16:05 Aintree 09 Apr 2026
William Hill Aintree Hurdle
Grade 1 | GBB Race | Class 1 | 4YO plus
Winner £140,325 - 6 run
- Winner
- Top 2 Finish
- Top 3 Finish
- W/O The New Lion
- W/O Brighterdaysahead And The New Lion
- W/O
- Insure 2 Places
- W/O Brighterdaysahead
- Finish Exactly 2nd
- Not To Win
When fourth beaten 9 1/2l in Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) at Cheltenham latest; effective 2m-2m3f, acts on soft and good to firm; highly progressive but probably vulnerable for the win at the top level.
Winner of five hurdle races from 1m 7f to 2m 3f on ground varying from good to firm to heavy. Finished 10l behind Lossiemouth when fourth of 9 at 22-1 on his latest outing in a Grade 1 hurdle race in the Group 1 Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham over 2m (good to soft) last month. Has won 3 times this season.
When fourth beaten 9 1/2l in Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) at Cheltenham latest; effective 2m-2m3f, acts on soft and good to firm; highly progressive but probably vulnerable for the win at the top level.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 10 | 5 | 2 | 50% | |
| Hurdle | 10 | 5 | 2 | 50% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| G | Similar Going | 8 | 3 | 2 | 37.5% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (T only) | 10 | 5 | 2 | 50% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 40% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Brendan Powell | 9 | 4 | 2 | 44.4% |
| T | J Tizzard | 10 | 5 | 2 | 50% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Winner of four G1s; outclassed rivals when winning the QuinnBet Hurdle at Leopardstown by 21l last time; effective 2-2 1/2m, suited by decent ground but acts on soft; top class at best, jumping an issue over fences, may do better in spring and unexposed over hurdles, player.
Has won four hurdle races and six chases from 2m to 2m 3f on ground varying from good - yielding to soft - heavy. Won on his latest outing in a hurdle race when 2-7fav at Leopardstown over 2m 2f (soft - heavy) last month, beating Soir De Garde by 21l.
Winner of four G1s; outclassed rivals when winning the QuinnBet Hurdle at Leopardstown by 21l last time; effective 2-2 1/2m, suited by decent ground but acts on soft; top class at best, jumping an issue over fences, may do better in spring and unexposed over hurdles, player.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 19 | 10 | 4 | 52.6% | |
| Hurdle | 7 | 4 | 2 | 57.1% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| C | Course | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| D | Distance | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| G | Similar Going | 16 | 9 | 2 | 56.3% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 19 | 10 | 3 | 52.6% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 38.5% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Paul Townend | 14 | 8 | 3 | 57.1% |
| T | W P Mullins | 18 | 10 | 3 | 55.6% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Yard has won 2 of last 5 runnings of race; hampered early and left poorly placed in race dominated from front when down the field in BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham most recent; top jockey back on board; effective 2 1/2m; classy hurdler, generally consistent, looks out of depth here.
He has won three hurdle races from 2m 3f to 2m 4f on ground varying from good to soft. Well beaten at 12-1 behind Jingko Blue when 12th of 24 on his latest outing in a hurdle race at Cheltenham over 2m 5f (good to soft) last month.
Yard has won 2 of last 5 runnings of race; hampered early and left poorly placed in race dominated from front when down the field in BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham most recent; top jockey back on board; effective 2 1/2m; classy hurdler, generally consistent, looks out of depth here.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 13 | 3 | 4 | 23.1% | |
| Hurdle | 11 | 3 | 4 | 27.3% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 3 | 1 | 1 | 33.3% |
| G | Similar Going | 14 | 3 | 5 | 21.4% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 14 | 3 | 5 | 21.4% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 25% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | N de Boinville | 5 | 2 | 0 | 40% |
| T | N J Henderson | 14 | 3 | 5 | 21.4% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Ran to form outclassing rivals when winning National Spirit Hurdle (Grade 2) at Fontwell by 2l last time; effective 2m-2m4f, acts on soft and good; in form, looks to have reached level over hurdles, could do well at G2/3 level but bit below top class.
Has won seven hurdle races and a NH flat race from 2m to 2m 5f on ground varying from good to heavy. Won on his latest outing in a Grade 2 hurdle race when 1-2fav in the Group 2 Star Sports National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell over 2m 3f (heavy) in February, beating Brewin'upastorm by 2l. Has also won at Windsor this season.
