | |
| 2018 | Good to Soft | 10 | We Have A Dream | 4 | 11 0 | - | 441111 | 67 days | N J Henderson (180 miles) | Daryl Jacob | 2/ 1 | 4:15.40 | |
| 2017 | Good | 8 | Defi Du Seuil | 4 | 11 0 | - | 111111 | 20 days | P Hobbs & J White (233 miles) | B J Geraghty | 4/ 11 | 4:10.10 | |
| 2016 | Soft | 9 | Apple's Jade | 4 | 10 7 | - | 112 | 20 days | W P Mullins | Bryan Cooper | 3/ 1 | 4:16.50 | |
| 2015 | Good to Soft | 10 | All Yours | 4 | 11 0 | - | 4F125 | 29 days | P F Nicholls (207 miles) | Sam Twiston-Davies | 16/ 1 | 4:06.15 | |
| 2014 | Good | 15 | Guitar Pete | 4 | 11 0 | - | 212113 | 20 days | D T Hughes | Paul Carberry | 13/ 2 | 4:12.83 | |
| 2013 | Good | 10 | L'Unique | 4 | 10 7 | - | 4113 | 40 days | A King (186 miles) | Wayne Hutchinson | 10/ 1 | 4:06.60 | |
| 2012 | Good to Soft | 11 | Grumeti | 4 | 11 0 | - | 31F113 | 27 days | A King (186 miles) | R Thornton | 11/ 4 | 4:03.70 | |
| 2011 | Good to Soft | 9 | Zarkandar | 4 | 11 0 | - | 12311 | 20 days | P F Nicholls (207 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 4/ 6 | 4:02.70 | |
| 2010 | Good | 11 | Orsippus | 4 | 11 0 | - | 233123 | 22 days | M Smith (155 miles) | D Condon | 40/ 1 | 4:08.90 | |
| 2009 | Good | 13 | Walkon | 4 | 11 0 | - | 112112 | 20 days | A King (186 miles) | R Thornton | 2/ 1 | 4:02.70 | |
| 2008 | Good to Soft | 10 | Binocular | 4 | 11 0 | - | 442112 | 23 days | N J Henderson (180 miles) | A P McCoy | 11/ 8 | 4:04.00 | |
| 2007 | Good | 12 | Katchit | 4 | 11 0 | - | 121111 | 27 days | A King (186 miles) | R Thornton | EVENS | 3:59.60 | |
| 2006 | Good | 13 | Detroit City | 4 | 11 0 | - | 128111 | 20 days | P Hobbs & J White (233 miles) | Richard Johnson | 3/ 1 | 4:01.40 | |
| 2005 | Good to Soft | 13 | Faasel | 4 | 11 0 | - | 111122 | 20 days | N G Richards (100 miles) | Tony Dobbin | 11/ 4 | 4:11.50 |
