There’s a wide open renewal of the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree on Saturday, which is the race before the Grand National. Some of the leading staying hurdlers will line up for the coveted prize and here at GG we looking to point you in the right direction with our Liverpool Hurdle tips for the 3.05pm race.
Key Runners
FLOORING PORTER
(Gavin Cromwell)
A dual winner of the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, Flooring Porter has come up short when lining up in this contest, but with no Teahupoo lining up here, who won the Stayers’ Hurdle last month, then the classy nine-year-old will be well fancied here. He was a superb runner-up at Cheltenham a few weeks ago and has shown to be a real top notch staying hurdler in recent times, so has to set the standard.
SIRE DU BERLAIS
(Gordon Elliott)
A fine winner of this race 12 months ago, Sire Du Berlais continues to defy his age, as the 12-year-old continues to blossom at the highest level and is another prominent figure in the betting. Fifth in the Stayers’ Hurdle last month, the three times Cheltenham Festival winner will need to improve on that effort, but he has always shown a high level of form and this pretty mediocre renewal means he has to be considered.
HIDDENVALLEY LAKE
(Henry De Bromhead)
Last seen bounding to victory in the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle at Navan in February, Hiddenvalley Lake bypassed the Cheltenham Festival in favour of this contest and the improving seven-year-old will be looking to down his experienced rivals here. This is a notable step up for Henry De Bromhead’s runner here, but he is one of the only runners that has potentially more improvement in him, so has to be considered a major contender.
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Thu 11 Apr 2024CRAMBO
(Fergal O’Brien)
A gutsy winner of the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot back in December, Crambo has been one of the star stayers of the season, but he failed to land any sort of blow in the Stayers’ Hurdle when trailing in ninth place. He’s progressed through handicaps this season to become a top class stayer and if he can bounce back from that Cheltenham run then he has to be a huge contender and he’s another seven-year-old looking to get the better of his older adversaries.
The Field
Shark Hanlon has opted to send King George VI Chase hero Hewick to this contest instead of the Grand National and he’s a fascinating runner, while Strong Leader was last seen finishing third in a blanket finish to the Cleeve Hurdle in January at Cheltenham and is another class act. Buddy One, Monkfish and Dashel Drasher all have claims on their best form and add more depth to a race full of intrigue.
Big Race Verdict
It maybe a division devoid of top quality stayers at the moment, but Saturday’s Liverpool Hurdle should serve up a thriller and it can be the young stars that can sparkle on the big stage. Fergal O’Brien’s CRAMBO was a fine winner of the Long Walk Hurdle earlier in the season and he can take the honours, while fellow seven-year-old Hiddenvalley Lake can chase him home, with the veteran Sire Du Berlais finishing third.
- Crambo
- Hiddenvalley Lake
- Sire Du Berlais
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