Ran to form outclassing rivals when winning National Spirit Hurdle (Grade 2) at Fontwell by 2l last time; effective 2m-2m4f, acts on soft and good; in form, looks to have reached level over hurdles, could do well at G2/3 level but bit below top class.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 11 | 6 | 2 | 54.6% | |
| Hurdle | 11 | 6 | 2 | 54.6% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| C | Course | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| D | Distance | 4 | 3 | 1 | 75% |
| G | Similar Going | 10 | 5 | 2 | 50% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 12 | 7 | 3 | 58.3% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 37.5% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Sam Twiston-Davies | 12 | 7 | 2 | 58.3% |
| T | Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies | 12 | 7 | 2 | 58.3% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Winner of two G1s; 7l third in Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) at Cheltenham most recent run where lacked speed of principals and conceded first run; trainer in form; effective 2m-2m5f, acts on soft, good to soft; top prospect, G1 class, may ideally want bit further than 2m, Aintree Hurdle could suit ideally.
Winner of five hurdle races and a NH flat race from 2m 1f to 2m 5f on good to soft and soft ground. Third of 9 behind Lossiemouth beaten 7l at 3-1 on his latest outing in a Grade 1 hurdle race in the Group 1 Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham over 2m (good to soft) last month.
Winner of two G1s; 7l third in Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) at Cheltenham most recent run where lacked speed of principals and conceded first run; trainer in form; effective 2m-2m5f, acts on soft, good to soft; top prospect, G1 class, may ideally want bit further than 2m, Aintree Hurdle could suit ideally.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 7 | 5 | 1 | 71.4% | |
| Hurdle | 7 | 5 | 1 | 71.4% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| G | Similar Going | 8 | 6 | 1 | 75% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 8 | 6 | 1 | 75% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 60% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Harry Skelton | 8 | 6 | 1 | 75% |
| T | Dan Skelton | 8 | 6 | 1 | 75% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Winner of four G1s including this in 2024; bit free in front when second beaten 6 1/2l in Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) at Cheltenham latest; got first run on The New Lion that day; effective 2m, acts on any but suited by cut; top class at best, not always the most reliable.
Has won eight hurdle races and two NH flat races from 2m to 2m 5f on ground varying from good to soft to soft - heavy. Beaten 7l by Lossiemouth when second of 9 at 7-2 on her latest outing in a Grade 1 hurdle race in the Group 1 Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham over 2m (good to soft) last month.
Winner of four G1s including this in 2024; bit free in front when second beaten 6 1/2l in Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) at Cheltenham latest; got first run on The New Lion that day; effective 2m, acts on any but suited by cut; top class at best, not always the most reliable.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 13 | 8 | 3 | 61.5% | |
| Hurdle | 13 | 8 | 3 | 61.5% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| CD | Course and Distance | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| C | Course | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| D | Distance | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| G | Similar Going | 13 | 8 | 3 | 61.5% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 15 | 10 | 3 | 66.7% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 58.3% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Jack Kennedy | 10 | 6 | 3 | 60% |
| T | G Elliott | 15 | 10 | 3 | 66.7% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Winner of two G1s; ran to form, likely as good as she is beaten 10l in Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) at Cheltenham last time; took that contest last year; in good form prior; effective 2m-2m4f, acts on soft, good; fortunate dual G1 winner but usually runs her race; unlikely to be reversing form with re-opposing rivals over this longer trip.
Has won seven hurdle races and a NH flat race from 1m 7f to 2m 4f on ground varying from good to soft. Finished 10l behind Lossiemouth when fifth of 9 at 12-1 on her latest outing in a Grade 1 hurdle race in the Group 1 Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham over 2m (good to soft) last month.
Winner of two G1s; ran to form, likely as good as she is beaten 10l in Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) at Cheltenham last time; took that contest last year; in good form prior; effective 2m-2m4f, acts on soft, good; fortunate dual G1 winner but usually runs her race; unlikely to be reversing form with re-opposing rivals over this longer trip.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 13 | 7 | 2 | 53.9% | |
| Hurdle | 13 | 7 | 2 | 53.9% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| C | Course | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| D | Distance | 2 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
| G | Similar Going | 16 | 8 | 3 | 50% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 16 | 8 | 3 | 50% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 41.7% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Lorcan Williams | 14 | 7 | 3 | 50% |
| T | J Scott | 16 | 8 | 3 | 50% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Verdict
Just half a length separated BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD and The New Lion when they chased home Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle and Gordon Elliott's mare is expected to confirm her superiority. There has been a suspicion that she has never been at her best at Cheltenham, but there was no disgrace in her effort last month and the seven-year-old boasts a much stronger level of form. Alexei was running really well until making a bad mistake at the last when fourth in the Champion and he will be a live threat if his stamina holds out, while Potters Charm arrives here following a brace of victories at Windsor and Fontwell.
Expert View Verdict
2024 winner Brighterdaysahead did best of those who raced in the Champion Hurdle last time and will appreciate this longer trip. However she did have the run of the race from the front that day and may find the ground on the quick side again here so THE NEW LION may be able to reverse the form. The International Hurdle winner's Grade 1 wins as a novice came over this longer trip and he lacked the tactical speed to get competitive over 2m at Cheltenham but did finish well having conceded first run. His jumping was an issue earlier in the season but he looks to have ironed out those mistakes and he remains relatively unexposed in open company so could progress again. The biggest danger to the re-opposing pair is likely to be El Fabiolo who has returned to hurdling in fine form this term after some jumping problems crept in over fences. The multiple Grade 1 winning chaser is completely unexposed in this sphere at high levels and his Grade 1 form here as a novice reads very well. The drier ground here is a positive and he's forgiven his defeat behind Gordon Elliott's mare at the DRF where he was far too keen.
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Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Good to Soft | 6 | Lossiemouth | 6 | 11 3 | - | 1-112F1 | 23 days | W P Mullins | Paul Townend | 5/ 4 | 4:59.15 | |
| 2024 | Soft | 8 | Impaire Et Passe | 6 | 11 10 | - | 111-223 | 67 days | W P Mullins | Paul Townend | EVENS | 5:18.37 | |
| 2023 | Good to Soft | 6 | Constitution Hill | 6 | 11 10 | - | 111-111 | 30 days | N J Henderson (180 miles) | Nico De Boinville | 2/ 15 | 5:03.09 | |
| 2022 | Good to Soft | 7 | Epatante | 8 | 11 0 | - | 23-3112 | 23 days | N J Henderson (180 miles) | Aidan Coleman | 2/ 1 | 5:10.42 | |
| 2021 | Good to Soft | 11 | Abacadabras | 7 | 11 7 | - | 2-2152F | 23 days | Mrs D Foster (210 miles) | Jack Kennedy | 5/ 1 | 4:58.15 | |
| 2019 | Soft | 7 | Supasundae | 9 | 11 7 | - | 21-2227 | 21 days | Mrs J Harrington | Robbie Power | 15/ 2 | 5:10.20 | |
| 2018 | Soft | 9 | L'Ami Serge | 8 | 11 7 | - | 212238 | 28 days | N J Henderson (180 miles) | Daryl Jacob | 5/ 1 | 5:05.20 | |
| 2017 | Good | 6 | Buveur D'Air | 6 | 11 7 | - | 31-1111 | 23 days | N J Henderson (180 miles) | B J Geraghty | 4/ 9 | 4:55.80 | |
| 2016 | Soft | 6 | Annie Power | 8 | 11 0 | - | 21F-111 | 23 days | W P Mullins | Ruby Walsh | 4/ 9 | 5:05.90 | |
| 2015 | Good to Soft | 6 | Jezki | 7 | 11 7 | - | 1-12234 | 30 days | Mrs J Harrington | A P McCoy | 3/ 1 | 4:48.20 | |
| 2014 | Good | 7 | The New One | 6 | 11 7 | - | 12-1123 | 23 days | N & W Twiston-Davies (140 miles) | Sam Twiston-Davies | 4/ 9 | 4:54.60 | |
| 2013 | Good | 9 | Zarkandar | 6 | 11 7 | - | 5F-1114 | 23 days | P F Nicholls (207 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 11/ 2 | 5:03.70 | |
| 2012 | Good | 5 | Oscar Whisky | 7 | 11 7 | - | 1-F1115 | 30 days | N J Henderson (180 miles) | B J Geraghty | 9/ 4 | 5:01.50 | |
| 2011 | Good | 8 | Oscar Whisky | 6 | 11 7 | - | 114-113 | 25 days | N J Henderson (180 miles) | B J Geraghty | 6/ 1 | 4:48.90 | |
| 2010 | Good | 7 | Khyber Kim | 8 | 11 7 | - | 00-5112 | 25 days | N & W Twiston-Davies (140 miles) | Paddy Brennan | 7/ 2 | 4:50.40 | |
| 2009 | Good to Soft | 16 | Solwhit | 5 | 11 7 | - | 931121 | 49 days | C Byrnes | Davy Russell | 6/ 1 | 5:00.30 | |
| 2008 | Good | 9 | Al Eile | 8 | 11 7 | - | 34213-7 | 36 days | J Queally | Timmy Murphy | 11/ 4 | 4:50.30 | |
| 2007 | Good | 13 | Al Eile | 7 | 11 7 | - | 6-22754 | 106 days | J Queally | Timmy Murphy | 12/ 1 | 4:48.40 | |
| 2006 | Good | 12 | Asian Maze | 7 | 11 0 | - | 211-12F | 25 days | T Mullins | Ruby Walsh | 4/ 1 | 5:07.80 |